Understanding the Evolving Phishing Threat to Education

Written by
Jericho Security Contributor
Jericho Security Contributor
Published on
February 27, 2024

Executive Summary

A study conducted in 2023 found that email-based attacks still account for nearly 20% of ransomware incidents in the education sector, impacting both higher and lower education. The increases in 2023 were significant:

  • 80% increase in lower education, up 56% over 2022

  • 79% increase in higher education, up 64% over 2022

  • 30% of cyberattacks advanced phishing techniques

To combat these attacks, organizations should replicate real-world spear-phishing scenarios by using AI-driven simulations and training. This will help prepare employees to recognize and respond to advanced cyber threats, strengthening cybersecurity defenses against the human element. In this report, we have compiled a summary of the leading threats to the education sector and the tools that can mitigate these threats.

Understanding the primary means of attack, including compromised credentials, exploited vulnerabilities, and email-borne threats, is crucial to securing sensitive data and learning processes. Recognizing the differences in susceptibility between lower and higher education is also essential.


Key Areas of Vulnerability

Lower Education

  • Compromised Credentials: 36% saw stealing login information as the primary gateway for an attack. This indicates potential weaknesses in password hygiene, limited use of multi-factor authentication (MFA), and a need for increased security awareness.

  • Email-Based Attacks: 30% of attacks originate from phishing or malicious links, demanding stringent email security measures and comprehensive user training.

Higher Education

  • Exploited Vulnerabilities: 40% of ransomware attacks penetrated through unpatched or outdated software and systems. Prioritizing system updates and robust patching protocols is paramount.

  • Compromised Credentials: 37% of exploited vulnerabilities resulted from stolen credentials, which presents a significant threat. Strong password practices and MFA are non-negotiable.

  • Email-Based Attacks: These threats account for 19% of incidents, suggesting ongoing vigilance to email security is crucial.

Recommendations

  • Jericho Security's AI-Driven Simulation and Training: To address these challenges, Jericho Security’s platform offers AI-driven simulation and training. Replicating real-world spear-phishing scenarios prepares employees to recognize and respond to advanced cyber threats, thus reinforcing the human element of cybersecurity defenses.

  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Enforce MFA on all user accounts, adding a valuable barrier against unauthorized access.

  • Patching Prioritization: Implement a strict patching policy, ensuring critical security updates are applied immediately.

  • Email Filtering: Invest in powerful email filters, complemented by ongoing user awareness training to recognize phishing attempts.

Conclusion

Phishing remains the most dangerous threat to educational institutions. Understanding sector-specific vulnerabilities, implementing layered security measures, and ensuring constant awareness through training will significantly increase institutional resilience to these attacks.

1 https://www.sophos.com/en-us/whitepaper/state-of-ransomware-in-education

Figure 1: Root Causes of Ransomware Attacks in Education