Cybercriminals are increasingly setting their sights on wealthy private schools in Australia, as highlighted in a recent report by the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD). With cybercrime costing small businesses nearly $50,000 per attack and individuals around $30,000, the growing trend of attacks on educational institutions is alarming.
Why Are Schools a Target?
Private schools store highly sensitive student records, including health and psychological data. Hackers exploit this information to extort money from parents, making these institutions lucrative targets.
Real-World Impact
A notable case involved a malware attack on the Association of Independent Schools of NSW. A single click on a malicious link allowed cybercriminals to infiltrate the network for three days, prompting intervention by the Australian Federal Police.
Who Else Is at Risk?
Apart from schools, cybercriminals are also targeting sectors like transport, electricity, and waste services. The ASD received 87,000 cybercrime reports last year and responded to 1,100 serious incidents.
Government Warning: Don’t Pay Random
Despite the increasing financial damage, the ASD strongly advises against paying ransoms in ransomware attacks, as there’s no guarantee that stolen data will be recovered.