The education sector continues to be a primary target for ransomware attacks, with 80% of lower education providers and 79% of higher education providers reporting incidents in 2023-2024. Data encryption rates reached 81% in lower education and 73% in higher education. Compromised credentials (36%) and exploited vulnerabilities (29%) are the most common root causes.
Recovery rates are high, with all higher education institutions and 99% of lower education institutions retrieving their encrypted data. However, the "double dip" method, involving both data encryption and data theft, remains a significant concern, affecting 27% of lower education and 35% of higher education organizations.
Understanding these trends is essential for cybersecurity professionals and IT teams in the education sector. By staying informed about the evolving threat landscape, organizations can better protect themselves against ransomware attacks.
View the latest ransomware attacks effecting Education around the world: