Cyberattacks on Long Island Schools Highlight Growing Threat
In a concerning development, over 20 school districts across Long Island have fallen victim to cyberattacks, compromising the personal data of more than 10,000 students. According to state education records, 28 incidents were reported in 2024 alone, affecting districts such as Great Neck, Smithtown, Brentwood, and Hewlett-Woodmere. New York Post+1New York Post+1
The Nature of the Threat
These breaches have exposed sensitive student information, including personal and financial data. Notably, third-party breaches compromised the records of over 6,000 students in Great Neck, approximately 1,000 in Smithtown, and nearly 2,400 combined in Brentwood and Hewlett-Woodmere. New York Post
Experts highlight that schools are increasingly attractive targets for cybercriminals due to the richness of student data. Randy Rose, Vice President of Security Operations at the Center for Internet Security, emphasized that beyond grades, schools hold personal and sometimes financial information, making them lucrative targets. New York Post
Human Error and Phishing Attacks
Approximately 45% of these cyber intrusions stemmed from human error, including phishing emails, fake login pages, and malware disguised as digital ads. This underscores the critical need for comprehensive cybersecurity training and awareness programs within educational institutions. New York Post
Operational Disruptions and Long-Term Consequences
The impact of these breaches extends beyond data loss. Cyber incidents have disrupted afterschool programs, delayed lunch services, and even halted statewide testing. For students, the ramifications can be long-lasting, potentially affecting credit scores and hindering future opportunities such as college admissions or obtaining financial aid. New York Post
Budget Constraints and Cybersecurity Challenges
Despite record funding in New York’s new state budget, including an additional $270 million for Long Island schools, the allocation of cybersecurity resources depends on individual district decisions. Michael Nizich, an adjunct associate professor of computer science at the New York Institute of Technology, noted that the level of regularly updated cybersecurity prevention necessary to adequately protect school districts is often economically unfeasible. New York Post
A Final Note
As educational institutions continue to face evolving cyber threats, it’s imperative to adopt proactive measures to safeguard sensitive data. Seceon offers AI-driven cybersecurity solutions that provide real-time threat detection and automated response, helping schools protect their digital infrastructure effectively.
The post Cyberattacks on Long Island Schools Highlight Growing Threat appeared first on Seceon Inc.
*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from Seceon Inc authored by Maggie MacAlpine. Read the original post at: https://seceon.com/cyberattacks-on-long-island-schools-highlight-growing-threat/
