Higher Education Index
Higher Education Institutional Cyber Resilience Index
HEI-CRI™ is how leading universities baseline maturity, track improvement, evidence control confidence and report on risk movement over time — within the Expede Unified Digital Resilience Framework (UDRF). It gives governance and leadership a repeatable, evidence-based view of progress, not a one-off assessment score.
Expede UDRF
It brings together governance, operating model, technical capability, information asset governance, AI governance, controls, assurance, culture, evidence and risk movement into a single coherent framework. The UDRF is not simply an assessment tool: it is a practical framework for moving from fragmented cyber security and digital resilience activity to a coherent, measurable and risk-informed programme of improvement.
Sector overlays for higher education preserve this common framework spine while tailoring delivery to university operating environments, risk profiles, regulatory expectations and institutional challenges.
Why HEI-CRI™
HEI-CRI™ applies the Expede Digital Resilience Index approach to higher education. It provides a common language for university leadership, governance committees, and operational teams to baseline maturity, track improvement over time, capture evidence of control confidence and explain how risk is moving — moving the conversation from technical detail to strategic governance.
Repeatable indexing and reporting that sits alongside UDRF-led improvement — so boards and committees see evidence, not anecdotes
A structured baseline of institutional cyber resilience maturity across governance, operations, and people, aligned to the UDRF spine.
Repeatable measurement cycles that show whether resilience investments and UDRF-led programmes are delivering measurable progress.
Evidence capture that supports assurance conversations — demonstrating where controls are effective and where confidence still needs strengthening.
Clear explanation of how institutional cyber risk is moving over time, enabling boards to make informed, risk-informed decisions.
Benefits
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 international cyber security guidance.
Continuous Improvement
Regular reassessment creates a cycle of continuous improvement, with tangible evidence of progress.
Our advisory services deliver improvement through the Expede UDRF; HEI-CRI™ provides the index and reporting layer across all four engagements
Speak with our international advisory team to learn how Expede UDRF and HEI-CRI™ can help your institution build a measurable, risk-informed resilience programme.
Book a Consultation