In recent years, educational institutions have become a prime target for threat actors looking to exploit weaknesses in their cybersecurity strategies. From K-12 schools to colleges and universities, educational institutions of all types and sizes have been targeted by cybercriminals seeking to steal sensitive data, disrupt operations, and extort money.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why threat actors are targeting educational institutions and what schools can do to protect themselves.
Why Are Educational Institutions Being Targeted?
Several factors make educational institutions an attractive target for threat actors:
- Sensitive data: Educational institutions collect and store a wealth of sensitive data, including student records, financial information, and intellectual property which makes them a lucrative target for cybercriminals looking to steal and monetize this information. This data is highly valuable to cybercriminals, who can use it for identity theft, financial fraud, or selling on the dark web.
- Limited resources: Many educational institutions have limited resources to devote to cybersecurity, making them an easier target for attackers. This makes it harder to invest in the necessary technology and expertise to defend against cyber threats. Cybercriminals know that schools often lack dedicated cybersecurity staff, adequate funding for security measures, or up-to-date software and hardware.
- The complexity of the environment: Educational institutions have complex IT environments that are often spread across multiple locations and devices. The decentralized nature of educational institutions can make it challenging to implement consistent security policies and protocols across all departments and users, creating vulnerabilities that cybercriminals can exploit. This complexity can also make it more difficult for schools to detect and respond to security threats.
- Human error: Like all organizations, educational institutions are vulnerable to human error. The large and diverse user base, including students, staff, and alumni, increases the potential for human error and increases the attack surface. Students, faculty, and staff may inadvertently click on malicious links, download malware, or fall for phishing scams, giving attackers an entry point into the school’s network.
What Types of Threats Are Targeting Educational Institutions?
Threat actors targeting educational institutions use a variety of tactics to exploit vulnerabilities in the school’s defences. The decentralized nature of educational institutions layered on top of multiple user personas can make it challenging to implement consistent cybersecurity strategies, policies and protocols across all departments and users. Here are a few of the most common threats:
- Ransomware: Ransomware attacks are on the rise in the education sector. Attackers use malware to encrypt school data and demand payment in exchange for the decryption key.
- Phishing: Phishing attacks are a common tactic used by cybercriminals to gain access to a school’s network. Attackers may send emails that appear to be from a trusted source, such as a bank or government agency, and trick recipients into clicking on a malicious link or downloading a file.
- Malware: Malware attacks can take many forms, from Trojan horses to viruses. Attackers may use malware to steal data, disrupt operations, or gain control of a school’s network.
- Insider threats: Insider threats are a growing concern for educational institutions. These threats can come from students, faculty, or staff who intentionally or unintentionally compromise the school’s security.
Educational institutions are facing a range of cyber threats from various threat actors. It is essential to implement effective cybersecurity strategies, including regular training, incident response planning, and investing in the necessary technology and expertise to safeguard their data and assets from cyber threats.
What Can Educational Institutions Do To Protect Themselves?
Despite limited budgets, educational institutions can still take proactive steps and implement cybersecurity strategies to protect themselves from cyber threats. They can take proactive steps to protect themselves including:
- Conduct a risk assessment: Schools should conduct a risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities and potential threats. This assessment should include an inventory of all devices and systems connected to the school’s network, as well as an analysis of the school’s policies and procedures related to cybersecurity.
- Implement access controls: Schools should implement access controls to limit the amount of data that can be accessed by students, faculty, and staff. This can include limiting access to sensitive data based on job function, as well as requiring multi-factor authentication for access to certain systems.
- Provide security awareness training: Schools should provide security awareness training to students, faculty, and staff to help them identify potential threats and understand how to protect themselves and the school’s network. Training should cover topics such as phishing, password security, and safe browsing practices.
- Implement security technologies: Schools should implement security technologies such as firewalls, antivirus software, and intrusion detection systems to protect their network. These technologies can help detect and prevent threats before they can cause damage.
- Develop an incident response plan: Schools should develop an incident response plan to help them respond effectively and efficiently to cyber attacks.
While cybersecurity threats facing educational institutions may seem daunting, many practical and effective steps they can take to protect themselves, even with limited resources. By prioritizing security awareness and leveraging customizable solutions like Difenda MXDR institutions can enhance their overall security posture and defend against cyber threats.