Key points:
- Higher ed is a hot target for cybercriminals–institutions should learn from previous incidents and protect themselves
- Attacks can take school-wide systems offline, disrupting learning opportunities and administrative processes
- See related article: Higher education kicks off a new semester–and new cybersecurity threats
August’s data breach warning from the Colorado Department of Higher Education following a ransomware attack is just the latest in a long string of attacks on higher education. In June, Kaiserslautern University of Applied Sciences in Germany confirmed that it was hit by a ransomware attack forcing its entire IT infrastructure offline just a week after three other European universities disclosed cyberattacks.
According to a recent report, system intrusion, miscellaneous errors and social engineering represent 76 percent of breaches in education, and just under half (47.8 percent) of all ransomware incidents in education this year have resulted in data disclosure. Recent incidents in the education sector highlight the increasing complexity of cybersecurity challenges and underscore the need for robust cybersecurity strategies to keep schools protected.
However, these incidents also beg the questions of why higher education institutions are such a hot target for cybercriminals and why these institutions are not learning from previous incidents and doing more to protect themselves.
The dangers of ransomware in higher education
Implications arising from ransomware in higher education are significant and multi-faceted. Attacks can take school-wide systems offline, disrupting learning opportunities and administrative processes. Privacy and data security concerns also emerge, as education systems often house sensitive student and staff data that can be compromised. Additionally, publicized cyber incidents can harm a school’s reputation among academic peers and potential students. Lack of proactive cybersecurity measures and failure to note previous mistakes can create unfavorable opinions that can impact student recruitment, retention, and reputation.
Andrew Hollister is CISO & VP Labs R&D at LogRhythm.
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