The education industry is one of the most prominent sectors in the world — and deals with an extensive amount of personal data, financial information and other valuable information. Because of that wealth of sensitive data, educational facilities are constantly at risk for data breaches and cybersecurity incidents.
Read on to discover eight eye-opening statistics about cybersecurity in education.
1. Education Is a Highly Targeted Industry for Cyberattacks
In its 2020 Data Breach Investigations Report, Verizon found startling statistics about the education sector. Out of the 20 sectors investigated, education ranked No. 6 in the most cybersecurity incidents, with a whopping 819 incidents that year. Finance and healthcare were among the industries that ranked higher on the list.
2. 87% of Educational Establishments Have Suffered Successful Cyberattacks
Why is that percentage so high? The fact that many faculty members, students, and staff use their own technological devices can explain a lot.
Those who use personal smartphones, tablets, and laptops must be extra vigilant about their privacy and security. Additionally, schools might not have the resources necessary for around-the-clock protection and monitoring from a dedicated IT department.
3. 2020 Was a Record-Breaking Year for Cyberattacks Against Schools
The K-12 Cybersecurity Resource Center reported that 2020 was a terrible year for public schools’ cybersecurity. Perhaps due to the transition from in-person instruction to remote learning, cyberattacks saw an 18% increase over the previous year.
4. Approximately 30% of People in the Education Industry Have Fallen for Phishing Scams
You might believe a phishing email won’t fool you, but it’s easier than you think. In fact, roughly one-third of staff in education have admitted to falling for phishing scams — which means that percentage is probably a bit higher. With phishing emails responsible for around 90% of data breaches, it’s critical to have proper processes in place for recognizing and avoiding these scams.
5. Only 64% of Higher Education Institutions Have Quality Cyber Insurance
Cyber insurance aims to protect businesses from internet-related and IT infrastructure-related risks. Although much higher education institutions have cyber insurance, it might not be enough. According to a Sophos white paper, these policies tend to skip ransomware-attack coverage — only about 64% of policyholders’ insurance includes it.
6. Cyberattacks Cost Educational Facilities Around $112,000 in Ransom Payments on Average
It might seem easy to brush off the threat of cyberattacks, but they can cost certain industries more than just a few bucks. In fact, ransomware attacks in particular cost educational facilities around $112,000 in ransom payments on average.
7. Educational Institutions Pay More for Cyberattack Recovery
Although $112,000 in ransom payments sounds like a pretty penny, it’s nothing compared to the average total cost of resolving an attack for educational institutions: about $2.7 million per incident.
Compared to the average cost of $1.8 million for a private-sector organization to recover, the education industry’s cost is nearly $1 million higher. Why is that? One reason could be the lack of backup systems and comprehensive security protocols in higher education.
8. Educational Institutions That Partner With CMIT Solutions Are More Secure
Whether you’re working with information from a junior high school or an Ivy League college, cybersecurity should always be a top priority in education.
CMIT Solutions can help your institution stay safe and informed when it comes to keeping financial information, personal identification information, and other important data secure.
Our managed IT support services provide professional-grade defense and recovery, multilayered defenses and 24/7 monitoring.
Contact us today to get started!
Featured image via Unsplash
