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 This mix can provide attackers searching for an open door with access to either outdated or easily exploitable systems containing sensitive personal data.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

  • Image credit: O

    Strategic Campus Assessment: Moving Beyond Reactive Maintenance in Educational Facilities

    While campuses may appear stable on the surface, building systems naturally evolve over time, and proactive assessment can identify developing issues before they become expensive emergencies. The question isn't whether aging educational facilities need attention. It's how institutions can transition from costly reactive maintenance to strategic asset management in a way that protects both budgets and communities.

  • Los Angeles City College Breaks Ground on New Administration, Workforce Building

    Los Angeles City College (LACC) in Los Angeles, Calif., recently broke ground on a new $72-million administrative facility, according to a news release. The Cesar Chavez Administration and Workforce Building will stand four stories, cover 67,230 square feet, and play home to a wide variety of the school’s educational and administrative services.

  • North Dakota State University Completes Music School Renovation

    North Dakota State University in Fargo, N.D., recently announced that construction on the Challey School of Music has finished, according to a news release. The university partnered with Foss Architecture & Interiors for design and Kraus-Anderson for construction services, and construction began in July 2024.

  • Geometric abstract school illustration

    How Design Shapes Learning and Success

    Can the color of a wall, the curve of a chair, or the hum of fluorescent lights really affect how a student learns? More schools are beginning to think so.

Digital Edition