That’s where the modern student information system (SIS) becomes a strategic asset. The SIS sits at the heart of operational agility and student success. From streamlining administrative processes to enabling data-informed decision-making and supporting flexible learning pathways, a modern SIS helps institutions stay responsive, resilient and student-centered in a rapidly changing environment.
Despite these benefits, a substantial portion of colleges and universities remain tethered to legacy systems and on-premises data centers. According to the 2024 Cloud Computing Research Report from the IT services company CDW, as of that year, 41 percent of higher education institutions had not yet migrated even half of their applications to the cloud. This leaves critical services — from enrollment and financial aid to advising and learning management — exposed to risk and inefficiencies.
This hesitation is understandable. Modernization can be complex, particularly for institutions with decades of customized processes built around aging infrastructure. But the risks of inaction carry consequences far greater than the challenges of tackling a potentially complex project — they threaten an institution’s viability, resilience and reputation with their students. In short, legacy systems are costing institutions more than they realize.
THE RISING COST OF DELAY
Nowhere is this urgency more evident than in the growing number of cyber attacks targeting colleges and universities. According to research from the software company Comparitech, cyber attacks in the education sector surged by 69 percent worldwide in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same time frame the previous year. One of the most devastating examples came in 2022 with the permanent closure of Lincoln College, a 157-year-old institution that fell victim to a ransomware attack that left its core systems inoperable for months. It was the first college in the U.S. to cite a cyber attack as the primary reason for shutting its doors.
Security is not just a technology issue, it’s a matter of student trust. Students today entrust their institutions with more than just their academic journey — they entrust them with deeply personal data. From financial aid details and academic records to identity documents, students expect that this data will be handled with the highest standards of privacy and security.
In this era of increasing cybersecurity threats, that expectation isn’t just a hope — it’s a baseline requirement. When institutions fail to protect student data, the consequences go far beyond technical or legal challenges; they erode the very trust that underpins the student-institution relationship. Protecting student data is now fundamental to maintaining credibility, supporting student success and delivering the kind of experience today’s learners demand.
Cloud-native systems with built-in, modern security frameworks provide a strong line of defense, protecting not only institutional operations but also the trust students place in their university. Some of these architectures offer greater resilience, faster recovery and significantly reduced vulnerabilities compared with outdated, on-premises infrastructure.
FLEXIBILITY IS THE NEW COMPETITIVE EDGE IN HIGHER ED
Today’s learners expect institutions to not only protect their personal information but also deliver seamless, modern and responsive experiences. While the risk of cyber attacks is real, so too is the risk of falling short of these expectations. The “enrollment cliff” is no longer a distant threat — it’s rapidly approaching. Colleges and universities that once counted on a consistent flow of traditional-age students are now being challenged to attract and retain a broader, more diverse and digitally savvy learner base.
These learners expect flexibility: stackable credentials, micro-degrees, badges and competency-based offerings that can be pursued on personalized schedules. Legacy student information systems often lack the agility to support these models, but modern cloud-native platforms are built for it. They allow institutions to be responsive — not reactive — to changing learner and labor market demands.
THE POWER OF AI — WITH GUARDRAILS
Moreover, cloud-based student information systems integrated with AI-powered analytics can uncover patterns in student engagement, progression and attrition, enabling earlier interventions and more tailored support. These insights are critical for CIOs and provosts looking to align institutional priorities with learner success metrics.
AI’s promise in higher education goes beyond predictive modeling. Today, institutions are using AI-powered tools to drive operational efficiency, streamline workflows, and improve decision-making at scale. From chatbots answering student questions in real time to analytics that surface enrollment and registration trends, AI is quietly reshaping how universities operate. But AI adoption must be thoughtful and ethical. The most effective applications are those built with guardrails aligned to academic values and student privacy.
AGILITY IS THE NEW ADVANTAGE
As institutions reimagine the student experience, the systems that support that journey must evolve in tandem. Modernizing SIS and related infrastructure is a strategic investment in resilience, compliance, and student success. The opportunity is clear: harness AI thoughtfully, secure your infrastructure, empower your faculty and staff through change, and most importantly — put students at the center of your digital transformation.
Bruce Dahlgren is CEO of the education software company Anthology.
