In this article, we dive into how hackers are targeting the education industry, why it has become a popular target for data breaches, and what educators can do to protect their students, their employees, and their students.
Of all the resources in the world, schools are among the most valuable. They’re a gateway through which many students find their passions, enhance their understanding of the world, and start their journey towards a career that will define the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately, schools are also an attractive target for cybercriminals, with the educational industry experiencing unprecedented volumes of cyberattacks. So, what can organizations do to protect their faculty, students, and data?
The state of the education industry
When considering the industries that saw the most cyberattacks in 2025, you might assume those with access to valuable financial data or proprietary information would top the list (think financial or manufacturing).
However, you might be surprised to know that the education industry was the most attacked industry across the globe. This includes institutions like:
Public schools
Universities
Colleges
Education technology companies
Training centers
Publishers
In fact, schools averaged over 4,388 cyberattacks per week, which is an increase of 31 percent from 2024. That’s an average of over 600 cyberattacks per day, which could overwhelm even the best protected organizations. While the education industry was targeted by several types of cyberattacks, phishing and ransomware were the leading attack types.
According to another report from Verizon, the education sector experienced 851 confirmed data breaches. Some notable data breaches included Chicago Public Schools, which resulted in over 495,000 compromised records like student ID numbers and Medicaid ID numbers, and Columbia University, which resulted in over 310,000 compromised records such as Social Security numbers and financial aid records.
Why identity thieves target educational institutes, faculty, and students
There are many reasons identity thieves might target educational institutions; however, the most common motivation is simple: to get their hands on valuable personal data.
Educational institutes typically collect and store data on thousands of individuals. This creates a jackpot-like scenario for cybercriminals, who can make off with thousands of valuable records in just one breach or attack.
The types of data education organizations collect about faculty and students are highly valuable on the dark web, such as mailing addresses, Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers, and even sensitive healthcare information.
With medical records fetching over $500 and driver’s licenses costing between $70 to $165, even a few hundred records stolen from a college or university can be a veritable goldmine for hackers.
What makes student and child data particularly attractive is that it often comes with “clean credit” histories, meaning no prior financial activity. This gives criminals a blank slate to open fraudulent accounts, take out loans, or commit other financial crimes without raising immediate red flags.
How to protect employees and students in the education sector
When it comes to safeguarding your institution from cyberattacks and data breaches, the best place to start is with your employees. They’re often the first line of defense—and sometimes the weakest link—so empowering them is critical.
Educate employees about cyber risks
Training is one of the most effective ways to reduce risk. Teach employees how to spot phishing attempts, understand attacker tactics, and secure their devices. This proactive approach can significantly lower the chances of a breach. Education doesn’t have to be complicated. Consider:
Hosting security seminars or workshops
Running regular phishing simulations
Sending monthly security briefings via email
You can also strengthen this effort by offering an identity protection benefit that keeps employees informed about emerging threats and hacking tactics—making security education simple and continuous.
H3: Protecting students starts with protecting staff
Identity protection as an employee benefit does more than safeguard your team—it can help prevent breaches that could compromise student data. Features like dark web monitoring and data removal give employees tools to manage their digital presence and reduce phishing risks.
The education sector faces unique challenges: teachers often use personal devices for work. Without proper cybersecurity protections, these devices can become easy entry points for attackers, putting both employee and student data at risk. Providing identity protection and promoting secure device practices can close these gaps.
If you manage an educational organization, consider offering identity protection as an employee benefit. Learn more about how this solution can protect your staff and reduce breach risks.
