Report cover image - November 2024 higher education cyber threat report

Top 5 Threats & Vulnerabilities In Higher Education Institutions

This report leverages insights from October's threat landscape - including commonly identified KEVs and known vulnerabilities that have been used in a ransomware attack - to proactively guide institutions in addressing these vulnerabilities. Complete the form to get the report.

> Ransomware linked vulnerabilities.

> Top 5 KEVs in Use by Cybercriminals Targeting Higher Education.

> Quick win recommendations for the trending threats during the report period.

> Vendor Spotlight – which common higher education vendor has been improving cybersecurity posture over the last 12 months?

This report looks at ransomware linked vulnerabilities and common KEVs that are identified at Higher Education institutions. FortifyData has identified the top 5 high-risk Known Exploited Vulnerabilities (KEVs) that are disproportionately affecting the Higher Education sector.

Higher Education Institutions should make best efforts to patch these findings as soon as possible. For reference, CISA guides that Government Agencies should patch by 3 weeks from the KEV publish date.

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the latest vulnerabilities particularly at  KVEs or Known Vulnerability Exploits that are identified at higher education institutions which require prioritization. Commentary on the trends related to phishing attacks, ransomware incidents, and supply chain risks that pose significant challenges to the higher education sector.

Finally, we will look at the improvements that another vendor has made that is commonly used at educational institutions. explore the growing risks associated with supply chain attacks, emphasizing the importance of securing third-party vendors and suppliers. By understanding these trending threats and implementing effective countermeasures, higher education institutions can protect their sensitive data, maintain operational continuity, and safeguard the academic experience.