India's education sector remains prime cyberattack target: Report

Cybersecurity Threats in Education Sector - The education sector faces an average of 7,095 weekly cyberattacks per organization, making it the second most targeted sector globally, only behind healthcare [1][7] - In India, organizations experienced an average of 3,233 cyberattacks per week, significantly higher than the global average of 2,002 attacks per organization [2][7] Factors Contributing to Increased Cyberattacks - The expanded digital footprint due to hybrid learning models, personal/shared devices, and connected campuses has widened the attack surface for cybercriminals [5][6] - Resource constraints, including limited cybersecurity budgets, outdated infrastructure, and small IT teams, leave educational institutions vulnerable to exploitation [5][6] - Heavy reliance on internet-facing tools for collaboration and virtual classrooms creates multiple entry points for attackers [6][7] - Academic institutions are high-value targets due to their intellectual property, sensitive student data, and access to government-funded research [6][7] Recommendations for Cybersecurity Enhancement - Institutions are encouraged to adopt a prevention-first approach, utilizing cloud-native security, endpoint protection, and actionable threat intelligence to safeguard against cyber threats [7]