Ransomware and Cyber Insurance in Higher Education

As cyber threats for higher education proliferate and expand in scope, the landscape has evolved to include a variety of attacks and threat actors. Ransomware, in particular, is an escalating concern. With the advance of ransomware, cyber insurance has become an increasingly important tool in managing the associated risk. REN-ISAC is partnering with the University Risk Management and Insurance Association (urmia.org), to present a Tech Burst on the topic of Cyberinsurance and Ransomware. 

Join panelists as they discuss the relationship between cyber threats such as ransomware and the role of cyber insurance for higher education.

Speakers

Michael Davis, Principal Security Engineer, Research & Education Networks Information Sharing & Analysis Center (REN-ISAC)
Michael joined the REN-ISAC in 2019 and currently serves as a Principal Security Engineer. He acts as a technical liaison to the RI community and is responsible for technical services such as the CSIRT, SES, and partner integrations. Prior, he spent over a decade as an IT director for a small, private university in the piney woods of East Texas, culminating in the position of inaugural director for information security. His technology background is in desktop engineering and Windows, but he enjoys numerous facets of science and learning. Michael’s formal education is a B.S. in Technology Management from Texas A&M University, as well as post-baccalaureate classes in biochemistry, genetics, embedded systems, and machine learning. Michael’s MBTI is ISTJ, his RHETI is Type 1 (wings 9), and he’s a staunch advocate for the Oxford comma.

Jodi Ito, Chief Information Security Officer, University of Hawaii
Jodi Ito is the Chief Information Security Officer with the University of Hawaii (UH) System in the Office of the Vice President for Information Technology since 2000 and has been with the University since 1982. She is responsible for the security and protection of the information assets across the University of Hawaii System. She is a Principle Investigator and Program Director for the NSA's GenCyber Camps in Hawaii to introduce cyber security to high schools students and teachers. She is also the co-PI on the NSF/NSA Scholarship For Services grants to provide full-ride scholarships for students pursuing cyber security degrees and the NSF Computer Science Principles for Hawaii to train high school teachers to be able to teach AP Computer Sciences Principles. She is also member of the REN-ISAC, MS-ISAC, Educause and Infragard. Most recently, she is an active founding member of the newly organized CyberHawaii and co-chairs the Education and Workforce Development Committee. Jodi graduated with both BS and MS degrees in Computer Sciences from UH Manoa.

Ruth Rauluk, Director of Risk Management, Five College Consortium
Ruth Rauluk is the director of risk management for the Five College Consortium. Ruth manages the enterprise risk management, child safety, insurance and risk management programs of Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges, as well as for Five Colleges, Incorporated. She also manages the Collegiate Catalyst Fund, a captive insurance program that the four campuses and consortium own and operate.
Rauluk earned her MBA from Point Park University and holds a number of professional certifications, including an ARM and CPM designation. She is active in the University Risk Management and Insurance Association. While at Point Park University, she was the driving force behind establishing the university’s risk management, contracting, procurement, and compliance programs.

John Schwartz, Director of Risk Management, EIIA, Inc.
John Schwartz joined EIIA as Risk Management Director in 2016 to work directly with members and advance their ability to manage risks at on campuses. In early 2018 he was promoted to the position of Executive Director of Risk Management. Schwartz brings extensive experience in higher education administration to his role. Prior to joining EIIA, he served as the Director of Insurance and Risk at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. Schwartz also consulted with more than 150 colleges, universities, and large research institutions during more than a decade working at United Educators (UE). Prior to working with UE, Schwartz held risk management administrative positions at Iowa State University, where he helped lead the Office of Risk Management and coordinated the workers’ compensation program, Texas A&M University, where he coordinated the Student and Academic Affairs risk management program, and the University of Kansas, where he served as an Assistant to the Vice President for Student Affairs. Schwartz speaks and writes regularly on the topics of higher education law and risk management. Topics presented at national conferences and university campuses include employee harassment and discrimination, Title IX, student mental health, violence on campus, and crisis response. He holds B.A, M.A., and J.D. degrees from the University of Kansas.

Sharing Information

Audience: Public

Information Sharing Guidance: TechBursts marked with "MG" are open to members and hosted trusted guests of members. Because access to MG TechBursts require authentication with a REN-ISAC user-ID and password, guests must view the webcast with the member present. One marked "Pb" are open to the public . Ones not marked with MG or Pb are available to members only.