Limited resources, hybrid classrooms, and connected campuses heighten vulnerabilities; experts warn that security must be treated as an investment, not an afterthought.
India’s education sector has emerged as a particularly attractive target for cybercriminals, with universities and research institutions facing an alarming surge in attacks. According to a recent report, these institutions experience an average of 7,095 cyberattacks per week—a figure higher than that for government agencies (5,140) and consumer goods companies (3,889).
The Half-Year Threat Intelligence Report by Nasdaq-listed Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. notes that globally, the education sector is second only to healthcare in terms of cybersecurity vulnerability. The report also found that India’s weekly average of 3,233 attacks far exceeds the global mean of 2,002, highlighting the country’s heightened exposure.
FutureCrime Summit 2026: Registrations to Open Soon for India’s Biggest Cybercrime Conference
Weak Links and Emerging Threats
Experts point to hybrid learning models and connected campus infrastructures as key drivers of vulnerability. The proliferation of online classes and the use of personal devices in campuses, accelerated by the pandemic, has expanded the attack surface, leaving institutions increasingly exposed.
Sunder Balagopalakrishnan, Managing Director for Check Point Software Technologies, India and SARC Asia, observes:
“India’s education and research sector has become a hub for cyber threats. Remote access Trojans (RATs) and other malware are exploiting the weaknesses in hybrid and connected systems. Institutions must adopt a ‘prevention-first’ approach, including cloud-native security, endpoint protection, and robust threat intelligence.”
Resource Constraints Amplify the Risk
Many Indian universities and colleges operate under constrained budgets and limited IT staff, making robust cybersecurity a challenge. Experts warn that this neglect jeopardizes not only student and researcher data but also intellectual property and ongoing research projects.
Expert Perspective
Former IPS officer and cybersecurity expert Professor Triveni Singh emphasizes that the problem is not merely technical but also a matter of policy and awareness.
“Cybersecurity in India is often treated as an extra expense, when in reality it is an investment. Educational institutions hold vast amounts of data and research—attacks on these systems are not just technical threats; they are matters of national concern,” Singh said.
She further notes that addressing this challenge requires AI-based filtering systems and 24/7 monitoring infrastructure. “Without robust security frameworks, educational institutions will remain the easiest targets for cybercriminals in the years to come,” she warned.
Conclusion
The rising tide of cyberattacks on India’s educational institutions is more than a digital problem. It is a threat to the integrity of knowledge creation, research credibility, and the security of future generations. The pressing question remains: can India’s universities and colleges rise to the challenge, or will they remain open targets for cybercriminals in the digital age?
