Hack to School: An Increased Risk of Cyberattacks for Educational Institutions

It’s back-to-school season again! As educational institutions gear up for the new academic year, there is more to worry about than just lesson plans and class schedules. In today's digitally connected world, educational institutions are prime targets for cyberattacks, and going back to school amplifies these risks. According to Check Point’s Mid-Year Report for 2022, the education sector had 44% more cyberattacks than the year before, and an average of 2,300 attacks against educational organizations were reported weekly.

These figures are alarming and should not be taken lightly. Coupled with its possession of valuable data, the lack of cyber risk awareness in the education sector makes it an easy target for hackers to exploit any vulnerabilities. In this blog, we'll explore why the back-to-school season makes the education sector an easy target, the most common threats encountered, and how Telesystem can protect your academic institution against cybercrime.

Its ‘Hack to School’

The ‘hack to school' period is marked by a surge in online activity, as students return back to school around the country. Academic institutions update their systems, students and staff log into networks, and digital learning tools are reactivated or deployed. This period of increased digital activity creates an ideal environment for hackers, as they exploit the chaotic start of the school year to launch their attacks. Here are a few reasons educational institutions become vulnerable to cyberattacks during back-to-school season:

1. Data-Rich Environments: Schools, colleges, and universities are treasure troves of personal and financial data. From student records to staff payroll details, these institutions hold vast amounts of sensitive information. Cybercriminals are acutely aware of the value of this data on the black market. During the back-to-school period, the influx of new students means more data is being processed and stored, making this an opportune time for hackers to strike.

2. Increased Online Activity: The start of the school year sees a surge in online activity as students register for classes, access educational resources, and communicate with peers and educators. This heightened activity creates more entry points for cybercriminals. Phishing emails, malicious links, and compromised accounts are just a few of the methods used to exploit this increased traffic.

3. Outdated Security Measures: Many educational institutions, especially K-12 schools, operate on tight budgets. This often means that cybersecurity measures are outdated or insufficient. Legacy systems, unpatched software, and inadequate security protocols are common issues. Cybercriminals are adept at identifying and exploiting these vulnerabilities, particularly during times of increased system usage. 

4. Human Error: With the start of a new school year, there are often new staff members and students who are unfamiliar with the institution’s cybersecurity policies. This lack of familiarity can lead to mistakes, such as clicking on phishing emails, using weak passwords, or failing to recognize suspicious activity. Cybercriminals are quick to exploit these human errors.

5. Remote Learning Complications: The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the adoption of remote learning, which, while necessary, has introduced new cybersecurity challenges. Home networks, often less secure than institutional networks, become part of the educational ecosystem. The transition back to in-person or hybrid learning models adds another layer of complexity, with potential gaps in security protocols as institutions juggle multiple modes of delivery.

The education sector is an attractive target for several reasons, but a large factor is timing. Usually, a company’s most vulnerable period can be hard to predict; it requires knowledge of the inner workings of a firm and the industry at large. However, schools are on publicly known schedules, so attackers tend to strike at times when vast numbers of new students arrive on campus, faculties change, and the existing IT staff is tied up with mundane tasks such as password resets and basic system maintenance. In order to safeguard your institution in this vulnerable period, it is imperative to prioritize cybersecurity efforts and adopt robust measures. Cyberthreats are continuously evolving, and the first step in protecting your institution is gaining a clear understanding of what exactly these threats are. 

Common Cyber Threats Facing Schools

In recent years, cybercrime has increased to the point where it is now considered the biggest threat to the education sector. As hackers’ methods have become more sophisticated, it is becoming increasingly difficult to defend against attacks consistently. It is crucial to understand some of the most prevalent cybersecurity risks in the academic sector in order to protect your institution, employees, and students.

1. Phishing Attacks: Phishing remains one of the most common and effective cyberattacks. During the back-to-school season, cybercriminals often craft emails that appear to be from legitimate sources, such as school administrators, offering urgent information about schedules, grades, or tuition payments. These emails contain malicious links or attachments that, once clicked, can compromise the user’s system and provide the attacker with access to sensitive information.

2. Ransomware: Ransomware attacks have been on the rise across all sectors, including education. In a ransomwareattack, cybercriminals encrypt an institution’s data and demand payment in exchange for the decryption key. During the back-to-school season, the disruption caused by such an attack can be devastating, potentially halting educational activities and causing significant financial damage.

3. Data Breaches: With so much personal information being processed at the start of the school year, data breaches are a significant risk. Cybercriminals may target institutions to steal student and staff records, which can then be sold on the dark web. These breaches not only result in financial loss, but they can also damage the institution’s reputation and erode trust within the community.

4. DDoS Attacks: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks overwhelm a system with traffic, causing it to crash or become inaccessible. Schools rely heavily on online platforms for learning and administration, and a DDoS attack during the back-to-school period can disrupt these essential services, leading to confusion and chaos. 

Being aware of these types of cyberthreats is the first step in protecting your institution from the back-to-school cyberattacks. However, cybercrime education should not stop there. Let's explore the ways Telesystem can help your school and employees stay protected all year long.

Head Back-to-School with Telesystem

In today’s interconnected world, educational institutions such as schools, colleges, and universities are increasingly relying on technology to improve the learning process. In 2023, it was a record-breaking year for both the number of breaches in academic institutions and the number of student and school records impacted. According to research from Comparitech, last year 954 data breaches were recorded in US schools and colleges, and this number is nearly seven times 2022’s figure. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for advanced security measures, as it is only expected to climb upward. Since the education sector is a prime target for cybercrime, it's crucial to remain extremely vigilant, especially during the back-to-school season.

In this challenging environment, educational institutions need a trusted partner to help them navigate the complex landscape of cybersecurity. Telesystem offers comprehensive cybersecurity solutions tailored to the unique needs of schools, colleges, and universities. With a deep understanding of the specific risks facing educational institutions, Telesystem provides a range of services designed to protect against the most common cyber threats.

So, how exactly can Telesystem help keep your educational institution safe? Let's take a closer look. 

Security Awareness Training

As the hustle and bustle of the first day of school, orientations, and system updates take place, it's easy for cybercriminals to exploit weaknesses in K-12 cybersecurity. With everyone focused on making the school experience seamless and unforgettable, schools often overlook their cybersecurity concerns. New faculty and staff, despite their enthusiasm, may not be immediately familiar with the school's IT policies, especially during the hectic back-to-school period, and this opens the door for significant human error. The human factor plays a large role in many data breaches, and this is unlikely to change.

Human error remains a leading cause of data breaches, with a staggering 92% attributed to such oversights. The education sector, particularly during the back-to-school season, is not immune to this challenge. The arrival of new students, educators, and staff creates an environment prone to human error, a common entry point for cyberattacks, as schools need to make their networks accessible to everyone they serve, many of whom have varying levels of security awareness. The lack of comprehensive training leaves many students and teachers ill-equipped to recognize and respond to cyber threats. Research indicates that a significant 59% of educators are uncertain whether they have received recent security training, a gap that cybercriminals are aware of. Exploiting this knowledge gap, attackers often resort to social engineering tactics, since it is often easier to compromise individuals rather than entire network infrastructures or software systems.

Employees are the first line of defense in an organization's security efforts. Teachers and staff interact daily with school systems and data. When adequately prepared, they are in a unique position to identify and report potential security issues. However, without the necessary knowledge and skills to recognize and avoid common cyberthreats, employees can inadvertently expose their institution to cyberattacks through actions such as clicking on phishing emails, using weak or reused passwords, or downloading malicious software.

Insufficient cybersecurity training for educators can jeopardize students' personal information, especially since 75% of teachers rely on online instruction. Children's private information is often targeted by cybercriminals, as it is typically less closely monitored than that of adults. In fact, breaches of children's data often go undetected until later in life when they enter the workforce or obtain their driver's licenses, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive security awareness programs.

Telesystem’s Security Awareness Training aims to address this risk by fostering a culture of cybersecurity within the education industry. By educating school faculty and administration on the latest cyber threats, this program ensures that everyone can identify and respond to suspicious activities. The training covers essential topics including phishing, social engineering, and safe online practices, minimizing the chances of a successful attack due to lack of awareness.

What makes Telesystem’s training unique is its practical, scenario-based approach. Participants will not only receive theoretical knowledge, but they will also engage in real-world simulations of cyberattacks, such as spear-phishing emails or ransomware attempts. These hands-on exercises allow staff to practice their responses in a controlled environment, thereby building the confidence and skills necessary to handle actual threats. By simulating the types of attacks most likely to target educational institutions, Telesystem ensures that the training is relevant and effective, directly addressing the vulnerabilities that schools face during the back-to-school season.

Telesystem’s Security Awareness Training also stands out for its continuous nature. Cyber threats are always evolving, so training from one or two years ago may not be enough to stay protected this year. Telesystem’s program includes regular updates, periodic phishing simulations, and refresher courses to ensure that the academic community remains vigilant and up-to-date on the latest cybersecurity threats. This ongoing education reinforces best practices and helps maintain a high level of security awareness throughout the academic year, significantly reducing the risk of a successful cyberattack. 

Advanced Email Protection

The start of the school year is always chaotic for academic faculty and staff; teachers have to juggle making new lesson plans, setting students up with technology, exchanging reports with colleagues, and answering countless emails from parents. They also have to manage multiple platforms for grading, notes, and attendance. The chaos amidst the back-to-school rush often causes fatigue and distraction, which can result in cyber incidents such as phishing attacks.

Phishing scams come in various forms. From emails sent by hackers disguised as school administrators to fraudulent messages offering non-existent back-to-school deals, these scams can lead to compromised personal information, financial loss, and identity theft. For instance, during the back-to-school chaos, a teacher may receive an email from the principal offering a $50 Amazon gift card for classroom supplies as a welcome back gesture. Unaware that it's a phishing attempt, the teacher clicks on the email to claim the gift card. By entering their login credentials, the teacher inadvertently grants the attackers access to the school's network, thereby jeopardizing sensitive student and staff information. As a real life example: hackers stole over $6 million through multiple phishing attacks where they gained access to the email of the New Haven Public Schools’ chief operating officer. Once hackers gained access to his email, they were able to identify high-value vendors he was in contact with and spent weeks learning how to communicate like them. Falsified vendor emails were then sent to the COO, directing payments to bank accounts controlled by the criminals, ultimately stealing the funds through six electronic transfers.

Phishing attacks are a primary method for malicious actors to gain a foothold in educational institutions. These attacks involve the distribution of malicious emails as part of a ruse to dupe potential victims into divulging sensitive information or downloading harmful files. Given the challenges of effectively identifying and blocking such emails, phishing attacks pose a significant threat to educational organizations. Cybercriminals utilize social engineering tactics to extract personal and financial data from unsuspecting individuals, often creating emails that appear authentic to the untrained eye.

In order to protect your academic institution from cybercriminals, email protection is essential. Telesystem’s Advanced Email Protector solution guards against spam, email viruses, malware, and other email-based attacks that are often overlooked. Simultaneously, it offers encryption and screening of outbound emails to ensure your staff is not mistakenly releasing any critical internal information, preventing potential data leaks.

Educators, especially during the back-to-school rush, often handle a large volume of emails containing sensitive student information. The overwhelming nature of this task can lead to a false sense of security, making them more susceptible to cyber threats. Our comprehensive email security program eliminates the time-consuming task of determining which emails may lead to data breaches. It allows teachers to focus on what they do best, teaching without worrying about a potential cyber threat compromising their school and taking class time away from students, enabling the workforce to operate securely and with peace of mind. By investing in Telesystem's Advanced Email Protector, academic institutions can stay ahead of potential threats, safeguard their reputation, ensure students and staff's security, and build a long-term relationship of trust.

Endpoint Protection

The shift towards digital learning, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to the widespread adoption of online platforms and tools in education. While these tools offer numerous benefits, they also introduce new cybersecurity challenges. Many of these platforms require users to create accounts and store data, making them attractive targets for cybercriminals.

The back-to-school season often sees a surge in the use of these digital tools, as schools implement new software and students begin logging in to access their coursework. This increase in activity can overwhelm IT departments, making it more difficult to monitor and secure all endpoints effectively.  Cybercriminals can exploit vulnerabilities in these platforms, either through direct attacks on the software itself or through targets on unsuspecting users.

The use of personal devices such as laptops, tablets, and smartphones for educational purposes further complicates the cybersecurity landscape. These devices may not be equipped with the same level of security as school-managed systems, making them easier for cybercriminals to infiltrate. Since students and teachers bring a variety of devices onto school networks, the potential for security breaches is exponential.

When an endpoint is not secure, it leaves itself open to various cyberattacks, such as ransomware or data leaks. The U.S. education system has been hit by ransomware attacks over the past few years, affecting some of its most prestigious regions. The Baltimore Public Schools, for example, spent $9.7 million recovering from a breach that had disrupted an academic instruction for weeks because they had converted entirely to virtual learning. The attack required teachers and students to hand over their laptops for inspection, leading to widespread confusion in determining which devices were affected by the attack. Cyberattacks like these can cause significant financial loss and reputational damage that can take years to recover from.

Last year alone, 67 ransomware attacks affected over 950 schools and colleges across the U.S., impacting around 950,000 students and causing an estimated $3.56 billion in downtime. Making up for lost time with students is difficult, as they cannot afford weeks of academic disruption. All schools should take preventative measures to protect their institution, staff, and students, and Telesystem’s Endpoint Protection will allow you to do just that.

Telesystems Endpoint Protection is a comprehensive IT platform that effectively secures users and their data while improving system efficiency and reliability. Our proactive whitelist security stack approves a list of email addresses, IP addresses, domain names, and applications while rejecting all others. This feature seamlessly protects your organization from viruses, malware, and ransomware threats that optimize your cyber infrastructure. By implementing endpoint protection, schools can ensure the security of instructors, staff, and students without disrupting the learning process. This system not only blocks attacks at the endpoint before data is compromised, but it also enables swift and thorough responses to potential threats.

While schools embark on a new academic year, it is crucial to recognize the significance of robust endpoint protection to ensure uninterrupted learning experiences for students and staff. By investing in Telesystem’s comprehensive endpoint protection, educational institutions can proactively mitigate cybersecurity risks and uphold their commitment to the safety and well-being of their community. 

Telesystem is Here for Your Educational Institution

The back-to-school season is a time of renewed energy and enthusiasm for learning, but it also brings heightened cybersecurity risks for educational institutions. A school's main responsibility is to keep its students and staff safe; in order to do this efficiently, cybersecurity must be a priority. With comprehensive security solutions tailored to the unique needs of educational institutions, Telesystem ensures that the focus remains on education rather than cyberattacks and damage control. By allowing our team to handle your cybersecurity needs, educators can concentrate on nurturing the next generation of leaders, students can explore their creativity, and parents can go to work with peace of mind. Let our team handle cybercriminals so that you can focus on what you do best – shaping the future generation.