The world of education today is thoroughly intertwined with technology. From innovative learning management systems (LMS) and online learning platforms to gamification and digital classrooms, educational institutions everywhere are constantly adopting new technologies.
While this transformation offers a more immersive, customized and fun learning experience, it also exposes schools to the ever-evolving threat landscape. Cybercriminals have been victimizing businesses — large and small — with ransomware and phishing attacks over the past year and are now targeting schools as well.
Here are some statistics to put things in perspective.
- In 2023, ransomware attacks affected about 80% of lower education institutions and 79% of higher education institutions.
- Over 27% of lower education institutions experienced data theft following encryption.
- In 2022, 65 ransomware attacks hit 1,436 schools and colleges, costing nearly $9.45 billion in downtime.
- In 2023, phishing attacks affected roughly 84% of primary and 86% of secondary schools.
It’s time educational institutions became proactive in their approach to cybersecurity.
Download this checklist and learn how schools can defend themselves against ransomware and phishing attacks.