AGH University of Science and Technology
AGH University of Science and Technology
04/14/2025 | News release | Distributed by Public on 04/14/2025 05:38
SOC4Academia Toolbox – Strengthening Cybersecurity in Academia
As the academic and research sector has been increasingly facing global cybersecurity threats, a groundbreaking initiative is providing vital support. Developed by the SOCCER Consortium, the "SOC4Academia Toolbox" offers universities and research organizations a comprehensive guide to establishing and managing Security Operations Centres (SOCs).
Addressing the Research Security Challenge
Universities and research institutions are not only centres of learning but also hubs of innovation. However, their openness and collaborative nature make them attractive targets for cybercriminals. According to data, the academic sector experiences over 3,800 cyberattacks weekly, surpassing government and healthcare sectors. These threats jeopardize research integrity, financial data, and personal information.
"The world is going through tangible turbulence caused by a combination of conventional and unconventional threats. The period of relative peace has ended with the return of war to Europe and with cybersecurity threats reaching the highest level in history. The academic sector is, in fact, at the centre of this turmoil due to its critical role in developing emerging and disruptive technologies, which have recently become powerful tools in the geopolitical struggle between major global actors. These technologies have become both the drivers of economic growth and the foundations of the modern defense sector," emphasizes Izabela Albrycht, project leader of SOCCER, in the foreword to the "SOC4Academia Toolbox".
The timing of this publication coincides with Poland's EU Presidency under the theme "Secure, Europe!", highlighting the urgency of strengthening cybersecurity across all sectors, including academia.
What Does the SOC4Academia Toolbox Offer?
This comprehensive resource supports universities by:
- analyzing cybersecurity threats unique to academia, particularly intellectual property protection and research data security,
- addressing compliance with EU regulations, including the NIS2 Directive and GDPR,
- providing practical guidance on SOC implementation, covering technical architectures, organizational models, and digital forensics,
- and offering budgeting strategies and training recommendations to develop skilled cybersecurity personnel.
Key Components of the Toolbox
The SOC4Academia Toolbox includes:
- SOC Models in Academia (different SOC structures, service models, and organizational placement),
- Maturity Models for SOCs (Security Incident Management Maturity Model (SIM3) and assessment tools),
- SOC Organizational and Environmental Requirements (legal frameworks, personnel roles, and compliance challenges within EU academia),
- SOC Technical Architectures (logging systems, network configurations, and security tool requirements),
- Digital Forensic and Incident Response (DFIR) (incident handling and forensic investigations in academic environments),
- Software and Hardware Solutions Review (analysis of SIEM, SOAR, EDR, XDR, vulnerability management, and monitoring tools).
Empowering Universities for a Secure Future
More than just a technical manual, the "SOC4Academia Toolbox" serves as a strategic roadmap for universities and research organizations to build resilient cybersecurity frameworks, protect intellectual property, and foster trust in digital research environments.
The "SOC4Academia Toolbox" is available free of charge and can be downloaded from the official SOCCER project website.
About the SOCCER Consortium
The SOCCER Consortium unites academic institutions from five Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries: Poland (AGH University of Krakow & AGH University Cybersecurity Centre, Jagiellonian University, University of Agriculture in Krakow), Czechia (Tomas Bata University in Zlín, Masaryk University Brno, CESNET), Slovakia (Univerzita 'Pavla Jozefa Šafárika' v Košiciach), Estonia (Mykolas Romeris University), and Lithuania (University of Tartu).
The SOCCER project is funded under Grant Agreement No. 101128073 and is supported by the European Cybersecurity Competence Centre.