The Indian education system is facing a relentless wave of cyberattacks, with a new report revealing the sector is being targeted more than any other. Check Point Software Technologies’ data indicates Indian schools and universities are experiencing a staggering 8,487 cyberattacks weekly, significantly outpacing the global average of 4,368. This figure nearly doubles the global rate, highlighting the vulnerability of the sector.
Over the past six months, the education and research sector has been hit with an average of 8,487 cyberattacks per week. Other sectors like healthcare, government, and consulting also face threats, though at lower rates.
The report details the severity of the situation:
* **Education/Research:** 8,487 attacks per week
* **Healthcare:** 5,401 attacks per week
* **Government/Military:** 4,808 attacks per week
* **Consulting:** 4,204 attacks per week
The national average for Indian organizations is 3,278 attacks per week, considerably higher than the global average of 1,934. The primary reasons for the surge include rapid digitalization, an increase in connected devices, the prevalence of hybrid classrooms, and inadequate cybersecurity staffing and budgets. Cybercriminals are actively exploiting the expanded attack surface.
Attackers leverage tools like Remcos (remote access trojan), FakeUpdates (SocGholish), and Formbook (infostealer). Remcos impacted 11.7% of Indian organizations, three times the global average, often hidden in Microsoft Office attachments. FakeUpdates affected 7.2% of organizations by using fake browser updates. Formbook infected 6.8% of firms, stealing data through fake emails.
The education sector is often an easier target due to less stringent security measures compared to sectors with stricter regulations like healthcare. The report also noted that 74% of Indian institutions had critical security vulnerabilities. The need for a proactive cybersecurity strategy is essential to protect academic excellence and institutional trust.