Key Takeaways: Your Cybersecurity Questions Answered
Higher Education Is Now a High-Value Target for Cybercriminals
Colleges and universities are no longer just centers of learning. They are data-rich environments holding everything from financial and health records to intellectual property. That makes them increasingly attractive to cybercriminals.
In 2024, the education sector became one of the most attacked industries worldwide. A Sophos survey reported that 77 percent of higher education institutions experienced a ransomware attack in the past year, up from 69 percent the year before. These attacks often shut down critical systems and result in major financial and reputational damage.
The average cost of a ransomware incident in education is now $4 million. Institutions often spend more than the initial ransom just to restore access and rebuild systems. Beyond ransomware, phishing campaigns, misconfigured systems, and insider threats continue to expose sensitive data across campuses.
Why Higher Education Institutions Are Prime Targets
Valuable data across departments
Student records, Social Security numbers, research data, and financial information are all at risk.
Decentralized IT environments
Universities often manage sprawling networks across multiple campuses with varied levels of security.
High-value research
Many institutions conduct government-funded or proprietary research that is attractive to cyber-espionage groups.
Open access culture
Academic openness, collaboration, and shared platforms often result in fewer restrictions and weaker cybersecurity protections.
Limited security budgets and staffing
Many colleges and universities struggle to invest in the technology and personnel needed for advanced security.
Impact of disruption
A cyberattack can halt classes, delay exams, stop research projects, and cripple administrative functions. This urgency often pressures institutions into paying ransoms quickly.
Three Cybersecurity Trends Impacting Higher Education in 2025
Supply chain vulnerabilities
Universities depend on third-party platforms for storage, research, communications, and operations. A single compromised vendor can provide attackers with an entry point. More than 80 percent of institutions reported a supply chain-related incident in the past two years.
AI-powered cyberattacks
Cybercriminals are using artificial intelligence to create highly targeted phishing emails, automate ransomware, and scan networks for vulnerabilities. AI-generated deepfake content is also being used to manipulate staff into sharing sensitive information.
Insider threats
Whether due to negligence or malicious intent, insiders pose serious risk. A weak password or misplaced device can compromise an entire network. Insider threats now account for over one-quarter of cybersecurity incidents in higher education.
Other Threats Facing Higher Education
Cybercriminals are not limited to ransomware and phishing. Higher education institutions are also vulnerable to:
- Phishing and spear phishing
- Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks
- Malware infections through compromised devices
- Credential theft and account takeovers
- Man-in-the-middle attacks on unsecured networks
- SQL injection and web application attacks
- Data breaches exposing large volumes of information
- Business email compromise targeting finance departments
- Exploits on connected devices and smart campus infrastructure
What Higher Education Institutions Can Do to Prevent Cyberattacks
Use multi-factor authentication for all users and limit access to only what is needed based on roles.
Patch software and firmware regularly to close vulnerabilities before attackers can exploit them.
Use threat detection systems and real-time monitoring tools to identify and stop suspicious activity.
Regular training helps students, staff, and faculty identify phishing attempts and practice secure behaviors.
Ensure vendors follow strong cybersecurity protocols and include those requirements in contracts.
Have a clearly defined plan in place to respond quickly to breaches and recover operations.
Use secure, offline backups and encrypt sensitive data both at rest and in transit to reduce the impact of breaches.
How PSM Partners Helps Higher Education Stay Secure
Cybersecurity is a strategic priority for higher education. With valuable data, open networks, and limited resources, institutions must take a proactive approach to protecting their systems and people.
PSM Partners offers customized cybersecurity services tailored to the needs of colleges and universities. From 24/7 monitoring and incident response to IT staffing and compliance consulting, we help institutions reduce risk, protect data, and build trust with students, faculty, and stakeholders.
Ready to Strengthen Your Cybersecurity Strategy?
Let’s talk about how PSM Partners can help protect your institution against today’s most serious cyber threats.
Contact us today to start a conversation.
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Kayley O'Connell
Kayley O’Connell is a seasoned marketing leader with a passion for connecting people with the right technology solutions. As Senior Marketing Manager at PSM Partners, she drives brand strategy, demand generation, and go-to-market execution across IT services, cloud, security, and staffing. Kayley built PSM’s marketing engine from the ground up and continues to scale its impact through data-driven campaigns, creative storytelling, and strong cross-functional alignment.