According to a report from Sophos , 80 % of K – 12 schools and 79 % of higher education institutions in the U . S . were hit by ransomware attacks in 2022 , a sharp increase from previous years . These incidents highlight the growing threat to educational institutions , where cyberattacks often exploit system vulnerabilities , putting student and staff data at serious risk .

Weak cybersecurity measures have made educational institutions attractive targets for cybercriminals . Data from the 2024 Sophos State of Education report revealed that 85 % of ransomware attacks on K – 12 schools and 77 % on higher education institutions involved data encryption . The financial toll has been significant , with the cost of recovering from attacks doubling for K – 12 schools and quadrupling for universities .

A key issue is that educational institutions often disclose data breaches slowly . For instance , only 29 % of K – 12 schools publicly disclose cyberattacks , though the actual number of incidents is likely higher . This lack of transparency increases risks significantly , as individuals may remain unaware their personal information has been compromised for an extended period , making it harder to prevent further misuse of stolen data .

To better defend against cyberthreats , CISOs in the educator sector must prioritise investing in comprehensive data protection solutions . Encryption and tokenisation are two powerful techniques that can help shield student and teacher data by making it useless without proper decryption keys . Even if attackers breach a system , encrypted data remains inaccessible .

Schools must also adopt transparent cybersecurity policies . It is crucial to work with external vendors to ensure all digital tools and platforms meet strict security standards . Additionally , promoting cybersecurity awareness among parents , educators and students can reduce the risk of human error , such as falling for phishing scams .

While the education sector is often overlooked in discussions about data security , it is undeniably a high-value target in today ’ s threat landscape . Protecting all data is important , but safeguarding the personal information of young students is especially critical . By investing in the right data protection technologies and fostering a culture of cybersecurity , schools can improve their defences and protect the futures of both students and educators .

While schools increasingly rely on digital tools and platforms to enhance learning , many lack robust cybersecurity measures to safeguard sensitive data .

VICHAI LEVY , VP R & D , OVERSEEING ARCHITECTURE , PROTEGRITY

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