Auditing the Modern University: 10 IT Risk Trends Shaping Higher Education
June 25, 2026 | 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
June 25 @ 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm EDT
Higher education institutions operate some of the most complex digital environments of any sector supporting teaching and learning, advanced research, healthcare delivery, athletics, and global operations often with highly decentralized governance. As technology adoption accelerates, traditional IT audit approaches are increasingly strained, and internal audit functions are being asked to provide assurance and insight across rapidly evolving risk landscapes.
This session explores the Top 10 IT Audit Trends impacting colleges and universities, translating emerging technology risks into practical, higher‑education‑specific audit considerations. Participants will examine how trends such as cloud‑based learning management systems (LMS), ransomware threats, third‑party edtech ecosystems, AI and generative AI adoption, data governance complexity, research data protection, smart campus technologies, digital payments, and international campus operations are reshaping the scope and expectations of IT audit.
Each trend is anchored in real campus scenarios including academic systems, research environments, health centers, athletics, and global programs and paired with sample audit questions and scoping considerations. The session emphasizes how internal audit can evolve from traditional compliance‑focused reviews to more risk‑based, forward‑looking assurance and advisory work that resonates with institutional leadership.
Designed for internal audit, risk, and compliance professionals, this course provides actionable insights participants can use immediately to refine audit plans, engage more effectively with IT and business stakeholders, and communicate technology risk in a way that supports institutional objectives.
After attending this webinar, participants will be able to…
- Identify the top 10 emerging IT audit trends currently impacting colleges and universities, including technology, regulatory, and operational risk drivers unique to higher education.
- Understand how evolving digital strategies such as cloud migration, ERP modernization, learning management systems, and AI adoption are changing the IT risk landscape across academic institutions.
- Assess the audit implications of increasing cyber, privacy, and third party risks, including ransomware, data governance, vendor ecosystems, and decentralization of IT environments.
- Evaluate how internal audit functions can adapt audit plans, skill sets, and methodologies to remain relevant and effective amid rapid technological change.
- Apply practical audit considerations and leading practices to strengthen assurance, advisory value, and collaboration with IT, compliance, and institutional leadership.
- Translate emerging IT risks into board and leadership ready insights, enabling clearer communication of technology risk, controls, and assurance needs.
Delivery Method: Group Internet
Field of Study: Specialized Knowledge
Advance Preparation: None
Prerequisites are required: No
Cost: $25 for non-members
Recommended CPEs: 1
Resources
Host Information
Matthew Hoverman
Principal
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Matt is a Principal within CLA’s Business Risk Services group and leads the firm’s higher education enterprise risk and internal audit practice.
Michael Flory
Manager
CliftonLarsonAllen LLP
Mike is a Manager within CLA’s Business Risk Service team and supports the higher education enterprise risk and internal audit practice.