A recent analysis by Check Point highlights the growing cybersecurity crisis in India’s education system. The report reveals that Indian schools and universities face a relentless wave of cyberattacks, averaging 8,487 attacks per week. This number far exceeds the global average of 4,368, indicating a critical vulnerability.
Over the last six months, the education and research sector has been under constant assault.
The report compares the average weekly attacks across various Indian sectors:
* **Education/Research:** 8,487
* **Healthcare:** 5,401
* **Government/Military:** 4,808
* **Consulting:** 4,204
The national average for all Indian organizations is 3,278 weekly attacks, which is considerably higher than the global average of 1,934.
Factors contributing to the high attack rate include the rapid adoption of digital technologies, an increase in connected devices, hybrid learning, and a lack of sufficient cybersecurity measures. The attack surface has been expanded, and cybercriminals are actively exploiting these vulnerabilities.
The methods commonly employed by attackers include Remcos, FakeUpdates, and Formbook. Remcos, a remote access trojan, affected 11.7% of Indian organizations, far exceeding the global average, often embedded within Microsoft Office attachments. FakeUpdates, which uses fake browser updates, targeted 7.2% of organizations. Formbook, an infostealer, infected 6.8% of Indian firms, stealing credentials and other information through fake emails.
The education sector often presents a weaker defense than other sectors, with 74% of Indian institutions showing critical security flaws. The report emphasized the importance of a proactive approach to cybersecurity to sustain academic excellence and preserve trust.