Key Cybersecurity Challenges in the Education Sector

Educational institutions are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks due to porous networks, BYOD risks, and limited IT resources. This report examines why schools and universities are prime targets for both criminal and nation-state actors, with real-world breach examples, evolving attack tactics, and emerging risks like AI-driven phishing and IoT exploitation. It also highlights how ESET’s prevention-first, automated solutions — including endpoint protection, cloud security, and managed detection and response — help safeguard sensitive data, maintain academic continuity, and build long-term cyber resilience.