A recent study discovered that leading figures in higher education are increasingly directing their attention to enhancing both tangible and digital security measures. This renewed focus is in response to the growing number of incidents targeting educational institutions, ranging from physical threats to attacks on their digital networks.

The Insights Student Experience Survey, presented by CBORD, gathered data from a multitude of students and leaders from higher education institutions nationwide. The results underscore the escalating concerns regarding digital threats faced by college campuses. In 2022, a prominent agency issued an alert to colleges and universities, revealing that sensitive login details were available for purchase online, setting the stage for potential subsequent attacks on these educational establishments. Furthermore, the possibility of on-site incidents has prompted institutional leaders to explore innovative technologies to better alert and educate students about possible dangers.

The research indicates that for approximately two-thirds of influential decision-makers in higher education, addressing challenges related to tangible and digital security stands out as one of their primary objectives in the coming years. It’s noted that almost half of these college leaders are gearing up to leverage automation in the ensuing two years to tackle persistent staffing issues while simultaneously unveiling new revenue opportunities for their institutions. Labor scarcity continues to be a pressing issue for these leaders as they envision reduced class sizes by 2025. Complementing these concerns, a significant proportion of higher education figureheads are strategizing to invest in systems that bolster security within their premises.

The insights were amassed through surveys orchestrated for CBORD by the market research agency KS&R. Participants spanned top-tier, multi-site decision-makers, heads of departments—chiefly from business operations, dining and culinary services, enterprise systems and support, purchasing and procurement, and infrastructure—along with students.