BPM Analytics
Stopping fraud in education: Essential prevention tactics
In today's era, where digital technology is an integral part of every aspect of our lives, educational institutions are also moving from physical to online platforms. As this move brings about a host of advantages, including easy access to quality education, self-paced learning experiences, and adaptive learning, it has also opened doors for potential education fraud. Whether it is “ghost students” misappropriating financial aid or malicious agents compromising sensitive student information, institutions must focus on anti-fraud tactics in education to protect themselves and the students.
Common types of education fraud
Educational institutions often have access to sensitive information, including students’ personal and financial details, and have access to financial resources to offer scholarships, financial aid, and other services to the students. This makes them lucrative targets for cybercriminals intending to steal the data or commit other types of fraud.
The threat of education fraud has evolved from lost IDs, on-campus thefts, and stolen documents to more sophisticated frauds with devastating consequences. Some of the most common types of fraud in modern education institutions include:
- Malware attacks
- Social engineering attacks
- Student loan fraud
- Fake scholarship applications
- Identity theft
- Certificate or credential fraud
Preventing fraud in education
Universities and educational institutions are often on the receiving end of these fraud attempts and cyberattacks, which can result in not only resource misappropriation but also in a subpar learning experience for genuine students. As a result, the onus of preventing fraud in education falls on the shoulders of these institutions in order to protect their resources and reputation while safeguarding the students.
Some of the key anti-fraud steps educational institutions can take include:
Empowering the community
One of the foremost and most effective strategies to combat education fraud is through comprehensive training and awareness for both students and staff. Institutions can foster and empower a vigilant community by educating them on various forms of fraud, how to detect potential threats, and resources to mitigate them.
Strengthening security protocols
In addition to community awareness, implementing advanced security systems to protect sensitive information also fosters a culture of security. This includes the use of encryption, firewalls, and fraud detection tools to identify and rectify suspicious activities in real time. Regular monitoring and updates to these security measures are also essential to keep up with the evolving threats and vulnerabilities and maintaining a resilient system.
Enhancing identity verification
Enhancing identity verification through multi-factor authentication or biometric identification (fingerprints or facial recognition) can significantly reduce fraud in education by ensuring only authorised personnel (students or staff) can access university resources. This is crucial in preventing unauthorised access, especially during enrolment and examinations.
Utilising cutting-edge technology
Incorporating cutting-edge technology solutions like blockchain technology, digital signatures, and AI-powered fraud detection can significantly enhance the integrity of academic records, certifications, and other necessary documents. These solutions offer a tamper-proof way to verify credentials and identify anomalies that might indicate certificate fraud or other suspicious activities.
Establishing centralised verification systems
Developing a centralised verification system that consolidates information across different departments of the university can streamline the process of student identity and credential verification. This will help break down data silos and help institutions ensure all records are consistent and detect discrepancies quickly to minimise the risk of education fraud.
Fostering collaboration
Fostering collaboration among concerned stakeholders – including educational institutions, government agencies, and cybersecurity experts – is vital for understanding the best anti-fraud practices for educational institutions. These stakeholders can create a more formidable defence against education fraud and develop strategies to respond to emerging threats through collaborative efforts.
Adopting these essential tactics can help universities and educational institutions significantly reduce the risk of fraud in education and ensure a safer learning environment for all students.
How can Infosys BPM help prevent education fraud?
As educational institutions continue to move towards digital platforms, education fraud continues to pose significant challenges to universities and institutions seeking to maintain integrity, transparency, and trust. Infosys BPM offers comprehensive fraud management solutions for edutech platforms that leverage new-age analytics and automation solutions to improve efficiency, combat fraud in education, and reduce revenue loss. With services encompassing edutech analytics, due diligence and automation, and digital edutech ops, educational institutions can ensure instant and remote verification, net zero error rates, efficient workflow management, and cost reduction to eliminate vulnerabilities and ensure a safe learning environment for all students.
