"IBM Grants a Total of $5 Million In-Kind To Bolster Schools' Cybersecurity Preparedness"
Ransomware attacks on schools are becoming more common as they become more reliant on technology. Ransomware operators are increasingly targeting schools, putting additional pressure on these institutions to prioritize cybersecurity. Cyberattacks on schools have a far-reaching impact on students and their families, creating a palpable impact on their communities, according to Charles Henderson, Global Managing Partner and Head of IBM Security X-Force. IBM has announced the first eight recipients of the 2022 IBM Education Security Preparedness Grants, totaling $5 million in in-kind services, to assist schools worldwide in proactively preparing for and responding to cyberattacks. Each grant will fund IBM Service Corps volunteers to help selected school districts improve their cybersecurity resilience. Schools are bracing for potential cyberattacks and the high costs that will follow, as the FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and MS-ISCA anticipate an increase in cyberattacks against schools during the 2022/2023 academic year. As cybercriminals continue to view schools as appealing targets, IBM's 2022 Cost of a Data Breach Report revealed that the average cost of a data breach for educational institutions is $3.86 million. While a malicious attack caused 49 percent of data breaches experienced by the industry, nearly 30 percent were caused by human error, emphasizing the importance of proper cybersecurity training and education in schools. The IBM Education Security Preparedness Grants program, now in its second year, received over 120 applications from schools across the US and will award grants to six school districts. This year, the program is also expanding internationally, with grant recipients in Ireland, UAE, Costa Rica, and Brazil. This article continues to discuss the IBM Education Security Preparedness Grants program aimed at strengthening schools' cybersecurity preparedness.