Security News > 2021 > August > Device complexity leaving schools at heightened risk of ransomware attacks
Absolute Software announced a research revealing the significant management and security challenges faced by K-12 education IT teams with the rise in digital learning and widespread adoption of 1:1 device programs.
The report underscores how increased device mobility and complexity are leaving schools increasingly vulnerable to security risks and potential attacks.
Schools are now the top target for ransomware attackers, according to the FBI, with 57 percent of all reported ransomware attacks in August and September 2020 targeting K-12 institutions.
"As devices quickly became the classroom over the past year and a half, education IT teams were tasked with redefining learning for the modern era - in addition to successfully navigating the device management and security challenges they were already facing," said Christy Wyatt, President and CEO of Absolute Software.
More complexity means heightened vulnerability: Schools have deployed an average of 6.7 applications to facilitate online learning, which includes 5.4 security controls - such as VPN, anti-virus, or anti-malware - per device.
Every new app deployed on an endpoint device increases the likelihood of collision or decay; only 53 percent of anti-virus applications analyzed by Absolute were found to be working effectively.
News URL
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/HelpNetSecurity/~3/NgRGJ7_QSGU/
Related news
- Ransomware on ESXi: The mechanization of virtualized attacks (source)
- OneBlood confirms personal data stolen in July ransomware attack (source)
- Enzo Biochem settles lawsuit over 2023 ransomware attack for $7.5M (source)
- Medusa ransomware group claims attack on UK's Gateshead Council (source)
- Ransomware attack forces Brit high school to shut doors (source)
- Ransomware gangs pose as IT support in Microsoft Teams phishing attacks (source)
- Security pros more confident about fending off ransomware, despite being battered by attacks (source)
- Only 13% of organizations fully recover data after a ransomware attack (source)
- Ransomware attack at New York blood services provider – donors turned away during shortage crisis (source)
- Ransomware attack disrupts New York blood donation giant (source)