Protecting Academia's Digital Frontier: Why Specialized Cybersecurity Training Is Critical for Higher Education Institutions
SAN DIEGO, CA — May 1, 2025 — As Teacher Appreciation Week approaches, INE Security is highlighting the crucial role that cybersecurity education plays in protecting higher education institutions, which continue to face unprecedented digital threats.
Recent data reveals the staggering vulnerability of the higher education sector. Higher education facilities had the second highest individual rate of attack of any industry in 2023 at 79%, and paid a mean ransom amount of $5.85M in 2024, the third highest of any sector, according to Varonis. Meanwhile, 97% of higher education institutions identified a breach or attack in the past year, according to the UK's Cyber Security Breaches Survey 2024.
"The education sector faces unique cybersecurity challenges that require specialized training solutions," said Dara Warn, CEO of INE Security. "Universities and colleges hold vast amounts of sensitive data—from student records to groundbreaking research—while typically operating with limited security resources. During Teacher Appreciation Week, we not only celebrate educators but also recognize our responsibility to provide them with the tools and knowledge they need to protect their digital environments."
Higher education institutions present particularly attractive targets for cybercriminals. Recent studies indicate that ransomware attacks affected 79 percent of higher education providers in 2023, up from 64% in 2022. Between 2020 and 2021, cyberattacks targeting the education sector increased by 75%, with 30% of data breaches attributed to ransomware attacks, according to the 2022 Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report.
Tracy Wallace, Content Director for INE Security and head instructor, emphasizes the importance of education-specific training: "One-size-fits-all cybersecurity approaches don't address the distinct challenges faced by higher education institutions. Our specialized training programs focus on the actual threats these institutions face, from phishing attacks targeting student credentials to ransomware targeting research data. By providing hands-on, scenario-based training tailored to higher education, we empower security teams to effectively protect their institutions."
With FY 2025 budgeting on the horizon, 2024 is a critical year for higher education institutions to commit to improved cybersecurity through specialized training. A report from Malwarebytes noted a 70% increase in ransomware attacks against the higher education sector in 2023, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced security measures.
