Why Zero Trust Is a Must-Have Strategy for Higher Ed Cybersecurity June 23rd, 2025 Reading time: 3 Minutes Did you know that 95  percent of higher education institutions targeted by ransomware in 2024 had their backups compromised? According to Sophos, attackers are increasingly focusing on backup systems to amplify impact and pressure victims to pay When hackers breach backups, institutions can face recovery costs averaging over four million dollars and weeks of operational downtime. This evolving threat underscores why perimeter defenses alone are no longer sufficient and universities must adopt a security model rooted in continuous verification. This shift calls for a model based on continuous verification and minimal trust. Zero Trust is not a buzzword. It is a strategic necessity. What Makes Higher Education So Vulnerable? Higher education institutions are unique in how they manage data and access. Students, faculty, researchers, staff, vendors, and even guest users interact with the institution’s digital infrastructure daily. From cloud-based research to shared Wi-Fi access across campuses, every layer of connectivity becomes a potential vulnerability. Most schools also support bring-your-own-device environments, which blur the lines between trusted and untrusted networks. Adding to this complexity is the academic culture that values openness. Unlike corporate enterprises that can lock down systems more rigidly, universities are tasked with balancing collaboration and accessibility with security. This balance is increasingly difficult to maintain using traditional security models. Why Zero Trust Works for Higher Ed Zero Trust operates on a foundational principle: trust nothing, verify everything. Instead of granting broad access to users inside a “trusted” perimeter, Zero Trust requires continuous validation of identities, devices, and actions across every layer of interaction. For colleges and universities, this approach helps limit the damage of a breach by containing movement, isolating risks, and ensuring that users only have access to what they absolutely need. It enables institutions to better manage identity, protect research, secure student data, and monitor activity without disrupting academic workflows. Key Challenges Institutions Face While the value of Zero Trust is clear, implementing it in a higher education setting is far from simple. Common obstacles include: Legacy systems that are incompatible with modern identity and access control frameworks Cultural pushback from departments or faculty who fear that new restrictions will slow down teaching or research Budget limitations that restrict access to experienced security teams or advanced tooling Fragmented IT environments where different departments use different systems, creating inconsistent policies and oversight These challenges often lead to hesitation. But delaying implementation leaves institutions exposed to phishing campaigns, ransomware, and unauthorized access that could jeopardize intellectual property or compromise sensitive student data. Building a Zero Trust Strategy Through Policy Before institutions can fully implement Zero Trust technologies, they need to rethink their cybersecurity policies. This shift starts with: Defining roles and responsibilities to control who accesses what and when Enforcing multi-factor authentication across all user groups and systems Monitoring behavior to detect anomalies, like unusual logins or data transfers Limiting third-party access to only what is necessary and ensuring proper auditing Encrypting sensitive data to prevent interception or misuse These actions form the backbone of Zero Trust. They also build the case for long-term investments in automation and advanced threat detection. Zero Trust as a Long-Term Discipline Zero Trust is not a one-time project. It is a security philosophy that must be integrated into the institutional culture. As technologies evolve and new threats emerge, policies and tools must adapt in tandem. This requires a commitment to continuous improvement, cross-functional alignment, and shared accountability. At a time when cyberattacks are becoming more targeted and costly, Zero Trust offers higher education leaders a proactive way to secure their institutions. It minimizes risk without halting progress and builds a stronger foundation for innovation, privacy, and trust. Final Thought Cybersecurity is not just a technical challenge. It is a leadership decision that shapes how institutions protect knowledge, build trust, and ensure continuity. Embracing Zero Trust is no longer optional. It offers a clear path to minimize risk, improve visibility, and safeguard the future of teaching and research. For higher education, it is not just about defense. It is about building a foundation that can adapt and endure. Contact us today to learn how we can help your institution strengthen its cybersecurity posture with confidence and clarity.

ERP Innovations in 2025: Real-Time Data and Security Are No Longer Optional August 28th, 2025 Campus leaders are tired of hearing “we’ll get that data to you by end of week.” When decisions need to be made fast, waiting days for a report isn’t just inefficient. It’s costly! For many higher education institutions, outdated ERP systems remain the invisible obstacle to operational agility, accurate forecasting, and student success. As we move deeper into 2025, the conversation around ERP in higher ed is no longer about if modernization should happen. It’s about how fast institutions can make the shift to systems that offer real-time data and comprehensive security as core capabilities. 1. Real-Time ERP Data for Higher Education Decision-Making Modern campuses generate vast amounts of operational and academic data, from enrollment trends and facility usage to budget tracking and alumni engagement. Without real-time insights, institutions are flying blind. Lagging data can lead to resource misallocation, delayed interventions for at-risk students, and misinformed leadership decisions. Forward-thinking universities are using ERP systems that enable live dashboards, predictive modeling, and self-service analytics for department heads, not just IT staff. The ability to forecast course demand or model tuition scenarios quickly isn’t just convenient, it’s strategic. 2. Higher Ed ERP Security: Moving Beyond Compliance Cyberattacks targeting higher education institutions have surged in recent years, with ransomware incidents disrupting entire campuses and leaking sensitive student data. ERP systems, often the digital backbone of finance, HR, and academics, are high-value targets. The shift we’re seeing in 2025 is not just toward ERP systems with built-in compliance features such as multi-factor authentication and encryption. It’s toward platforms that offer adaptive risk monitoring, anomaly detection, and role-based access governance. These measures ensure compliance with regulations like FERPA and GDPR, safeguarding student and institutional information. In this environment, security is no longer a checkbox, but an evolving capability that is constantly tuned to the threat landscape. 3. Cloud ERP Adoption in Colleges and Universities While higher education has historically lagged in cloud ERP adoption, the tide is finally turning. With cost pressures, staffing shortages, and the increasing need for flexibility, institutions are moving ERP infrastructure off-campus and into the cloud. What makes cloud ERP compelling is not just its scalability. It’s the ability to centralize disparate systems, standardize workflows across departments, and integrate seamlessly with student success platforms, learning management systems, and third-party analytics tools. For universities struggling with fragmented tech stacks, cloud ERP becomes the connective tissue that turns chaos into cohesion. 4. ERP Systems That Support Student Success and Institutional Goals The most important shift in 2025 isn’t technical, it’s philosophical. ERP systems are no longer viewed merely as back-office tools. They are being recognized as enablers of institutional outcomes. From supporting retention strategies with real-time academic progress indicators to enabling equity through improved financial transparency, ERP must serve the institution’s mission, not just its processes. Final Thoughts ERP innovation in 2025 is no longer about digital transformation for its own sake. It is about enabling institutions to act faster, operate smarter, and serve students more effectively. The gap between institutions that modernize and those that delay is widening. This gap is not only in technical capability but also in agility, equity, and overall student impact. For higher education leaders, the question is no longer “Is our ERP system working?” but rather “Is it helping us achieve the outcomes that matter most?” 1. Seeing AI in Action for Higher Education Artificial intelligence has moved beyond being a buzzword and is now proving its value in everyday campus operations. I am eager to see how institutions are using AI to improve both efficiency and outcomes, from automating routine IT tasks to helping admissions teams identify students who may need additional support. I am equally interested in how campuses are ensuring AI remains ethical, transparent, and aligned with institutional values. 2. Unlocking the Power of Data Insights and Integrations Data becomes more valuable when it is connected, accessible, and put to work in meaningful ways. EDUCAUSE offers a chance to explore how campuses are integrating data across academic, administrative, and financial systems to make decisions faster and with greater accuracy. When institutions connect their data effectively, they gain the ability to act with confidence and agility. One example is Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which partnered with OculusIT to transition from Tableau to PowerBI. By integrating dashboards, providing on-demand support, and training users, WPI was able to accelerate adoption and ensure smoother decision-making through connected data. 3. Learning from Innovative Partnerships Many of the most impactful changes in higher education happen through strong partnerships that combine campus expertise with the right technology. I look forward to seeing examples where these collaborations have improved access to resources, accelerated modernization, and delivered measurable results without creating additional administrative complexity. At OculusIT, we have more than 20+ CIOs and certified CISOs on staff who bring forward looking leadership and guidance to modernize technology and improve student success, making partnerships not just about implementation but about long-term strategy. 4. Exploring Campus Cybersecurity in the Age of AI Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly complex as both threats and defenses evolve with AI capabilities. I want to learn more about how institutions are using AI to detect and prevent attacks before they disrupt operations, and how they are making security measures both stronger and easier for users to navigate. 5. Bridging the Gap Between IT Strategy and Academic Goals A strong technology strategy should work hand in hand with an institution’s academic mission. I am hoping to hear stories of campuses where IT and academic leaders collaborate from the earliest planning stages, ensuring that technology investments directly enhance teaching, learning, and research outcomes. 6. Building Real-World Connections Some of the most valuable moments at EDUCAUSE happen in informal settings, where attendees share challenges, trade solutions, and realize that many institutions are navigating similar issues. These conversations often lead to partnerships and initiatives that create lasting impact long after the event ends. Why This Matters Beyond the Conference EDUCAUSE is not just another industry

Balancing Learning Analytics with Student Privacy in EdTech June 30th, 2025 Reading time: 3 Minutes When every click, quiz attempt, and log-in can generate valuable insights, how can institutions use that data to help students thrive without crossing lines that weaken trust? For higher education leaders, this is not just a technical question. It is a matter of balancing innovation with responsibility. Learning analytics has become a vital tool for colleges and universities working to improve retention, boost student engagement, and personalize the learning experience. As classrooms become more digital and AI tools expand what institutions can track and analyze, the volume of student data grows daily. Used well, this information can help faculty spot students who may need extra support long before grades slip. It can highlight what works in a course and what needs rethinking. It can even shape early interventions that keep students on track to graduate. But this promise comes with real responsibilities. The same data that helps students succeed can also raise questions about how much is collected, who can access it, and how securely it is stored. If students feel they are being tracked without clear consent, trust can erode quickly. The Trust Imperative Students generally support technology that makes learning better. They expect their college to use data to improve instruction and services. At the same time, they expect clear, honest communication about how their information is gathered, who can see it, and how it will be protected. A student might be comfortable sharing data that helps flag when they fall behind. They may not feel the same about information being shared with vendors or used in ways they did not agree to. For campus technology leaders, the challenge is clear: deliver the right insights while protecting student privacy every step of the way. Privacy and Compliance Privacy expectations are backed by laws and policies. Regulations like FERPA place strict limits on how student data is handled. Institutions must manage not only what they collect but how they store, process, and share it. This is why many institutions are re-evaluating how much information they gather. Some colleges now limit data collection to what directly supports learning goals. Consent forms are written in plain language. Contracts with third-party providers are checked more carefully to ensure partners follow the same privacy standards. Protecting privacy is not just about avoiding fines. A single misstep can damage an institution’s reputation and weaken the trust students and families place in it. Finding a Better Balance Colleges and universities that manage this balance well combine smart technology choices with clear, practical policies. One important step is to be selective about what data is collected. Gathering more information does not always lead to better outcomes, especially if it increases privacy risks. Focusing on data that directly supports student learning helps keep systems efficient and trust intact. Clear communication is just as vital. Institutions should explain what is collected, how it will be used, and why it matters. Students are more likely to feel comfortable when they understand the benefits and have opportunities to ask questions. Strong security measures protect data behind the scenes. This means using reliable systems that encrypt information, limit access to authorized staff only, and stay updated to prevent threats. Policies and practices should be reviewed and audited regularly to ensure they keep up with new technologies and evolving privacy standards. A one-time policy does not protect anyone if it goes stale on a shelf. Finally, privacy must be everyone’s responsibility, not just the IT department’s. Faculty, staff, and students need clear guidance on how to handle sensitive information and why it is worth protecting. A Culture of Trust Technology alone does not build trust. A culture that values privacy makes students more likely to engage fully with digital tools and share information that can help them succeed. When students know how data helps them, they see analytics as support, not surveillance. Institutions that build this trust do not just meet compliance requirements. They create learning environments where data works for students, not against them. Students who trust how their information is used are more likely to use digital tools, give honest feedback, and benefit from personalized support. Looking Ahead Learning analytics will continue to grow as colleges adopt new ways to personalize learning and support student success. Privacy standards and student expectations will rise just as quickly. Institutions that put privacy first are not only protecting themselves — they are protecting the futures of the students they serve. Finding this balance is not a one-time project. It is an ongoing commitment that sets institutions apart as leaders who use technology responsibly and keep students at the heart of every decision. Ready to strengthen student privacy while using learning analytics wisely? Contact us today to talk about trusted solutions for your campus.

How Colleges Leverage Summer to Upgrade IT Before Fall 2025 July 7th, 2025 Reading time: 3 Minutes When students pack up and campuses quiet down, colleges have an opportunity that’s bigger than just empty classrooms. For IT leaders, summer is the single best window to tackle the upgrades, migrations, and fixes that keep core systems stable when thousands of students return in the fall. But what exactly makes summer so critical for IT modernization, and how can institutions make the most of it before Fall 2025 brings students, faculty, and pressure back to campus? The Hidden Risks of Standing Still Higher education leaders understand the stakes. According to EDUCAUSE’s June 2025 QuickPoll, The Data-Empowered Institution, which includes upgrading legacy data systems, ranks as the top priority for institutional IT leaders. Yet many critical modernization projects still get pushed to the busy academic year when system downtime can disrupt enrollment, financial aid, and student success services. Summer is the only realistic window to take core systems offline for maintenance, patch known vulnerabilities, and test new configurations under minimal load. Skipping this window increases the risk of performance slowdowns, security incidents, and emergency fixes during peak demand. Why Summer Is the Smart CIO’s Power Season Summer upgrades are not just about maintenance. The colleges that treat summer as a strategic modernization season are the ones that protect themselves from bigger problems later. For example: Student Information Systems (SIS) and ERP migrations: Complex transitions often require weeks of testing and staff training. A quiet summer allows teams to catch issues before student records or payroll are impacted. Network and infrastructure updates: From replacing aging hardware to expanding secure Wi-Fi, these projects avoid costly outages when campuses are full. Cybersecurity improvements: Summer is the ideal time for vulnerability scans, penetration tests, and patch management. These steps are much harder to roll out mid-semester. Cloud transitions and integrations: Moving legacy apps to the cloud is less disruptive when user activity is low. Each of these upgrades brings one clear outcome: a more resilient, modern IT environment ready for the demands of a new academic year. Looking Beyond the Project List Too often, colleges approach summer projects as isolated tasks, but the institutions that get ahead use this time to align upgrades with long-term digital goals. Modernization is not only about what gets fixed today but about how IT can better support enrollment, student success, and campus growth tomorrow. CIOs leading this shift ask questions like: How will this upgrade improve service delivery for students? Does this modernization help reduce costs or free up IT teams for more strategic work? Are we building a roadmap to keep us competitive or just patching what’s broken? These conversations move summer from a season of catch-up to a launchpad for lasting change. What Happens Next Summer will always be a window of opportunity, but smart colleges treat it like a lever. They use downtime to shore up vulnerabilities, modernize systems that power every student touchpoint, and create breathing room for staff who need a head start before September. A proactive plan now means fewer surprises and smoother operations later. If you are mapping out last-minute upgrades or planning next summer’s roadmap, take this season seriously. It could make the difference between scrambling to fix issues in September or starting Fall 2025 stronger than ever. Ready to talk about your institution’s IT priorities? Contact us to learn how we can help you prepare for what’s next.

Data-Driven Leadership: Turning Campus Dashboards into Student Success Strategies Reading time: 4 Minutes Higher education institutions have more data than ever before, from enrollment figures and financial aid records to retention trends and course performance. Yet many campus leaders still struggle to turn this wealth of information into clear, actionable insights. The paradox is that while data is abundant, decision-making often remains slow, siloed, and reactive. In today’s competitive environment, colleges and universities cannot afford to operate without real-time, reliable insights. The shift from static reporting to dynamic dashboards and institutional research support is no longer optional. It is becoming a strategic advantage. Why Dashboards Alone Are Not Enough Most institutions already have dashboards in place, but common obstacles limit their value. Data silos across ERP, SIS, and LMS systems make it difficult to connect critical metrics. Manual reporting introduces delays and errors that frustrate leadership. Even when BI platforms exist, they are often underutilized, providing only surface-level numbers. And when dashboards are designed as one-size-fits-all, they fail to give presidents, CFOs, provosts, and enrollment leaders the tailored insights they need. The result is a leadership team that sees data but not the story behind it, making it difficult to act with confidence. Connecting Data to Student Success When dashboards and institutional research services are designed with strategy in mind, they become powerful tools for improving outcomes. Real-time enrollment dashboards can alert leaders to application trends or yield rate changes before they affect revenue. Automated financial aid reporting ensures compliance while reducing delays for students who depend on timely support. Predictive insights help advisors identify at-risk students early and intervene before challenges escalate. And for finance and operations, executive dashboards give presidents and CFOs a clear view of institutional health at a glance. These examples show that dashboards are not just about visibility. They are about aligning resources with priorities and ensuring the institution is positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive market. What Modern Institutional Research Looks Like Forward-looking campuses are redefining institutional research by pairing skilled analysts with advanced platforms. A modern IR approach often includes: PowerBI dashboards tailored for enrollment, aid, and student success Executive-level dashboards designed for presidents, CFOs, and cabinet leadership Automated reporting for IR offices, boards, and IPEDS complianceCross-platform expertise across Colleague, Banner, Workday, and other major systems The outcome is clarity. Leaders move beyond reactive reporting and gain the ability to make proactive, data-informed decisions that drive measurable change. The Impact of Stronger IR Services When institutional research is supported by the right tools and expertise, the benefits ripple across campus. Leaders experience faster access to critical insights, improved accuracy in reports, and greater confidence in decision-making. Departments are able to collaborate more effectively when they are working from a single, trusted source of data. Over time, these improvements enhance student services, streamline operations, and give leadership the clarity needed to guide institutional strategy with confidence. Strengthening Accreditation and Board Reporting Dashboards also play an essential role in accreditation and board-level reporting. Accreditation agencies increasingly expect institutions to demonstrate measurable outcomes across enrollment, retention, finance, and student success. Manually preparing these reports consumes weeks of staff time and increases the risk of errors. With automated dashboards, leaders can produce compliance-ready reports in minutes. Because the data is both real-time and auditable, institutions approach accreditation and trustee presentations with confidence. For boards and cabinet leadership, executive dashboards shift the focus from chasing numbers to engaging in strategy. Enabling Data Driven Leadership True data-driven leadership requires more than dashboards. It takes the right mix of technology, expertise, and strategy to ensure leaders are acting on accurate and timely information. Institutions that embrace this approach create environments where insights are delivered in real time, compliance reporting is less burdensome, and leadership teams can make decisions with greater confidence. By pairing experienced analysts with modern BI platforms, campuses can move from data collection to data clarity. The goal is simple: give presidents, CFOs, and provosts the insights they need to lead with confidence and align decisions with student success. Unlocking Student Success Through Data Driven Leadership Budget pressures, enrollment shifts, and accountability demands make it impossible to rely on outdated reporting processes. Data driven leadership is not about tracking numbers but about shaping strategy with confidence. Institutions that modernize their dashboards and invest in IR services will adapt faster, retain more students, and deliver on their mission. Those that do not risk falling behind as challenges mount. Data is one of higher education’s most powerful assets, but it only matters if it is put to work. By transforming dashboards into strategies, campuses can align leadership decisions with student success, financial sustainability, and institutional growth. OculusIT partners with colleges and universities to deliver institutional research services that provide clarity, speed, and actionable insights. Let’s connect to explore how your institution can move from data overload to data driven leadership.

From AI to Real-World Wins: My Top Goals for EDUCAUSE 2025 August 18th, 2025 Every year, EDUCAUSE brings together the brightest minds in higher education technology, along with plenty of coffee-fueled conversations. This year feels especially exciting. With AI adoption moving into practical applications, data integrations reshaping decision-making, and partnerships driving innovation faster than ever, EDUCAUSE 2025 promises more than informative sessions and a tote bag of giveaways. It is an opportunity to experience the future of campus IT up close. As I prepare for the event, I have been building my personal “must-see” list. It covers the big technology trends, the real-world strategies, and the kinds of hallway conversations that can spark game-changing ideas. Here are six reasons I am genuinely looking forward to EDUCAUSE 2025 and why I believe these topics matter for every higher education leader focused on technology, learning, and growth. 1. Seeing AI in Action for Higher Education Artificial intelligence has moved beyond being a buzzword and is now proving its value in everyday campus operations. I am eager to see how institutions are using AI to improve both efficiency and outcomes, from automating routine IT tasks to helping admissions teams identify students who may need additional support. I am equally interested in how campuses are ensuring AI remains ethical, transparent, and aligned with institutional values. 2. Unlocking the Power of Data Insights and Integrations Data becomes more valuable when it is connected, accessible, and put to work in meaningful ways. EDUCAUSE offers a chance to explore how campuses are integrating data across academic, administrative, and financial systems to make decisions faster and with greater accuracy. When institutions connect their data effectively, they gain the ability to act with confidence and agility. One example is Worcester Polytechnic Institute, which partnered with OculusIT to transition from Tableau to PowerBI. By integrating dashboards, providing on-demand support, and training users, WPI was able to accelerate adoption and ensure smoother decision-making through connected data. 3. Learning from Innovative Partnerships Many of the most impactful changes in higher education happen through strong partnerships that combine campus expertise with the right technology. I look forward to seeing examples where these collaborations have improved access to resources, accelerated modernization, and delivered measurable results without creating additional administrative complexity. At OculusIT, we have more than 20+ CIOs and certified CISOs on staff who bring forward looking leadership and guidance to modernize technology and improve student success, making partnerships not just about implementation but about long-term strategy. 4. Exploring Campus Cybersecurity in the Age of AI Cybersecurity is becoming increasingly complex as both threats and defenses evolve with AI capabilities. I want to learn more about how institutions are using AI to detect and prevent attacks before they disrupt operations, and how they are making security measures both stronger and easier for users to navigate. 5. Bridging the Gap Between IT Strategy and Academic Goals A strong technology strategy should work hand in hand with an institution’s academic mission. I am hoping to hear stories of campuses where IT and academic leaders collaborate from the earliest planning stages, ensuring that technology investments directly enhance teaching, learning, and research outcomes. 6. Building Real-World Connections Some of the most valuable moments at EDUCAUSE happen in informal settings, where attendees share challenges, trade solutions, and realize that many institutions are navigating similar issues. These conversations often lead to partnerships and initiatives that create lasting impact long after the event ends. Why This Matters Beyond the Conference EDUCAUSE is not just another industry gathering. It is where the ideas, relationships, and strategies that will shape the future of higher education IT begin to take form. I am attending with an open mind, ready to learn from peers, share insights, and return with approaches that can be applied immediately to strengthen the institutions we serve. If you are attending EDUCAUSE 2025, let’s connect and explore how we can collaborate to drive innovation and improve outcomes for your institution.