A recent study by cybersecurity firm Sophos revealed the troubling state of ransomware threats in educational institutions. The report, titled "The State of Ransomware in Education 2023," found that a high percentage of schools and universities were targeted by ransomware attacks in the past year. Specifically, the survey found that 80% of lower education providers, such as elementary and middle schools, and 79% of higher education institutions, including colleges and universities, reported encountering instances involving ransomware.
These statistics represent an increase compared to previous years, and the findings underscore the urgent need for schools and universities to implement robust cybersecurity measures to protect their critical data and systems from ransomware attacks.
Ransomware, as we know, is a type of malware that encrypts a victim's files and makes them inaccessible. Attackers then demand a ransom payment in exchange for a decryption key. Even if institutions pay the ransom, there is no guarantee they will regain access to their data.
The potential consequences of a successful ransomware attack on a school or university can be severe. Disrupted operations, compromised student data and delayed research projects are just some of the potential ramifications. Therefore, there is an urgent need for robust cybersecurity measures within the educational sector.
Enter Conceal and Carahsoft Technology Corp.
Conceal’s mission is to defend organizations against web-based threats. ConcealBrowse, for example, is a private, lightweight, easy-to-deploy AI-powered browser extension that detects, prevents and shields users from phishing, credential theft and other sophisticated social engineering attacks.
Carahsoft is trademarked as The Trusted Government IT Solutions Provider that supports public sector organizations across federal, state and local government agencies and education and healthcare markets. The provider delivers solutions for cybersecurity, multicloud, devsecops, big data, AI, open source, customer experience and more.
The two recently unveiled an initiative to fortify the cybersecurity infrastructure of U.S. educational institutions, which will see the provision of up to 500 free ConcealBrowse licenses for students across the U.S., with additional discounts for schools with larger populations.
“This new initiative with Conceal and our reseller partners underscores our dedication to protecting students from cyberattacks," said Craig P. Abod, Carahsoft's president.
As mentioned earlier in the article, ConcealBrowse utilizes AI-powered browser security to protect students and institutions. Additionally, schools can leverage content blocking features to restrict access to inappropriate websites, such as those promoting gambling, violence or adult content.
By integrating ConcealBrowse, students navigate the web more securely, which mitigates the risk of cyberattacks that could disrupt learning or compromise sensitive data.
“Conceal has a long-standing relationship with Carahsoft and we’re both committed to securing the digital futures of students across the U.S.,” said Gordon Lawson, CEO of Conceal. “Our initiative not only addresses the immediate need for enhanced browser security but also signifies our long-term commitment to the safety and well-being of students in the digital age.”
To register for these free licenses, eligible U.S. educational institutions should visit the dedicated registration page. The streamlined process ensures schools and students can gain access to ConcealBrowse quickly.
Edited by
Alex Passett
