It’s no secret that schools have become prime targets for cybercriminals. With increased reliance on cloud platforms, remote access, and connected devices, educational institutions—especially K–12 districts and universities—are facing a growing wave of cyberattacks. And the numbers don’t lie.
A Rising Threat in Education
Recent data shows that cyberattacks in K–12 and higher education have surged at an alarming rate. Between July 2023 and the end of 2024, over 9,300 cybersecurity incidents were reported across more than 5,000 K–12 schools. That breaks down to an average of five cyber events every week, per district.
Colleges and universities aren’t spared either. In 2023 alone, higher education institutions reported a 70% increase in ransomware attacks over the previous year. Altogether, education now accounts for nearly 40% of all ransomware attacks, according to industry reports.
Why Are Schools Such a Target?
The reasons are multifaceted:
- Decentralized networks: Schools often have multiple campuses, mobile users, and a mix of personal and district-owned devices.
- Limited IT resources: Many districts and universities lack the staffing and funding to keep up with the rapidly evolving threat landscape.
- Open access culture: Designed for collaboration and accessibility, school networks are often more permissive than secure.
- Outdated infrastructure: Many school networks were built years ago and struggle to support modern security tools and access controls.
Most attackers exploit these gaps using phishing, credential theft, and vulnerabilities in legacy VPN solutions.
What’s the Real Cost?
When a breach hits, the impact is more than financial—though that’s significant. The average cost of a data breach in the education sector is around $3.65 million. But schools also deal with lost instructional time, reputational damage, and lengthy recovery periods. In some cases, districts have had to cancel classes for days or even weeks.
The Path Forward: Modernizing and Securing Your Network
At WJR Technologies, we help schools stay ahead of threats by modernizing their IT infrastructure and implementing proactive security strategies. Here’s what that looks like:
1. Move Beyond VPNs with ZTNA
Traditional VPNs provide blanket access to networks—making them a liability. We deploy Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solutions, like those from HPE Axis, to ensure users only access what they need, reducing the attack surface.
2. Upgrade Wireless Infrastructure
Many school wireless networks are outdated or overloaded. We design and install robust, secure wireless systems to handle high-capacity environments and support secure access for students, staff, and guests.
3. Implement Strong Access Controls
This includes enforcing multi-factor authentication (MFA), user segmentation, and granular access rights.
4. Conduct Cybersecurity Awareness Training
Your people are your first line of defense. We offer resources to educate staff and students about phishing, safe browsing, and data hygiene.
5. Prepare for the Worst
Having a data backup and incident response plan in place can significantly reduce downtime and data loss if an attack occurs.
Secure Your Campus Before the Next Breach
Cyber threats aren’t slowing down—and the education sector remains in the crosshairs. Whether you’re a K–12 district or a higher education institution, now is the time to strengthen your defenses.