The Reality of Applying Security in Web Applications in Academia

Abstract—Web applications are used in academic institutions, such as universities, for variety of purposes. Since these web pages contain critical information, securing educational systems is as important as securing any banking system. It has been found that many academic institutions have not fully secured their web pages against some class of vulnerabilities. In this empirical study, these vulnerabilities are focused and their existences in the web sites of the academic institutions are shown. The degree of securing web pages in education systems is measured. The differences among academic institutions on protecting their web applications are discussed. Recommendation on ways of protecting websites is addressed. Keywords—Web applications; Security; Education systems I