Doctums
Jonathan Fry - SVP of Global Sales and Partnerships
Trivigil
Mark McGinnis - Chief Evangelist
Chris Jordan - Chief Revenue Officer
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Jonathan Fry - SVP of Global Sales and Partnerships
Mark McGinnis - Chief Evangelist
Chris Jordan - Chief Revenue Officer
In a recent conversation hosted by Doctums' Jonathan Fry, cybersecurity experts Mark McGinnis and Chris Jordan from TriVigil painted a sobering picture: education is now the most attacked sector—outranking healthcare, finance, and even government. Higher education institutions hold an overwhelming amount of sensitive data—not just student information, but financial records, research data, and more. And yet, too many schools are still flying blind.
That’s why Doctums and TriVigil have joined forces: to help colleges and universities build secure, realistic, and budget-conscious defenses against today’s relentless threats.
Explore how Doctums supports digital transformation
Let’s start with the obvious: ransomware isn’t just about encrypting data and demanding cash anymore. Hackers are now patient. They infiltrate systems, linger undetected for months, and sell stolen data on the dark web—even after you’ve "recovered" it.
"You used to be able to go back to your backup," McGinnis explained. "Now you go back, and they’re still in there. It’s not a quick win anymore."
Layer that with unsecured Wi-Fi, remote access, legacy systems, and a rotating door of staff and student users—and you get a perfect storm. It’s no surprise education is now at the epicenter of global cybersecurity threats.
Want to understand the depth of exposure? TriVigil and Doctums offer comprehensive security assessments that help institutions figure out not just where their vulnerabilities are—but how to actually fix them.
Cybersecurity in higher education isn't just about protecting devices. It’s about protecting trust.
Universities house decades of sensitive data. From student and parent financial info to unpublished research, the value of what’s stored is enormous. But resources? Not so much. “Most schools aren’t Fortune 500s,” said McGinnis. “They’re doing the best they can with limited staff and even more limited budgets.”
Add in the cultural openness of higher ed institutions—welcoming campuses, open networks, public events—and you’ve got a challenge no generic cybersecurity vendor can fully grasp.
That’s why TriVigil focuses exclusively on education cybersecurity. They know the budgeting cycles, the staffing challenges, and the mission-driven nature of the work. Their three-pillar approach—people, policy, and preparedness—covers everything from fractional CISO support to policy creation and incident response training.
Yes, compliance matters. But security starts with people.
At Stanford, cybersecurity training is mandatory for everyone: faculty, staff, and students. Why? Because a phishing link or deepfake Zoom call can come for anyone. “There was a case where someone thought they were transferring money to their CEO,” McGinnis recalled. “Turns out it was a deepfake. They lost millions.”
That’s why campus-wide engagement is crucial. No exceptions—not even for the president. "You can’t have leadership opt out of MFA and expect everyone else to take it seriously," said Jordan.
The Doctums-TriVigil partnership isn’t just about services—it’s about simplification.
Together, they help institutions make smart cybersecurity decisions without overwhelming their teams. Whether it’s penetration testing, GLBA compliance, HECVAT reviews, or AI policy creation, they bring deep cyber expertise and the higher ed context.
Learn how Doctums builds institutional resilience
"We’re not trying to scare institutions into buying solutions," said McGinnis. "We just want to give them clarity: here’s what’s working, here’s what’s not, and here’s what you can do—yourself, with us, or with another partner."
In a field where a single breach can trigger class-action lawsuits, lose donor trust, and even shut down schools (yes, that’s happened), the biggest risk isn’t overreacting—it’s doing nothing.
Cybersecurity trends in higher education make one thing clear: action is no longer optional. Whether you’re dealing with staffing shortages, budget pressure, or outdated infrastructure, there is a path forward. The Doctums-TriVigil partnership is built to walk it with you.
So ask yourself: if an attack happened tomorrow, how prepared would you be?
Book a free cybersecurity consultation with Doctums + TriVigil today
Colleges and universities are now the most attacked sector for cybercrime, holding sensitive data but often lacking the resources and infrastructure to defend it.
Security must go beyond compliance to become part of the campus culture—starting with leadership. Doctums and TriVigil focus on simplifying cybersecurity, not overwhelming teams.
With threats growing more sophisticated, inaction can lead to severe consequences. The Doctums-TriVigil partnership offers realistic, budget-conscious strategies to act before it’s too late.
