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Increased Cyberattacks Against Governments and Schools

Cyberattacks have risen sharply against governments and schools in recent months, with a notable increase in the number of attacks targeting critical infrastructure, according to cybersecurity experts.

Global attacks are increasing

The surge in attacks has put a spotlight on the vulnerability of public institutions, as hackers seek to exploit weaknesses in their systems for financial gain, political purposes, or even for the sheer thrill of causing disruption.

Proactive approach to cybersecurity

  • In the past few weeks, several high-profile cyberattacks have been reported, including the attack on the U.S. Department of Education, which resulted in the theft of sensitive student data, and the attack on a major Texas school district, which led to the shutdown of its computer systems.
According to cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike, the number of ransomware attacks against local governments increased by 311% in the first half of 2021, compared to the same period in 2020.

"The surge in attacks against government and educational institutions is alarming," said Dmitri Alperovitch, the founder of CrowdStrike. "These institutions often lack the resources and expertise to defend themselves against sophisticated cyberattacks, which makes them particularly vulnerable."

- Dmitri Alperovitch

Increased cybersecurity budgets

  • The attacks are not limited to the United States. In Australia, the government has reported an increase in cyberattacks against its agencies, with some attacks attributed to state-sponsored actors. The government has responded by increasing its cybersecurity budget and working to improve its defenses.

It's an attack on education

  • The attacks on schools have been particularly concerning, as they disrupt the education of students and can cause lasting damage to school systems. In addition, schools often have sensitive student data that can be targeted by hackers.
  • In the United States, schools have been targeted by ransomware attacks in recent months, with some school districts forced to pay large sums of money to regain access to their systems. The attacks have also led to the theft of student data, which can be used for identity theft or sold on the black market.

Security is vital for institutions

The rise in cyberattacks against governments and schools highlights the need for increased investment in cybersecurity and for institutions to take proactive measures to protect themselves from potential attacks.

This includes implementing strong cybersecurity policies, regularly updating software and systems, and providing cybersecurity training to employees.

"Cybersecurity is no longer an optional expense," said Alperovitch. "It is a critical investment that is necessary to protect against the growing threat of cyberattacks. Governments and schools need to take this threat seriously and take action to protect themselves."

- Dmitri Alperovitch

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