Proprietary Framework

HEI-CRI™

Higher Education Institutional Cyber Resilience Index

An internationally-applicable maturity and governance framework designed specifically for leading universities. HEI-CRI™ enables institutions worldwide to assess their current cyber resilience posture, prioritise improvements based on risk, and track measurable progress over time.

Strategic framework and planning

Why HEI-CRI™

Universities face a unique set of cyber resilience challenges. Generic frameworks do not account for the complexities of open research environments, diverse user populations, and the governance structures specific to higher education.

HEI-CRI™ was developed specifically for the higher education sector. It provides a common language for university leadership, governance committees, and operational teams to discuss, measure, and improve institutional cyber resilience — moving the conversation from technical detail to strategic governance.

WHAT HEI-CRI™ SUPPORTS

A comprehensive framework addressing the full lifecycle of institutional cyber resilience

Institutional Resilience Assessment

Comprehensive evaluation of your institution's current cyber resilience posture across governance, operations, and people.

Prioritisation of Cyber Risk

Risk-based prioritisation ensuring limited budgets and resources are directed to areas of greatest institutional impact.

Strategic Transformation Roadmaps

Actionable improvement roadmaps with clear governance structures, milestones, and timescales aligned to institutional planning.

Governance & Assurance Reporting

Ongoing governance reporting that enables boards to track progress, demonstrate improvement, and make informed decisions.

Benefits

What HEI-CRI™ Delivers

Board-Ready Reporting

Clear, non-technical reports that enable governance committees to understand and act on cyber resilience matters.

Sector-Specific Benchmarking

Compare your institution's resilience posture against sector peers and best practice standards.

Investment Justification

Evidence-based business cases that help secure funding for cyber resilience improvements.

Regulatory Alignment

Supports compliance with sector regulations, GDPR, and national cyber security guidance.

Continuous Improvement

Regular reassessment creates a cycle of continuous improvement, with tangible evidence of progress.

Strategic measurement and progress tracking

HEI-CRI™ underpins all four of our advisory services

Discover how HEI-CRI™ can support your institution

Speak with our international advisory team to learn how the framework can help your institution assess, improve, and sustain cyber resilience.

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