Global education-targeted ransomware attack growth decelerates

Universities, schools, and other educational entities around the world experienced 251 ransomware intrusions last year, which is only 2% higher than in 2024, compared with the 32% year-over-year increase overall ransomware incidence, K-12 Dive reports.

Impacted educational organizations have also been demanded to pay $464,000 in ransoms on average last year, which is 33% lower than in 2024, according to an analysis from Comparitech. Despite accounting for more than half of all education-related ransomware intrusions last year, the U.S. recorded a 9% year-over-year decline in incidence. Fifty of the 130 ransomware attacks against U.S. educational entities have been confirmed, including the hack of Texas' Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District in September that resulted in the days-long closure of campuses.

On the other hand, Massachusetts' Fall River Public Schools and Washington's Franklin Pierce Schools were noted to have been subjected to one of the highest ransom demands in the sector last year after being sought by the Medusa ransomware operation to pay $400,000 each.