Schools and universities store large volumes of student records, financial aid data, and research assets, often with limited security resources. Penetration testing helps identify weaknesses in systems like student portals, email servers, and Wi-Fi networks, which are common entry points for attackers. It also aids in compliance with FERPA and other education-related data privacy standards.
Education ranked among the top three industries for ransomware attacks in 2023, according to CISA, with many institutions paying large sums to recover encrypted data. A breach can disrupt learning environments, expose student and faculty data, and result in compliance violations. Regular penetration testing reduces the attack surface and helps schools proactively secure their digital infrastructure.