LMS Cybersecurity: 3 Serious Risks and How to Avoid Them

EDITOR’S NOTE: Because extended enterprise learning involves multiple disciplines and perspectives, we sometimes invite experts from other organizations to share their insights. Today, Zachary Amos, Features Editor at ReHack Magazine, looks at the importance of LMS cybersecurity and how learning leaders can protect against potentially devastating security threats.

Cyberattacks Are a Clear and Present Business Danger

At companies around the world, cyberattacks are wreaking havoc, with no end in sight. During 2024, 83% of companies have experienced material security breaches. And the frequency of attacks only continues to increase. What does this mean for corporate learning management systems (LMS) and the training programs they support? Let’s take a closer look.

How LMS Cybersecurity Fits In

With the rise of cloud computing throughout the past decade, many organizations embraced digital learning systems to help train employees, customers, business partners and other audiences. LMS platforms make it much easier to deliver hybrid learning experiences at scale. But wherever these systems are deployed, cyberattacks are a constant threat.

Research says that 72% of organizations have deployed a digital learning platform. In addition, 87% of training participants currently rely on a web browser for access to instructional content. Because data protection and cybersecurity are vital in the battle against malicious attacks, learning systems must safeguard the information they share and store.

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What’s at Stake?

Malware, phishing, ransomware, credential abuse, denial-of-service attacks and related threats are taking a massive toll on businesses. Globally, the average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million this year — a 10% increase over 2023. That’s the highest level ever.

Compromised companies must dig deep to cover multiple expenses:

• Immediate response teams to put out fires
• Communications with everyone affected
• Tools and techniques to recover IT assets and restore systems integrity
• Experts to identify root causes and establish future preventative measures
• Costs of changing vendors and reinforcing infrastructure
• Hefty regulatory fines
• The current and future value of stolen intellectual property
• Damage to brand reputation — lost customers and reduced profits

Because learning systems are typically integrated into an organization’s broader tech stack, LMS vulnerabilities can open the door to the entire ecosystem. This is why it’s particularly important to ensure protection from all angles.

Top LMS Cybersecurity Threats

Like any other software product, learning systems can be compromised intentionally or unintentionally in a variety of ways. Three of the most prevalent challenges include:

1. Phishing

Phishing is a massive worldwide phenomenon, with 94% of organizations forced to address phishing attacks this year, alone. This is a type of social engineering attack, where hackers trick victims by sending them seemingly harmless emails or text messages. When LMS users reply to this content or click on embedded links, they may unknowingly supply hackers with personal information or expose the entire system to data theft.

2. Malware

Another looming online threat is malware. Through files, code or software designed to disrupt digital platforms, this kind of attack exploits system vulnerabilities to steal information, damage files, prohibit user access or even take control of the system. LMS platforms are a common target for malware because they store vast amounts of sensitive data about employees, customers, partners and others from across a business ecosystem. This is a central reason why learning systems typically require extensive budgets for tools and personnel to manage cybersecurity.

3. Data Breaches

Because LMS platforms are so data-rich, they’re also prime targets for criminal data breaches. These incidents often involve intentional data theft. It happens when people without permission or access hack into a system and compromise confidential data. Typically, these criminals sell the data they acquire on the dark web. This kind of attack is particularly dangerous because stolen information can still be shared, used and manipulated years after the initial incident.

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How to Identify LMS Cybersecurity Risks

To spot potential security issues when you’re online, look for these telltale signs:

• Suspicious offers and unexpected requests to sign in, sign up or submit personal information
• Your system or browser unexpectedly slows down or crashes
• Abnormal advertising activity, such as inappropriate ads, increased frequency or ads appear in previously empty spaces
• New websites or pages launch when you haven’t intentionally opened them
• Emails arrive from a suspicious sender address
• Suspicious attachments ask you to click a link for access to content

Essential Features for a Safe LMS

Malicious attacks often occur when systems lack sophisticated capabilities to combat these issues. In today’s world, there are many ways to safeguard an online learning environment. To ensure that an LMS is secure and resilient, it must include a robust, multi-level threat identification and protection system.

Many LMS cybersecurity capabilities help ensure data protection, user privacy and system integrity. These are four of the most valuable features:

1. Data Encryption

Data encryption makes existing data unreadable to others and protects it from unauthorized access while being transmitted or stored in the system. The LMS essentially scrambles data and creates a key that only authorized individuals can use for access to system information and functionality. This strengthens security by making it harder for criminals to access login credentials, course-related data and personal information.

2. User Authentication

User authentication involves setting passwords and usernames to establish a primary defense against cyberattacks. It prevents unauthorized access, data theft and identity impersonation. Many types of user authentication exist, including:

• Multi-factor
• Token-based
• Biometric
• Passkeys
• Just-in-time access

3. Privacy and Access Controls

Organizations can set restrictions permitting only specific authorized individuals to access various types of data. This is called access control. There are three basic types:

• Role-based access: An administrator creates roles for system users and assigns permissions according to these roles. (For example, roles could include administrators, instructors, managers and learners.)

• Attribute-based access: This kind of control permits access based on specific attributes. (For instance, only individuals enrolled in a specific course can access certain files. Or the system may grant access to various levels of content depending on an individual’s geographic location, skill level or department.)

• Discretionary access: This is when an administrator is responsible for deciding who has access to data, and at what levels. (In other words, an instructor may be able to choose which individuals can see their assessment scores, or a course creator may be able to determine which learners can access specific modules within the course, based on their interests or experience.)

4. Frequent Security Audits and Updates

Complex enterprise ecosystems are continuously changing. So are the teams that manage and administer these systems. That’s why regular security audits and updates are vital. They can ensure your LMS is resilient and remains protected from new and evolving threats.

A comprehensive audit includes testing by experts who use various methods to gather information about LMS data and infrastructure weaknesses. When they pinpoint holes in your defenses, you can more easily work to monitor and resolve them.

Many LMS vendors provide these services as part of their solution. However, your organization can also implement these capabilities independently.

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Strategies to Improve LMS Cybersecurity

LMS platforms make learning much more relevant and accessible for a much broader audience. However, they also come with significant threats that underscore the need to protect learners, as well as organizational interests.

To ensure data safety and stay ahead of cybersecurity industry innovation, it’s imperative to comply with appropriate regulations and adopt strict security practices. Start with these steps:

• Insist upon secure systems and protocols: Hire proven security providers to protect your system and fight threats efficiently. You can also hire a backup service provider, so you’ll have a data recovery alternative if an attack occurs.

• Train all stakeholders: No matter how sophisticated your cybersecurity software is, human supervision and awareness are also vital to avoid online attacks and data loss. You’ll want to educate employees, customers and partners, alike, so they’re aware of cyber threats and how not to expose valuable data.

• Create and enforce cybersecurity policies: Foster a conducive environment for everyone by implementing actionable guidelines. This should include password creation and management standards, a list of restricted websites, data backup rules and incident reporting procedures.

• Subscribe to vendor newsletters: Your security software provider is likely to distribute periodic newsletters that list looming threats and include the latest news about innovation in the industry. Review this information as it becomes available, so you’ll stay ahead of ongoing developments.

Protect Your LMS Data With Comprehensive Action and Strategies

Smart companies don’t wait for an incident to jeopardize sensitive personal data or intellectual property. They know robust security is essential to protect their LMS users as well as their organization’s valuable information.

A proactive approach is every company’s best bet. Start by implementing proven data protection technology, developing appropriate policies and educating users, so they know how to put these policies into practice.

Then, continuously improve tools and methods that guarantee LMS cybersecurity. Over time, you’ll avoid unnecessary security breaches and minimize related business costs.

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