Cybersecurity in Higher Ed: How Education Cooperatives Help
Higher education is a highly lucrative target for cybercriminals. Within a school’s network, there is a wealth of valuable information, including financial and research data. There are also connections to state and federal government networks, providing potential pathways to do further damage. After two years of high-profile cyberattacks, most colleges and universities have increased their […]
Choosing the Right Education Purchasing Cooperative to Combat Cybersecurity Threats
When students at the University of Michigan returned to class in the fall of 2023, they didn’t have internet access for the first week because of a data breach that exposed student, faculty, and staff data. About 230,000 people were affected. Social Security numbers, names, driver’s license numbers, payment card numbers, and health information may […]
Building Stronger Cybersecurity Programs: How Educational Cooperatives Can Support Higher Ed
Because cybercriminals have typically focused on large companies with a wealth of data, these companies have largely improved their cybersecurity measures over the past few years. Attackers are now shifting their approach to more vulnerable targets, such as educational institutions. Cyberattacks against schools have increased 37% over the past year. This comes on the heels […]
Sustaining Cybersecurity Efforts in Education: How Education Cooperatives Can Support Your Institution
“Cyber incidents are so prevalent that, on average, there is more than one incident per school day.”—The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) Despite the constant and growing threat, a significant number of colleges and universities do not have the proper cybersecurity protection. While businesses invest in cutting-edge cybersecurity tools and tactics, many schools rely […]
Building Stronger Schools Through Education Purchasing Cooperatives and Enhanced Cybersecurity
IT teams in schools have a big job that seems to constantly expand. Keeping equipment running properly, managing complex networks, and constantly monitoring and troubleshooting. When you factor in the significant challenges of recruiting and retaining qualified staff, and tighter-than-ever budget constraints, the job can be overwhelming. And then, you hear the two words that […]
Navigating National Purchasing Cooperatives: From Basics to Best Practice in Educational Procurement.
Cooperatives are a powerful force in business, often hidden in plain sight within some of America’s most recognizable brands. Some famous cooperative business examples that you may not know of are cooperatives, such as Sunkist, Ocean Spray, Best Western, Ace Hardware, and True Value Hardware. REI is the nation’s largest consumer cooperative for outdoor gear. […]
Education Purchasing Evolved: The Legal Framework of Cooperative Buying
Cooperative purchasing organizations play an increasing role in helping academic institutions meet their procurement goals, optimizing purchasing, keeping costs in check, and meeting internal goals. However, there remains a misconception about the legality of their use, particularly regarding competitive solicitation and bidding requirements. So, let’s take a look at the legal framework of education purchasing […]
How National Procurement Systems Enhance, rather than Bypass, the Bid Process
Education procurement is complex. Tight budgets, evolving regulations, and changing requirements make the job of procurement teams challenging. Even for experienced pros, it can be confusing. Group purchasing organizations (GPOs) can help reduce frustration, but there are some misconceptions about how they work. We will break down the process to give you a better understanding. […]
Streamlining Education Spending: National Procurement Strategies for Federal Grant Recipients
While the amount varies from year to year, the Department of Education gives colleges and universities about $52 billion in grants annually, not including money for student financial aid. These grants typically come with complex regulations about how they are spent. Purchasing cooperatives in education can be a key resource for procurement teams in maximizing […]
Group Purchasing Organizations in Education: Why Cooperative Contracts Outperform Sole Source
As demands increase and budgets tighten, many education procurement teams are feeling the pressure. There’s often not enough time in the day to handle all the purchasing needs while ensuring compliance with every regulation and guideline. Some turn to sole-source procurement as a way to accelerate the labor-intensive process of sourcing, proposals, and bidding. However, […]
