Strengthening cybersecurity in education through private sector partnership

Ransomware attacks against schools, colleges and universities increased by 23% year over year in the first half of 2025, according to a report from Comparitech.

This sharp rise underscores the reality that educational institutions are now among the most consistently targeted sectors by modern cyber threats.

Cybercriminals relentlessly target schools and students, disrupting learning environments, compromising sensitive data and even putting physical safety at risk.

These incidents can expose student and staff schedules or locations, disable campus security systems or interfere with emergency communications relied on by administrators and first responders.

Since students are the primary users of educational technology, they often adopt new tools and platforms without adhering to cybersecurity best practices or before adequate protections are in place.

As cyber threats against schools continue to escalate, an important question emerges: What role should the private sector play?

Addressing today’s challenges requires more than awareness alone. It calls for collaboration that helps close knowledge gaps, deliver critical resources and strengthen cybersecurity education through partnerships with schools, communities and bipartisan organizations.

Threats require boots on the ground

As AI-powered cyber threats increase and nation-state threats become more advanced, the stakes have never been higher. According to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the U.S. education sector faces cyber attacks with near-daily frequency.

These incidents range from ransomware that locks administrators out of critical systems to phishing campaigns that harvest student credentials or deploy malware.

While schools are becoming more aware of the risks posed by AI and are experiencing new types of security incidents first-hand, many still lack the dedicated cybersecurity infrastructure, incident response plans, training and staffing required to defend against modern threats.

Cybersecurity is a clear example of the value private sector organizations can bring to education. As schools rely more on technology, cyber attacks are rising and targeting both the systems themselves and the sensitive data they hold, including Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of students and faculty.

Where does responsibility fall?

Cybersecurity education and awareness are essential. A recent study indicates that only 12% of students report having access to cybersecurity resources. Overall, the report finds there is no clear consensus on who is responsible for teaching students about digital safety and cyber hygiene.

• 30% of parents admit they have never talked to their children about cybersecurity
• 27% of parents expect their child’s school to educate them about cybersecurity

As digital engagement continues to shape how students live, learn and socialize, it is imperative they understand the risks and know how to stay safe online. Partnerships between schools and technology leaders are beginning to close this gap.

Those who defend against real-world cyber threats every day are well positioned to help educators, parents and students build practical knowledge and long-term resilience.

Effective cybersecurity for schools requires more than isolated tools or one-time training. It calls for an enterprise-level approach that prioritizes strong infrastructure and a proactive security culture.

That includes deploying foundational solutions such as firewalls, endpoint protection, secure password management and network monitoring, as well as building digital literacy among all users.

Private sector professionals, including engineers, developers and solutions architects, can play an important role by sharing expertise and resources, delivering scalable tools and helping schools understand how to defend against evolving threats.

Students and educators alike must recognize that once they log in, they are operating in a dynamic environment that demands awareness and responsibility

The cybersecurity community is helping direct more resources to cyber education

Public-private partnerships are emerging as a powerful force in improving cybersecurity education. Professional development for educators increasingly includes cybersecurity awareness training, and collaborative initiatives are bringing fresh energy to the effort.

New public service efforts aimed at equipping students, educators and administrators with the knowledge and tools to stay safe online are emerging.

Programs that provide free cybersecurity resources, practical guides and gamified learning experiences to students, parents and educators demonstrate how public and private organizations can work together to close access gaps while making cybersecurity education age-appropriate, engaging, relevant and easy to integrate into classrooms and homes alike.

Administrators, educators and students need strong cybersecurity support

While education policy and governance will continue to evolve, one thing is clear: schools cannot afford to wait until the regulatory landscape catches up; they need strong cybersecurity support now.

The private sector, particularly cybersecurity experts, has an essential role to play in partnering with educators and administrators to provide the tools, training and awareness needed to protect educational systems, learners and the data they produce.

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