Cybersecurity experts are urging universities across South Africa to tighten their digital defences as cyber-attacks targeting educational institutions continue to rise.
According to KnowBe4 Africa, a leading cybersecurity firm, the open and collaborative nature of university networks—particularly their email systems—makes them increasingly vulnerable to malicious attacks. The company has raised the alarm, encouraging both students and university management to adopt stronger cybersecurity measures.
A recent report from tech giant Microsoft ranks the education sector as the third most targeted globally, with African institutions showing heightened susceptibility to breaches.
Anna Collard, a spokesperson for KnowBe4 Africa, emphasised the importance of implementing preventative strategies.
“Higher education institutions and schools are increasingly in the crosshairs of cybercriminals,” she said. “While the rise in digitisation and the use of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are vital for educational advancement, they also introduce new vulnerabilities that criminals are eager to exploit.”
Collard recommends a combination of cybersecurity awareness training, robust digital infrastructure, and regular system updates to help mitigate the risks.
The warning comes amid a global surge in ransomware and phishing attacks on schools and universities, which often store large volumes of sensitive student and research data.