Recent <a href="https://hackread.com/us-universities-domains-phishing-attacks/" style="color:#467886; text-decoration:underline">reporting</a> has highlighted a surge in sophisticated phishing campaigns targeting U.S. universities. More than 70 fake domains were created to impersonate campus login portals, and attackers used advanced adversary-in-the-middle tools such as Evilginx to bypass Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), hijack sessions, and gain access to institutional systems to steal credentials.

For universities already stretched thin on cybersecurity, these attacks are deeply concerning, particularly when sensitive student financial documents, academic records, and visa-related information are at risk. They also make a broader point. Traditional username and password systems, even when paired with MFA, are no longer enough to protect data.

Veri Once was designed with this reality in mind. Our security model is fundamentally different from the systems that were targeted, and this difference is central to the protection we provide for universities and international admissions teams.

1. Blockchain Protection Secures the Integrity of Every Evaluation and Verification

University systems often store documents in large, centralized databases. These repositories are highly valuable targets for attackers. Veri Once uses blockchain to secure verification outcomes, which means that once a record is authenticated and written to the blockchain, it cannot be altered or fabricated. Even if a user credential was compromised, the verification record itself would remain secure and unchanged.

This provides trust at the data layer, not only at the login level.

2. No Single Data Repository to Breach

The phishing attacks covered in the report worked because attackers could gain access to central university systems through stolen credentials. Veri Once avoids this vulnerability. Our platform uses a distributed audit trail, so there is no single repository where large volumes of applicant documents are stored. There is no central data vault for attackers to exploit.

This reduces the risk significantly.

3. MFA Is Only One Layer, Not the Foundation

Evilginx and other adversary-in-the-middle tools are capable of intercepting MFA codes and session cookies. This means an attacker can appear legitimate to systems that rely on MFA as a core defense. At Veri Once, MFA is one part of our security approach, but not the foundation. Blockchain validation, cryptographic signatures, explicit applicant consent, and strict access controls all work together to ensure that even if a login credential is compromised, critical verification data cannot be manipulated.

An attacker may gain access to an account, but they cannot create a false verification or alter a report.

4. ISO-Certified Security Practices

Veri Once maintains ISO 27001 and ISO 22301 certification through Glocert International, two of the most respected global standards for information security and business continuity. These certifications require continuous monitoring, documented risk assessment, structured incident response, and secure development practices. Most university systems do not operate under this level of external audit and control.

Secure Verification by Design

The recent phishing attacks show how quickly cyber threats are evolving, and how vulnerable traditional systems have become. Veri Once takes a different approach. Instead of relying entirely on identity authentication, we embed security directly into our verification and evaluation framework.

The result is straightforward. Even if credentials are compromised, the integrity of the verification or evaluation cannot be manipulated, and sensitive student information remains protected.

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