You don’t have to be an expert in cybersecurity to understand why hackers might set their criminal minds on attacking government agencies, utility companies, financial institutions, retailers, and many other types of large and small corporations. Bad actors who can infiltrate these types of organizations through a cyberattack may gain access to and control over highly confidential information, extremely valuable assets, vital supply chain and technology infrastructure, and more. Cybercriminals then often hold these items hostage for a substantial ransom amount.
What may be less obvious is why these same bad actors are increasingly targeting schools just like yours. To help you determine if and why your school might be vulnerable to a cyberattack, AssuredPartners shares what cybersecurity specialists say are the six main reasons why educational institutions have quickly become a favorite—and easy—mark for cybercriminals.
These are just a few of the vulnerabilities that make educational institutions look like such easy targets and why school cyberattacks are expected to continue to increase in frequency, scale, and severity. In response to this intense threat, educational institutions should proactively manage their cybersecurity risks and make a concentrated effort to strengthen their cybersecurity defenses. This doesn’t always require a huge investment of time and resources. In fact, there are many simple and affordable—even free—preventive steps your school may be able to take immediately to fortify its cybersecurity measures and possibly fend off would-be cybercriminals.
In addition, the AssuredPartners Education Practice Group is here to help. We have broad experience across the education sector, assisting independent schools, public schools, colleges, and universities in identifying, assessing, and addressing their biggest cybersecurity risks. Please contact us today if you would like to tap into our knowledge and experience.
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