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For many schools, returning to class also means returning to cyberattacks.
According to cybersecurity platform NordLayer, educational institutions can “expect a significant rise in cyberattacks targeting them” in September. That’s partly because, according to NordLayer, these institutions typically face budget constraints and tend to use older infrastructure, but there’s also a human learning curve that can be difficult to address.
The risk is widespread: A Sophos report from last year found that “80% of lower-education providers and 79% of higher-education providers reported that they were hit by ransomware,” in 2022—an increase from 56% and 64% the year before.
“Educational institutions need to prioritize cybersecurity, implementing measures that foster a culture of digital awareness among students and staff,” Andrius Buinovskis, NordLayer Head of Product, said in a press release. “The stakes are especially high at the start of the new academic year.”
As IT Brew previously reported, last year’s Sophos report found that educational institutions are typically able to regain control of data that’s compromised in attacks, but many also end up paying hefty ransoms in order to do so.
Recent research from Check Point affirms that cyberattacks will continue to plague educational institutions into the next school year. The software company found that the “education sector has been the most targeted industry this year to date, with an average of 3,086 attacks per organization per week, marking a 37% increase compared to 2023.”
Attacks on educational institutions far outstripped those on other sectors, including the government and military, healthcare, and communications sectors, according to Check Point.
With such a target painted on them, Buinovskis suggested school administrators adopt the mindset that everyone on campus has a part in safeguarding their systems.
“Every member of the academic community—from students to teachers, must play an active role in cybersecurity,” he said in the press release. “Simple yet effective practices like using strong, unique passwords and learning to identify phishing attempts, can significantly improve an institution’s security posture.”