As key sectors like education and business ride the wave of digital transformation, virtual learning has become an innovative way to acquire essential skills and hone existing ones. A Forbes article on corporate eLearning highlights how this global industry sees an annual growth rate of 15% and is expected to reach a value of $50 billion by 2026. This market expansion can be attributed to how eLearning platforms do not just center the experience on content delivery, but also ensure engagement in education and discovery through options for both self-paced and collaborative learning.
Beyond the corporate context that helps employees prepare for career development and lifelong learning, eLearning can also be leveraged by educational institutions to improve content delivery effectiveness, flexibility, and accessibility across a wide range of courses, lectures, videos, exercises, and more.
Additionally, both corporate and educational applications of eLearning benefit from the use of digital credentials to recognize and validate learners’ skills and achievements. Compared to physical credentials that can be easily forged, lost, or stolen, digital badges and certificates provide students and professionals with a portable and verifiable way to share their accomplishments across social media and professional networks.
However, eLearning and credential management are not completely without disadvantages, as these tools can be subject to cybersecurity risks. Fortunately, such threats can be addressed through the effective measures discussed in this article.
Common cybersecurity risks and threats in eLearning
Companies or organizations deploy a learning management system (LMS) to create and manage online courses or rely on learning experience platforms (LXP) for a more modern and personalized learning experience. Regardless of which tool they integrate into their courses or training programs, an EdTech Magazine article notes the digital threats virtual learners may face. Such risks include phishing emails and scams that may compromise personal information and malicious actors gaining unauthorized access to learners’ devices and accounts.
If learners’ devices, platforms, and accounts are infiltrated by third-party actors and hackers, the privacy and security threats then extend to their digital identities and credentials. When usernames, passwords, certificates, keys, and other authentication information, it can expose learners’ identities and hinder their overall learning experience and outcomes, thus necessitating the cybersecurity strategies explained in the next section.
Tips for enhancing cybersecurity among companies and organizations
Train eLearners on best practices
A huge percentage of data breaches — whether from phishing scams or malware/ransomware attacks — can be attributed to human error. Students and professionals may fall victim to social engineering tactics deployed by hackers and malicious actors, as well as unknowingly downloading malicious software disguised as educational content. As such, it’s essential for companies and organizations utilizing eLearning to train all virtual learners on cybersecurity awareness.
A Harvard Business Review article on cybersecurity training explains that an effective program starts with a skills gap analysis to determine which knowledge and skills are needed to confront common cybersecurity threats in eLearning. Then, the next step is to develop a comprehensive course that covers topics like creating unique passwords, reducing the risk of malware/ransomware, and identifying phishing attempts and potential scams. Since cybersecurity threats tend to evolve as rapidly as new technologies and platforms, cybersecurity training must be an ongoing project with periodic monitoring, evaluation, and updates.
Use a VPN
Another effective way to invest in cybersecurity risk reduction and management is to remind virtual learners to use a virtual private network (VPN) when accessing the eLearning platform and using their digital credentials. A VPN server can protect confidential information, online learning resources, and digital certificates through data encryption.
Additionally, VPN provider NordVPN explains that IP packets can be leveraged by VPN servers to establish secure connections over public networks, which learners may use when engaging in remote and flexible learning. By encrypting sensitive data like the IP address and the actual information being transmitted, IP packets ensure that photos, videos, files, and other learning content reach their intended destination without interference from third-party actors and unauthorized cyber criminals.
Run phishing simulations
In addition to cybersecurity awareness training and VPN use, digital threats to eLearners and their digital credentials can be addressed with the help of applications that simulate these risks and, in turn, equip users with practical skills and techniques. Since phishing attacks are among the most common cyber crimes, focusing simulations on these real-world scenarios can help students and professionals build confidence in preparing for and responding to threats that may encounter while accessing learning resources.
For example, the simulated phishing platform KnowBe4 addresses the human element of cyber crimes through a security test that determines how many students or employees are prone to phishing attempts. The platform also utilizes a feature known as an Alert Button to teach learners how to protect themselves and report suspicious or potentially harmful emails or files. Through this comprehensive, new-school approach to recognizing phishing attacks and social engineering, KnowBe4 was ranked as one of the top software for security awareness training.
Choose a reliable credential management platform
Lastly, since digital credentials contain sensitive and personal information, companies and organizations utilizing them for eLearning must choose reliable software to create, distribute, and manage these assets. Sertifier is GDPR and ISO compliant and leverages blockchain technology for secure credentialing, ensuring zero data leaks and robust encryption. A previous post entitled ‘What is Credential Management’ notes that the best practices in controlling digital identities include encryption and the use of blockchain technologies, which the software Sertifier can fortunately provide.
As an industry leader in digital credential management, Sertifier enables organizations to transition from traditional, paper-based credentials to secure, verifiable digital badges and certificates. The platform also offers analytics capabilities and advanced security features, making the digital credentialing process safer and more streamlined. Explore Sertifier’s website to learn more about its digital credentialing solutions, features, and pricing.
