Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

KnowBe4 Releases Report on Education Sector’s Preparedness for Cyberattacks

  • By Matt Jones
  • 03/19/25

Cybersecurity platform KnowBe4 recently released a new research report titled “From Primary Schools to Universities, The Global Education Sector is Unprepared for Escalating Cyber Attacks,” according to a news release. Multiple reports indicate that in 2024, the education sector was the most heavily targeted for cyberattacks, as many institutions don’t have adequate resources for comprehensive cybersecurity programs.

According to the report, both K–12 and higher-education institutions use third-party vendors for services like cloud storage, IT services, and software-as-a-service. Vulnerabilities in these third-party systems could affect all clients and institutions using these services.

The report also found that many schools and colleges mix modern and legacy IT systems to compensate for limited resources and the demand for modernization. This mix can provide attackers searching for an open door with access to either outdated or easily exploitable systems containing sensitive personal data.

Verizon’s 2024 Data Breach Investigation Report (DBIR) found a total of 30,458 security incidents for the year, including 10,626 confirmed data breaches, the news release reports. Among these, 1,780 incidents (17%) were against educational institutions, and 1,537 (14%) included confirmed data breaches.

Finally, according to the report, Trustwave research documented 352 ransomware claims against educational institutions in 2023.

“Today’s classroom environment is becoming ever more digital, increasing the attack surface of educational institutions and creating an unprecedented level of cyber risk,” said KnowBe4 CEO Stu Sjouwerman. “Educational institutions have inadvertently become prime targets for sophisticated threat actors due to an overall lack of resources. The most concrete, effective step that an educational institution can take to secure vital and sensitive data is to ensure that all individuals who access IT systems are equipped with the proper tools, education and awareness to protect against cyber threats and reduce human risk.” 

Finally, the report indicated the significance of employee awareness training in mitigating security risks. Employee susceptibility to phishing attacks plunged from 33.4% to 3.9% in small educational institutions following a year of sustained training and simulated phishing attacks, the news release reports.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Harvard Announces Replacement Facility for Native American Program

    Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently announced that construction will begin this spring on a new home for its Native American Program, according to university news. The 6,500-square-foot, all-electric building will stand three stories and serve as the central hub for the Harvard University Native American Program (HUNAP).

  • University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Launches New Emergency Communications System

    The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) recently deployed a new emergency notification and incident management system for its campus, according to a news release. The university partnered with 911Cellular to launch Safe@UTC, a smartphone app allowing university officials to communicate and respond during emergency situations.

  • Stanford Completes Construction on Graduate School of Education Facility

    Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., recently announced the end of construction on a new home for its Graduate School of Education, according to a news release. The university partnered with McCarthy Building Companies on the 160,000-square-foot project, which involved two major renovations and one new construction effort.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.