Schools and universities are prime targets

A Sophos study shows that 55% of primary schools and 67% of universities paid more than what was initially asked. This is due to the pressure of keeping institutions operational, prompting them to give in quickly to cybercriminals.

Why pay more?

The need to remain operational often leads institutions to pay quickly, even at high cost. Schools and universities must continue to function for their communities, and every minute of interruption can have serious consequences. It is this constant pressure that leads them to pay higher ransoms.

Long and difficult recoveries

Recovering from a ransomware attack remains a significant challenge. Only 30% of institutions manage to return to full operability in a week, a figure down on the previous year. This demonstrates the lasting impact that these attacks can have on educational institutions.

Although the number of attacks has decreased this year, with 63% of schools and 66% of universities affected, the rate of data encryption by cybercriminals has increased, showing an increased effectiveness of the latter.

Strengthening security, a priority

To address these threats, it is crucial to have a cyber-attack prevention strategy in place. This includes vulnerability analysis, priority patch implementation, and the use of endpoint protection solutions with anti-ransomware capabilities. The integration of detection and response services managed by experts available 24/7 is also essential to respond quickly to threats.

However, with the increasing complexity of cyber attacks, it is essential to call on cybersecurity experts. These professionals can not only help prevent attacks, but also minimize their impact in the event of a compromise. UNIVIRTUAL’s cloud solutions offer enhanced ransomware protection, ensuring data security and service continuity.

Find out how UNIVIRTUAL can protect your business.

Conclusion

Schools and universities continue to face major cybersecurity challenges. Despite a decrease in the number of attacks, the risks and costs associated with recovery remain high. Strengthening security measures, with the help of experts, is essential to protect IT systems and minimize future impacts, while ensuring data protection and continuity of services for educational communities.