Model Based On Virtual Private Network: Enhancing Cybersecurity In The Rwandan University Sector

The rapid growth of technology and digitalization has revolutionized the way universities operate and conduct their academic activities. However, this progress has also exposed the Rwandan university sector to an ever-increasing range of cyber threats and vulnerabilities. The main objective of this research is to design and implement a robust model based on Virtual Private Network (VPN) technology to enhance cyber security in the Rwandan universities. The problem statement revolves around not only escalating cyber security challenges and loopholes at the Universities, but also issue of using a single security measure of currently using only firewall as a security measures which has some drawbacks, and all these may lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and potential loss of sensitive information. To achieve the research objectives, a mixed-methods approach has been adopted, qualitative data have been gathered through interviews and focus groups with IT related personnel to gain insights into the existing security vulnerabilities and concerns. Additionally, quantitative data have been collected to assess the frequency and nature of cyber-attacks experienced by the Universities. The study used different tools including Eve-ng, AnyConnect, VMware workstation and Wireshark for network traffic analysis. In this project, a novel and practical model based on Virtual Private Network technology has been designed to reinforce the cyber security infrastructure of the University of Kigali. Secondly, the research findings shed light on the current cyber security landscape in the Rwandan university sector and provide valuable recommendations to other universities in the country to bolster their own security measures. Key words: Virtual Private Network, cybersecurity, Network Access Control, Intrusion Detection System