Cyberattacks don't just happen to businesses—every organization is a potential target, and the education realm is no different. Daily cyber threats, like phishing attempts, ransomware, infostealers, and account take overs are the new reality for all educational institutions, put your crucial data and operations at risk.
For example, ransomware can wreck critical systems and applications with devastating results. Lost learning time, hefty ransom payments, and leaking of private data are just a few of the consequences a successful ransomware attack can wreak on schools, districts, and universities.
Huntress provides fully-managed, purpose-built solutions that includes the technology, threat expertise, and 24/7 AI-centric SOC that monitors, detects, and responds to threats against your endpoints, identities, and systems in real time. You get end-to-end security and protection for a simple, affordable price that doesn’t require confusing agreements and add-ons. We do the heavy lifting to protect your institution, giving you peace of mind and allowing you to focus on what you do best.
Homer Community Consolidated School District 33C
When a public school district needed to meet new cyber insurance requirements, they had to find a solution that wouldn't take time or budget away from students. See how their small IT team used Huntress to get 24/7 protection across endpoints, speed up remediation, and build a stronger security culture.
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The percent of higher-education institutions compromised by ransomware attacks in 2023.
Educational institutions are a favorite target for hackers because they have valuable data, operate with lean teams, have complex environments, and are sensitive to downtime.
Cybercriminals typically seek out the easiest targets with the highest potential yield. Higher education and K-12 school districts possess tons of student and employee information, including personal information, addresses, phone numbers, financial information, and in some cases, health inforomation. Hackers can sell this data or use it to locate, harass, or dox parents, students, and faculty.
In 2024, more than 20% of all incidents Huntress tracked hit the education sector, revealing that attackers are more than willing to put students, faculty, and your institution at risk. Stay ahead of the learning curve with our latest report.
Let Huntress take on the burden of cybersecurity in education. Our Agentic Security Platform and AI-centric SOC monitors your environment for malicious activity with 24/7 detection and response. If anything suspicious is detected, our team will investigate, contain, and eliminate the threat, followed by a guided cleanup and recovery process, if needed. Bolster your defense even further by taking advantage of our engaging Security Awareness Training that teaches staff, administration, and students to identify and report cyber threats as they occur, preventing potential attacks before they even have a chance to get off the ground.
First, schools and colleges have a lot of valuable info like student records and financial data that hackers want to get their hands on. Plus, many educational institutions don't have the newest tech or enough resources to protect against cyber threats, which makes them easier targets. Also, with so many devices and open access for students and staff, it's tough to keep everything secure. Ransomware attacks can hit schools hard financially and disrupt their day-to-day operations, so cybercriminals see them as a way to make money fast.
The main cyber threats to schools and districts include ransomware, phishing, and social engineering. Phishing is especially common in education, targeting both students and faculty. It involves deceptive emails or messages that prompt recipients to click a link or share sensitive information under false pretenses. For example, attackers might impersonate school leadership, urging users to click a link and log in to resolve an issue or claim a reward, leading them to a fake website that steals their login credentials so they can then launch a ransomware attack or sell their access on the dark web.
Teachers face cyber risks primarily through phishing and weak passwords. They may lack awareness of current threats and best practices, making them targets for ransomware and data breaches. For instance, if teachers are not cautious about opening attachments or clicking on links in emails, they could inadvertently trigger a ransomware infection.
