EfficientIP & IDC Data Reveals Education Sector Not Prioritizing DNS-Based Threats

EfficientIP has revealed the education sector is one of the most heavily targeted industries by cyberattacks in its 2019 Global DNS Threat Report. Research by EfficientIP and IDC found 86% of education sector respondents experienced under the radar Domain Name System (DNS) attacks in the past year, the second-highest across all sectors after government.

Surveying 900 security experts from nine countries across North America, Europe and Asia, the report found the education sector is failing to invest in its own security. Organizations suffered on average of 11 attacks last year, each costing $670,000 – resulting in an annual toll of $7,370,000. The state of Louisiana recently declaring a state of emergency after three malware attacks on schools, and the University of York’s data breach both highlight the issue of security in the education sector.

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Read the 2019 IDC Global DNS Threat Report

EfficientIP, in collaboration with IDC, conducted a comprehensive survey of 900 security experts across nine countries in North America, Europe, and Asia, revealing a notable lack of prioritization of DNS-based threats in the education sector. The report indicates a concerning trend where the education sector is failing to make adequate investments in its own security infrastructure. The survey found that organizations within the education sector faced an average of 11 attacks in the past year, with each attack incurring a substantial cost of $670,000. This cumulative impact resulted in an alarming annual toll of $7,370,000 for educational institutions.

The data underscores the critical need for heightened cybersecurity measures in the education sector, given the increasing frequency and financial implications of attacks. Recent incidents, such as the state of Louisiana declaring a state of emergency following three malware attacks on schools and the University of York’s data breach, serve as poignant examples of the vulnerabilities present in educational institutions. These incidents highlight the urgent necessity for educational entities to prioritize and bolster their cybersecurity strategies to safeguard sensitive information, maintain operational continuity, and protect the overall integrity of their systems.

The state of Louisiana’s proactive response to the series of malware attacks on schools underscores the severity of the cybersecurity challenges faced by the education sector. The financial and operational repercussions of such incidents necessitate a paradigm shift in the sector’s approach to security. The collaboration between EfficientIP and IDC sheds light on the existing gaps in cybersecurity priorities within the education sector and emphasizes the imperative for strategic investments to address the evolving landscape of DNS-based threats.