Case Studies: Transforming Campus Security with uTrust FIDO2 Security Keys

August 22, 2023

The modern education landscape is digitally dominated. Creating a secure environment is more critical than ever. As institutions across the globe seek innovative solutions to their cybersecurity challenges, Identiv's uTrust FIDO2 Security Keys are emerging as a game-changer.

Here are four case studies delving into the transformative impact security keys have on campus security across various institutions. By examining real-world scenarios, we'll explore how uTrust FIDO2 Security Keys have strengthened cybersecurity, simplified access management, and promoted a safer, more efficient learning experience within the education sector.

1. Large University Campus

In a large educational institution, hundreds of professors, staff, and students need secure access to various digital resources, including course management systems, library databases, grading systems, and personal information. Password management becomes a nightmare, with forgotten passwords, password reset requests, and the constant threat of data breaches.

To tackle these challenges, the university implements Identiv’s uTrust FIDO2 NFC Security Keys for secure, passwordless authentication.

  • Eliminating the Password Problem: Every individual on campus, including faculty, staff, and students, are issued their own uTrust FIDO2 Security Key. This key replaces the need for passwords when accessing university systems, instead using multi-factor authentication to ensure the individual's identity. This dramatically reduces password reset requests and the overall administrative burden related to password management.

  • Enhanced Cybersecurity: The FIDO2 security keys resist phishing attacks and data breaches, ensuring the security of sensitive personal and academic information. Since the cryptographic keys are stored on the device and are unique for each website, they can't be used to track users across different sites or be stolen for malicious purposes.

  • Key Management: Using the uTrust Key Manager Software, the university IT team can easily manage and configure each key. They can load shared secrets via OTP for decryption of information, or load digital certificates, set PIN/PUK, or set/change keys via PIV.

  • Broad Compatibility: The keys are used not only for university systems but also for other services like Gmail, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc., that faculty and students might use for academic collaboration, thus creating a seamless and secure digital experience.

  • Contactless Sign-On: With NFC functionality, the keys provide a convenient contactless sign-on option, particularly useful in shared computer labs or for those using university tablets or laptops.

By implementing the uTrust FIDO2 NFC Security Keys, the university boosts its cybersecurity, improves user experience by eliminating the need for passwords, and saves administrative time and effort, all while staying compliant with regulations.

2. Remote Learning and Examination

In the era of increasing online learning and remote examinations, the need for secure and authenticated access to learning materials and online test platforms is paramount.

  • Secure Remote Learning: With uTrust FIDO2 Security Keys, each student is granted secure access to the learning management system (LMS) or online classroom without the need for a password. The key verifies the student's identity, preventing unauthorized users from accessing the resources. It also ensures that student data stored on these platforms remains secure.

  • Online Examinations: When it comes to online examinations, maintaining the integrity of the process is a top priority. With these security keys, institutions can be confident that the student logging into the examination portal is indeed the correct individual. Moreover, the keys make it more difficult for students to share access to their accounts, reducing the possibility of malpractices such as having someone else take the exam on their behalf.

  • Research Data Protection: For universities conducting high-stakes research, protecting the integrity and confidentiality of the research data is critical. uTrust FIDO2 Security Keys ensure that only authorized researchers can access the sensitive research data, thereby preventing data breaches and intellectual property theft.

  • Library Access: Digital libraries often contain numerous resources that are limited to students and faculty members of the institution. These security keys can be used to provide secure, passwordless access to these resources, ensuring they are only used by the authorized individuals.

In all these cases, the uTrust Key Manager Software lets the institution easily manage the keys, configure FIDO2, OTP, and PIV functionality, and load shared secrets or digital certificates as needed. The combination of ease-of-use, enhanced security, and improved user experience makes the uTrust FIDO2 NFC Security Keys an ideal solution for addressing the unique challenges faced by the education sector in the digital age.

3. Inter-Institution Collaboration

Universities and educational institutions often collaborate on joint research projects, shared courses, or resource pooling. In these situations, ensuring secure access to shared digital resources is vital.

  • Joint Research Projects: For collaborative research efforts, the uTrust FIDO2 Security Keys can provide secure, passwordless access to shared research data and resources. This ensures only authorized researchers from each institution can access the shared data, preventing data breaches or unauthorized access.

  • Shared Courses: In cases where institutions share courses or faculty, these keys allow for seamless and secure access to shared teaching resources, platforms, and student data across different institutions. This provides an enhanced user experience for faculty and ensures the security of shared digital resources.

4. Administrative Security

Educational institutions house a lot of sensitive data that extends beyond student data and research. This includes employee information, financial data, confidential emails, strategic plans, and more.

  • Staff and Faculty Authentication: uTrust FIDO2 NFC Security Keys ensure that only authorized staff and faculty can access sensitive administrative data, helping prevent data breaches or unauthorized access.

  • Financial Transactions: For financial departments or any others that handle monetary transactions (like tuition payments or grants), these keys provide a secure authentication method. This can prevent fraudulent transactions, enhance financial data security, and maintain institutional integrity.

In both scenarios, the features of the uTrust FIDO2 NFC Security Keys and uTrust Key Manager Software ensure high security, efficient management of keys, and a seamless user experience for all involved parties.

Save 30% Today

As this case study has shown, uTrust FIDO2 Security Keys are more than just a cybersecurity solution: they're a crucial tool for modern education. Through enhancing access management and securing sensitive data, these keys are transforming campuses and empowering the educational journey.

Use coupon code EDSAVE30
SAVE 30% ON SECURITY KEYS

In recognition of the important role that these keys play in the education sector, we're pleased to offer a special 30% discount off MSRP to all students, faculty, and educational affiliates. It's easier than ever to integrate the uTrust FIDO2 NFC A/C Security Keys (SKUs: 905601, 905602) into your institution. 

Learn more and don't miss this chance to revolutionize your campus security with a solution that is not only strong and robust, but also cost-effective. Step into the future of secure education today with uTrust FIDO2 NFC Security Keys!