The increasing usage of the internet is at an all-time high, particularly among the academia ever since e-learning, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) initiatives and free Wi-Fi access on campuses sprung up into the education system.
This evolution, however makes users vulnerable to large scale data breaches, ransomware attacks, uncertainties about the use of research data, cybercrimes, surveillance and other cyber threats these all waver the trust of users and in turn affects the way they use the internet.
The need to provide awareness and education on cybersecurity to academia who are potential targets for exploitation formed the basis of ESET ‘Secure School Initiative’.
ESET Secure School Initiative (ESSI) is designed to sensitize over 70% of the academia in Cybersecurity and the need for proactive protection of data, solution and devices.
University of Lagos was the first academic institution to take full advantage of the scheme where thousands of students and lecturers already have access to premium and total protection through the award-winning cybersecurity product of the year, ESET Internet Security which comes with great features such as internet and data protection, web control, antivirus, anti-phishing, anti-theft, private WiFi protection, internet banking and online shopping protection and ransomware protection.
The initiative was greatly applauded, AdekunbiAdenike, a corps member presently serving in the school said this initiative resolved all her fear about using her devices on the internet, accepting external drives or loss of device and sensitive data.
OlufemiAke, the country manager, ESET Nigeria and Ghana, during his visit to University of Lagos, encouraged the academic stakeholders to be IT security cautious.
He added that the turnout was massive and it shows how important the initiative is to the academic community at this time.
When asked if the initiative is only meant for individuals, he said that the ESET Secure School Initiative is structured to deliver end-to-end protection for the IT environment of schools, which covers Servers, networked endpoint/workstations and mobile devices.
He also used the opportunity to encourage all academic institutions in Nigeria to participate in this scheme as what they stand to enjoy is much more than special pricing but free IT security training for their IT administrators.
On his part, Mr. Olabanji Soledayo, manager, Marketing and Sales, ESET Nigeria and Ghana, further explained that initiative offers special and discounted pricing for networked IT infrastructure (Business Solution); free ESET internet security for desktop, laptop or smartphone users; unlimited access to IT security and device maintenance tips from ESET experts; special discount on all other ESET products at lowest possible price and free training on IT Security with certificate of participation.