Classrooms Offline: How Cybercriminals Exploit Education in the Age of AI
September 9th, 2025 marks the International Day to Protect Education from Attack. Traditionally, concerns focused on physical threats to schools in conflict zones. Today, the real battleground is digital.
The classroom has shifted to online platforms like Microsoft Teams, Google Classroom, and Zoom. These tools foster collaboration but also expose schools to cyberattacks, especially those powered by artificial intelligence. Without strong digital protections, schools and universities face risks that threaten students, educators, and national progress.
Education: The Most Targeted Sector for Cyberattacks
Education is currently the top target for cybercriminals worldwide. Data from Check Point Research shows that in 2025, schools and universities faced an average of 4,356 cyberattacks per organisation every week—a 41% increase compared to last year. Africa experienced an even sharper rise, with attacks increasing by 56%, reaching 4,463 per organisation weekly.
Why is education such a target?
- Schools store large amounts of sensitive data, including personal student and staff information, financial records, and research data.
- Educational institutions connect with many external parties for schedules, holidays, and online classes, expanding their exposure.
- Many schools lack the expertise or resources to keep their security measures updated and effective.
This combination creates an environment where attackers see education as a “soft target” with significant rewards.
Beyond IT Downtime: The Real Cost of Cyberattacks
Cyberattacks harm more than just computer systems. Ransomware has disrupted exams and forced universities offline for weeks, delaying or cancelling assessments. In 2023, median ransom payments hit $6.6 million for lower education and $4.4 million for higher education institutions, according to Sophos.
Recovery remains difficult. Only 30% of schools fully recovered within a week, a drop from previous years. Limited resources and understaffed IT teams slow down restoration efforts.
Ransom payments also damage the reputation of institutions, forcing budget cuts that impact the quality of education. Compromised student data, including transcripts and certificates, has appeared for sale on the dark web, causing personal and institutional harm. In extreme cases, ransomware has led to permanent school closures, such as the 157-year-old Lincoln College in Illinois.
Each breach erodes student trust, academic integrity, and institutional stability.
The AI Factor: Cybercrime at Machine Speed
Artificial intelligence changes both attacks and defenses in education cybersecurity.
- Attackers use AI to launch deepfake phishing campaigns targeting students and staff, and automate credential theft with large-scale password spraying.
- AI-driven malware can scan and exploit vulnerabilities in minutes, far faster than before.
- Many new education-related domains—18,000 in July 2025 alone—are AI-generated to mimic legitimate portals, such as exam sites and fee payment systems. One in 57 was flagged as malicious.
On the defense side, AI helps detect unusual login patterns, identify zero-day malware before signatures are available, and block phishing, ransomware, and malicious domains in real time.
Integrating cybersecurity training early, especially before AI adoption, is critical. Awareness helps students and staff recognize AI-generated scams and suspicious links. For schools with small IT teams, relying on AI-powered security is essential to keep up with evolving threats.
How Education Can Stay Safe in the AI Era
To protect digital classrooms, schools and universities should adopt a prevention-first approach using AI-powered tools. Key actions include:
- Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA) and monitor for MFA fatigue phishing tactics.
- Segment networks to stop attackers from moving freely if they breach one area.
- Provide ongoing phishing awareness training for staff and students with real examples of current scams.
- Regularly patch and update systems, especially email and collaboration platforms.
- Offer cybersecurity education to students, educators, and parents focused on spotting AI-driven scams and suspicious links.
These steps are not just technical fixes; they are essential for maintaining the quality and safety of education.
Protecting the Future of Education
On this International Day to Protect Education from Attack, it’s clear that cybersecurity is a fundamental part of safeguarding learning. The digital schoolyard faces constant threats, with AI making attacks faster and harder to detect. But through the right tools, collaboration, and prevention strategies, schools can protect their data and the futures of millions of students.
For educators looking to build knowledge in AI and cybersecurity, exploring courses that cover AI security tools and awareness can be a practical step forward. Resources like Complete AI Training’s latest AI courses offer relevant insights into defending against AI-powered cyber threats.
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