Ransomware, malware, phishing, identity theft, and the odd spam from Nigerian princes - sophisticated cybercrime has made the task of securing our digital communications and platforms incredibly challenging. As we learn, work and interact partially or even entirely online, crime has inevitably followed. Jennifer Walbank, Director of Technology and Information Systems at The College of Law, is all too familiar with these challenges. In a career that has spanned the Royal Australian Navy, Apple Inc, the University of Technology Sydney and The College of Law, Walbank has seen IT emerge from room-sized computers powering large, well-resourced organisations to its domestication for personal use - as desktops and laptops, to more recently, smart phones and tablets. Learning, in turn, has become more accessible and affordable than ever. 

Insights spoke to Walbank about how major organisations keep pace with rapid and revolutionary technological changes, as well as the challenges ahead.

“All my roles have been education driven, involving a great deal of educational technology,” observed Walbank. As a Senior Systems Operator for the Royal Australian Navy, Walbank ran computer simulations to help train Principal Warfare Officers, guiding naval leadership through training scenarios. Her career then took her to higher education, managing university IT divisions, before switching to Apple Inc to consult universities on how academics and students might best engage the latest innovations in educational technology.

For major organisations, the overwhelming challenge is constant change. “You have to stay relevant, keep up with change and embrace it,” she said.

With this in mind, Walbank recently attended CISCO Live 2017 to discuss the College’s implementation of advanced malware protection across its Learning Portal, Student Management System and broader network, including data centre and server platforms. 

“With the advent of the internet and email being essential for business, these technologies have now become the main route for cybercriminals to spread malicious software,” she observed. “These two gateways cannot be shut. They are the paths to our services, information, research and communication.”

It’s a conundrum that faces every large public-facing organisation. The response: three new technological capabilities. 

“Cisco Email Security checks all attachments and content for known or suspicious content; for example, emails from the ATO or Post Office inviting you to clicks links – either to capture username and password information or to release malicious ransomware.

“Cisco Web Security blocks sites with known content issues (as per our fair use policy) and adware; these are well-known hiding spots for delivering malicious software.

“Cisco Umbrella or OperDNS helps us monitor and block known malicious traffic – for example, bitorrent.”

“In addition, we added Advanced Malware Protection to every endpoint – for example, laptops, desktops, server, network equipment. Should any endpoint become infected, the equipment is automatically quarantined. As a final defensive measure, each endpoint is protected by cloud analytics that checks to see if any file or executable is a known issue in the malware world.”

In short, it is an approach which anticipates predominant online risks while allowing for the free flow of communication, classroom learning and constantly internet-connected devices essential to higher education.

As Director of Technology and Information Systems for four years, Walbank has led The College of Law through a period of major digital transformation. In addition to thriving through technological change, Walbank credits working in higher education for inspiring her to stay relevant. 

“I have always seen higher education as an idealistic goal, having spent a career in innovative and engaging educational technologies,” said Walbank. To stay ahead of ever-evolving technology, Walbank said she need to remain “truly engaged and passionate about your role and what you do.

“You need to look at all the technology available; there’s a plethora of technology tools out there so it is really important that business strategy guides you to determine the right ones – cloud technology is a current example.”