Back to School, Ready for Cyber Threats

A Message from the Cyber Readiness Institute and the National Student Clearinghouse

As colleges and universities welcome students back for a new academic year, the Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) and the National Student Clearinghouse are joining forces to emphasize the importance of cyber readiness on campus. Ransomware attacks against educational institutions have risen by 23% in the first half of 2025,¹ with hackers increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to create sophisticated attacks. These attacks often target students, faculty, and administrators to gain access to networks and critical data.

Read the post, “Back to School, Ready for Cyber Threats,” on the Cyber Readiness blog to learn how hackers are using AI to target institution.

In the post, John Ramsey, Chief Information and Security Officer at the National Student Clearinghouse, emphasizes the importance of training school staff to identify and prevent cyberattacks. CRI, along with the Clearinghouse, shares the four core areas where you should focus your efforts to enhance your institution’s cyber readiness.

According to John Ramsey, “The Clearinghouse is committed to working with academic institutions to enhance their cyber readiness. We believe that a collaborative effort, grounded in education and awareness, is the most effective way to safeguard sensitive data and maintain the trust of our students and stakeholders.” Read the full post here.

¹https://www.highereddive.com/news/ransomware-attacks-education-jump-23-percent-h1-2025/754011/

“The Clearinghouse is committed to working with academic institutions to enhance their cyber readiness. We believe that a collaborative effort, grounded in education and awareness, is the most effective way to safeguard sensitive data and maintain the trust of our students and stakeholders.”

John Ramsey
Chief Information and Security Officer, National Student Clearinghouse