Preparing for evolving ransomware threats in 2025

Key points:

• Schools should focus on modern cybersecurity practices and protecting critical assets
• How to prepare for a school cybersecurity audit
• Schools must bolster network continuity as they adopt more technology
• For more news on ransomware, visit eSN’s IT Leadership hub

In its 2024 threat assessment report, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security declared K-12 school districts “a near constant ransomware target.” The report attributed this alarming trend to budget constraints within school IT departments, insufficient dedicated cybersecurity resources, and the troubling success cybercriminals have had in persuading schools to pay ransoms. These vulnerabilities have made educational institutions a popular target for attackers, threatening not only the privacy of student and staff data, but also the continuity of critical operations.

As ransomware evolves, so must the strategies used to combat it. Traditional perimeter defenses, such as firewalls and antivirus software, are no longer sufficient in an era of artificial intelligence (AI)-fueled cyberattacks. Educational institutions should adopt an “assume breach” mindset focused on internal defenses, such as Zero Trust architectures, data encryption, segmentation tools, and post-breach containment strategies. By limiting attackers’ ability to move laterally within networks and quickly restoring operations after an attack, schools can minimize disruption and ensure the continuity of their missions. Without these proactive measures, the education sector risks falling further behind in ransomware attacks.

A shifting landscape in 2025

The ransomware landscape in 2025 will likely include more sophisticated attacks as threat actors leverage AI and other emerging technologies. These innovations will enable cybercriminals to identify system vulnerabilities faster by leveraging advanced tools, automated scanning methods, and sophisticated analytics. This capability will allow them to uncover weak points in security defenses and launch highly targeted attacks with unprecedented precision, often before schools can detect or respond effectively. Additionally, these tools are highly likely to further automate phishing campaigns, evade traditional detection mechanisms, and adapt in real-time to a school’s defenses.

The rise of advanced ransomware tactics underscores why schools, with their limited defenses and critical data, continue to be prime targets for cybercriminals. Attackers increasingly view the education sector as a high-reward and low-risk opportunity, underscoring the urgent need for a shift toward modern cybersecurity strategies. Fortunately, there are steps that even schools with limited resources can take that will make them better prepared to proactively face these new attacks.

Building internal defenses for education in 2025

To counter the growing sophistication of ransomware attacks, schools must embrace an “assume breach” mindset, which emphasizes strengthening internal defenses so that breaches don’t become cyber disasters. This approach shifts the focus beyond just prevention to include resilience and aims to minimize the impact of a breach by implementing proactive security measures, protocols, and tools designed under the assumption that attackers may already have access to parts of the network. By adopting this mindset, these measures prioritize safeguarding sensitive data, detecting anomalies, and enabling rapid responses to emerging threats before they even occur.

“Assume breach” is strengthened when it is paired with Zero Trust, which operates under a “never trust, always verify” mindset. As a result, measures are put in place to contain breaches quickly–such as continuously verifying users and ensuring they are only accessing the resources they need to access. From there, schools can implement protections that safeguard data in a proactive way, such as modern data encryption methods or apps, which are often quick and cost-effective.

Another vital defense is the adoption of Zero Trust Segmentation (ZTS). ZTS is designed to restrict lateral movement within a network by adopting Zero Trust measures to continuously verify communication and then creating granular policies that allow only essential interactions. For example, if an attacker breaches one segment, ZTS restricts their ability to move freely across the network and access sensitive assets, such as student records or financial databases. This containment strategy minimizes the damage of an attack, isolating threats before they can spread further. By implementing ZTS, schools create a layered defense system that safeguards critical assets while providing resilience against sophisticated cyber threats.

End-to-end visibility is also particularly critical in hybrid environments where a mix of on-premises and cloud-based systems expands the attack surface. By tracking communication between devices, workflows, and external networks, schools can better understand how data moves within their ecosystems. This understanding enables the enforcement of least-privilege policies, granting users access only to the resources they need for their roles. Such restrictions limit an attacker’s ability to exploit compromised accounts, reducing the potential impact of a breach. With a clearer picture of traffic patterns and system behavior, districts can strengthen their defenses against emerging threats.

Pairing Zero Trust principles and “assume breach” mindset with ZTS shifts the focus from preventing all breaches to containing their impact, using security measures and protocols to prevent incidents from escalating into disasters.

Flipping the paradigm: From reactive to proactive

As ransomware threats continue to evolve, schools face a critical inflection point. The growing integration of digital tools in K-12 schools, from virtual learning platforms to smart classroom technologies, has outpaced many districts’ cybersecurity resources, underscoring the urgent need for modern, proactive security strategies. Traditional perimeter defenses alone cannot withstand the sophisticated, AI-driven tactics of modern attackers. By embracing well-rounded and multi-faceted defense measures–such as an “assume breach” mindset, Zero Trust architectures, data encryption, segmentation, and post-breach containment strategies–schools can flip their cybersecurity posture from reactive to proactive. Proactive measures that emphasize containment and resilience set schools up to be better prepared to face the escalating threats of ransomware in 2025 and beyond. 

With a commitment to modern cybersecurity practices and a focus on protecting critical assets, schools can safeguard their data against new ransomware threats and continue to provide safe and secure environments for learning.