IBM announces $5 million grant to improve preparedness against cyberattacks
Ransomware attacks on schools are becoming more common as they become more reliant on technology. IBM today 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 significant costs that will follow, as the FBI, DHS CISA, and MS-ISCA anticipate an increase in cyberattacks against schools during the 2022/2023 academic year. With cybercriminals continuing 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 49% of data breaches experienced by the industry were caused by a malicious attack, nearly 30% 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 United States and will award grants to six school districts. This year, the program is also expanding internationally, with grant recipients in Ireland and the United Arab Emirates announced today, and recipients in Costa Rica and Brazil to be announced later.
For 2022, IBM Education Security Preparedness’ grant recipients are the following:
Schools are bracing for potential cyberattacks and the significant costs that will follow, as the FBI, DHS CISA, and MS-ISCA anticipate an increase in cyberattacks against schools during the 2022/2023 academic year. With cybercriminals continuing 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 49% of data breaches experienced by the industry were caused by a malicious attack, nearly 30% 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 United States and will award grants to six school districts. This year, the program is also expanding internationally, with grant recipients in Ireland and the United Arab Emirates announced today, and recipients in Costa Rica and Brazil to be announced later.
For 2022, IBM Education Security Preparedness’ grant recipients are the following:
- In Ireland - City of Dublin Educational Training Board
- In the UAE - Mohamed Bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence
- In the US - Cupertino Union School District, Sunnyvale, CA
- In the US - Rossville Cons. School District, Rossville, IN
- In China - East China School District
- In the US - Newburgh Enlarged City School District, Newburgh, NY
- In the US - Goffstown School District, Goffstown, NH
- In the US - Prince William County Public Schools, Manassas, VA
"Ransomware operators are increasingly setting their sights on schools, putting more pressure on these institutions to prioritize their cybersecurity. Cyberattacks on schools do not only impact the schools themselves, as the aftermath cascades down to students and their families, creating a very palpable effect on their communities," said Charles Henderson, Global Managing Partner, and Head of IBM Security X-Force.
"We're proud to be able to support schools through this initiative, now in its second year, by helping to address critical gaps in security resources and planning and preparedness."
The grant applications received by IBM shed light on the schools' levels of cybersecurity awareness, preparedness, and training, confirming that there is a constant need for improved security education and skills across industries and around the world.
Now in its second year, the program has already benefited schools across the country.
"Before this grant, we were completely lacking in confidence in our cybersecurity. The IBM team came in and showed us how to create a cybersecurity strategy and plan for emergencies based on our needs. We feel optimistic about our cybersecurity posture today thanks to IBM's help. The IBM team was populated with top-tier experts and our team benefited greatly from all their knowledge and experience. If you have data and systems worth protecting, as all schools do, this program is extremely worthwhile," said Barrett Puschus, Director of Information Technology at Brevard Public Schools, a recipient of the 2021 Education Security Preparedness grant.
IBM Service Corps volunteers are expected to assist schools in proactively preparing for and responding to cyber threats. Depending on the needs of each school, engagements may include the development of incident response plans, ransomware playbooks, technology updates, cybersecurity training for school communities, and more.
"We're excited to be launching this program for the second year in a row as part of IBM's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to help schools strengthen their security postures in response to the growing threats in the education space," said Patrice Key-Rhone, Global Director of Employee Giving & Volunteerism at IBM. "At IBM we're committed to supporting schools around the globe via our education and volunteer programs in order to help create equitable impact."
"We're proud to be able to support schools through this initiative, now in its second year, by helping to address critical gaps in security resources and planning and preparedness."
The grant applications received by IBM shed light on the schools' levels of cybersecurity awareness, preparedness, and training, confirming that there is a constant need for improved security education and skills across industries and around the world.
Now in its second year, the program has already benefited schools across the country.
"Before this grant, we were completely lacking in confidence in our cybersecurity. The IBM team came in and showed us how to create a cybersecurity strategy and plan for emergencies based on our needs. We feel optimistic about our cybersecurity posture today thanks to IBM's help. The IBM team was populated with top-tier experts and our team benefited greatly from all their knowledge and experience. If you have data and systems worth protecting, as all schools do, this program is extremely worthwhile," said Barrett Puschus, Director of Information Technology at Brevard Public Schools, a recipient of the 2021 Education Security Preparedness grant.
IBM Service Corps volunteers are expected to assist schools in proactively preparing for and responding to cyber threats. Depending on the needs of each school, engagements may include the development of incident response plans, ransomware playbooks, technology updates, cybersecurity training for school communities, and more.
"We're excited to be launching this program for the second year in a row as part of IBM's Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives to help schools strengthen their security postures in response to the growing threats in the education space," said Patrice Key-Rhone, Global Director of Employee Giving & Volunteerism at IBM. "At IBM we're committed to supporting schools around the globe via our education and volunteer programs in order to help create equitable impact."
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