In today’s digital age, cybersecurity for higher education is more crucial than ever. As educational institutions increasingly rely on technology for learning and administration, they face heightened risks of cyber threats. From K-12 schools to universities, safeguarding sensitive information such as student data, research, and financial records is vital. Educational institutions must implement robust cybersecurity solutions for education to protect against data breaches and unauthorized access. With the rise of social media and online platforms, the threat landscape continues to evolve, making it imperative for schools to prioritize cybersecurity measures to ensure a secure learning environment.

The education sector holds an enormous amount of personal data over vast open systems, as well as valuable research and intellectual property. Despite this, most schools, universities, and other educational institutions still rely on outdated legacy tools for cyber defense. Dependent on historical attack data and developed in siloes, they lack the visibility and context needed to determine malicious from benign. As a result, educational organizations often lack critical protection across their digital ecosystem, leaving them vulnerable to attacks of all kinds - from insider threats to infected USBs and phishing attacks.  

National bodies such as the USA’s FBI and the UK’s National Cybersecurity Centre (NCSC) have warned that cyber-attacks can seriously disrupt learning and even hold educational institutions to ransom. In 2021, the NCSC updated their guidelines, urging educational establishments in the UK to mitigate cyber-risk in response to a new wave of targeted ransomware attacks.  

It is not just schools, but also labs, research centers, and university databases which have faced increasingly frequent attacks in recent years. With the trend showing no sign of changing soon, the need for advanced cybersecurity in these critical institutions is of greater importance than ever.

Educational institutions, including school districts and universities, face a growing array of cybersecurity threats that put sensitive student and staff information at risk. These threats, if not adequately addressed, can lead to severe consequences, including data breaches and significant disruptions to school operations. Below are some of the most common cybersecurity threats and the consequences of ineffective cybersecurity that educational institutions face:

Data Breaches

Data breaches are a significant concern for educational institutions, where large amounts of sensitive information such as student records, financial data, and personal details are stored. A breach can result in unauthorized access to this information, leading to identity theft and other malicious activities.

Phishing Attempts

Phishing attempts are a common form of cyber-attack in education, where attackers deceive staff or students into revealing sensitive information. This can compromise entire networks and lead to unauthorized access to critical systems.

Ransomware Attacks

Ransomware attacks involve malicious software that locks users out of their systems or encrypts their data, demanding payment for restoration. This type of attack can paralyze an entire school district, halting operations until the ransom is paid or systems are restored.

Denial-of-Service Attacks

Denial-of-service (DoS) attacks overwhelm a network with traffic, causing it to crash. In educational settings, this can disrupt online classes, access to resources, and communication channels, severely impacting daily operations.

School Operation Disruptions

Cyber-attacks can lead to widespread disruptions in school operations, affecting everything from classroom activities to administrative functions. This can delay educational processes and strain resources.

Significant Financial Costs

The financial impact of cyber-attacks on educational institutions can be substantial. Costs can include ransom payments, system recovery, legal fees, and compensation for affected individuals, diverting funds from educational programs.

Loss of Student Learning Time

When systems are compromised, the resulting downtime can lead to a significant loss of student learning time. Whether it's due to a data breach or a ransomware attack, the educational process is interrupted, impacting students' academic progress.

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At a university, Darktrace detected several compromised devices accessing the secure network through VPNs. Self-Learning AI was able to quickly and autonomously pinpoint this anomalous behavior, indicative of an emerging cyber-threat, and isolate the incident for closer inspection.

If this threat had involved other aspects of the university’s digital environment, including its SaaS and endpoint activity, Darktrace could have taken action in these areas as well. Darktrace’s Self-Learning AI adapts constantly alongside changing digital infrastructure, enabling students to continue learning with as little disruption as possible.  

Universities and K-12 school districts are frequent targets for cyber-attacks due to several vulnerabilities unique to the education sector. These institutions often face challenges that make them attractive to cybercriminals.

Lack of the Proper Cybersecurity Tools and Software

Many educational institutions operate with outdated or insufficient cybersecurity tools and software, leaving them vulnerable to attacks. Budget constraints and a lack of cybersecurity expertise can prevent schools from implementing the robust defenses needed to protect sensitive information.

Slow Cloud-Based Server Transitions

As institutions gradually transition to cloud-based systems, the slow pace of migration can create security gaps. These gaps are often exploited by attackers, who take advantage of the inconsistencies between old and new systems.

Labor Shortages

Labor shortages, particularly in the field of IT and cybersecurity, make it difficult for schools to maintain adequate security measures. With limited staff to monitor and defend against threats, educational institutions are more susceptible to cyber-attacks.

To protect student information and maintain a secure educational environment, school districts can implement a range of cybersecurity solutions for education. The following tips can help safeguard against cyber threats and ensure the security of sensitive data.

Provide Cyber Hygiene Training for Students and Faculty

Educating students and faculty on cyber hygiene is crucial in preventing cyber-attacks. Regular training on password management, recognizing phishing attempts, and safe use of social media can significantly reduce the risk of breaches.

Implement Effective Processes for Introducing New Technologies

When adopting new technologies, it’s important to establish clear processes that include security assessments. This ensures that any new tools or systems integrated into the school's network do not introduce vulnerabilities.

Develop an Incident Response Plan

Having a well-developed incident response plan allows schools to quickly and effectively respond to cyber-attacks. This plan should outline steps for containment, recovery, and communication to minimize the impact of a breach.

Purchase Cybersecurity Insurance

Cybersecurity insurance provides financial protection in the event of a cyber-attack. This insurance can cover costs related to data breaches, ransomware, and other cyber incidents, helping schools recover more quickly.

Adopt Effective Cybersecurity Tools for Higher Education

Investing in advanced cybersecurity tools for higher education is essential for protecting sensitive student data. These tools can include encryption software, firewalls, and intrusion detection systems, which work together to create a robust defense against cyber threats.

Darktrace offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity software for higher education and K-12 school districts, designed to protect various aspects of the digital infrastructure. Below is an overview of how Darktrace's solutions address specific needs:

Email

Darktrace / EMAIL provides advanced email security solutions that detect and mitigate phishing attempts, spear-phishing, and other email-based threats. By analyzing email traffic and using machine learning, Darktrace can identify suspicious activity and prevent malicious emails from reaching users.

Identity

Darktrace / IDENTITY ensures that applications used within educational institutions are secure. It monitors and protects against vulnerabilities and threats that could be exploited through apps, safeguarding sensitive data and maintaining application integrity.

Network

Darktrace / NETWORK uses AI to detect and respond to unusual network activity in real time. This includes monitoring for unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and other network-based threats, ensuring that the institution's network remains secure.

OT

In addition to traditional IT environments, Darktrace / OT provides protection for Operational Technology (OT). This is crucial for educational institutions that use connected devices and infrastructure, ensuring that these systems are safeguarded from cyber threats.

Cloud

Darktrace / CLOUD offers robust protection for cloud-based services and data. As educational institutions increasingly move to cloud environments, Darktrace ensures that these platforms are secured against unauthorized access and cyber-attacks.

Learn more about the AI cybersecurity adoption journey in the white paper "CISO's Guide to Buying AI."

In today’s digital landscape, robust cybersecurity is crucial for protecting educational institutions from a range of cyber threats. Effective measures are essential for safeguarding sensitive student data, maintaining operational integrity, and ensuring a secure learning environment.

Darktrace offers innovative cybersecurity solutions for education, tailored to address the specific challenges faced by universities and K-12 school districts. Our comprehensive tools for email, apps, network, OT, and cloud security provide robust protection against evolving cyber threats.

Discover how Darktrace has successfully been deployed in educational settings by visiting our case studies. Or discover how Darktrace has successfully been deployed at Girton Grammar School by exploring our case study