Cyberattacks on schools are becoming more frequent and more severe, with the number of confirmed attacks more than doubling since 2021.
School systems are known to be particularly lucrative targets for cybercriminals due to the substantial amount of sensitive student data that these districts must manage. Considerable amounts of data and lax cybersecurity practices create the prime opportunity for hackers to make a quick payday. There have been several well-known cyberattacks against school systems in 2022, some of the most significant incidents include:
Unfortunately, the initial ransomware attack is not the only threat. Some school districts opt not to pay the ransom, but instead replace compromised hardware and wipe systems in an attempt to avoid paying the price. While this may address the cost of the ransom demand, it does nothing to recover the stolen or encrypted data and the extortion that may follow.
While school districts struggle to adapt to the evolving threat landscape, cybercriminals continue to cash in. Many organizations are not even aware of the vulnerabilities within their own infrastructure. It is essential that school districts prioritize a proactive approach to cybersecurity. The FBI and CISA have released a joint advisory with recommendations to mitigate risk, read more on that here.
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