Digital Dangers
Studies reveal threats to campus data security
College campuses, hubs of knowledge, innovation, and collaboration, rely on secure digital infrastructures to support their communities. Yet, the rise in cyberattacks on higher education institutions threatens not only the immediate operations of these schools but also the shared mission of fostering learning and discovery for the greater good.
Cybersecurity incidents on college campuses have seen a significant rise in recent years, highlighting the pressing need for robust security measures in higher education institutions. Here are some key statistics illustrating the current landscape:
Increase in Cyberattacks:
In 2023, higher education institutions experienced a 70% increase in ransomware attacks, rising from 68 incidents in 2022 to 116 in 2023.1
Financial Impact:
The average cost of a data breach in the education sector reached $3.65 million in 2023, underscoring the substantial financial risks associated with cyber incidents.2
Data Compromise:
In 2024, the education sector was the second most likely industry to have backups compromised during attacks, with 71% of institutions reporting such incidents.2
Prevalence of Ransomware:
A survey revealed that 79% of higher education institutions were targeted by ransomware attacks in 2023, with 56% of those affected opting to pay the ransom to regain access to their data.3
Institutional Challenges:
Approximately 51% of educational institutions identified a lack of budget as their biggest data security challenge, followed by user mistakes and negligence (47%) and understaffed IT teams (45%).4
Sources
1EdTech Magazine https://tinyurl.com/3uff382e
2Varonis https://tinyurl.com/3hh6jere
3Collegis Education https://tinyurl.com/32u2fr2a
4eCampus News https://tinyurl.com/2f685ead
