- With cyberattacks on the rise across schools, IBM
Education Security Preparedness Grants have already benefited
more than 350,000 students globally
- Now in
its third year, grants are expanding to offer students and teachers
access to cyber and AI skills through IBM SkillsBuild
ARMONK,
N.Y., May 23, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In response
to the growing threat of ransomware attacks against schools around
the world, IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced it will provide in-kind
grants valued at $5 million to help
address cybersecurity resiliency in schools. Since its creation in
2021, the IBM Education Security Preparedness Grants program has
expanded globally, and this year will also include enhanced
offerings from IBM SkillsBuild on topics including AI and
cybersecurity.
Ransomware is unfolding faster than ever, with attackers
managing to cut down the time required to deploy ransomware attacks
from over two months to just under four days between 2019 and 2021,
according to IBM's X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2023. In fact,
the share of cybersecurity incidents observed in the education
sector more than doubled in 2022 compared to the year prior,
experiencing the largest increase year over year than any other
industry.
"Time and time again attackers go after the education sector,
yet many of these institutions remain constrained in their security
resources," said Andy Piazza, Global
Head of Threat Intelligence, IBM Security X-Force. "To date, this
program has helped more than 350,000 students across schools in the
US and abroad, with IBM Service Corps helping them recover from
ransomware attacks, strengthen their security posture against
future attacks, and prevent further disruption."
Applications for schools are now open globally. Grants valued at
$500,000 each ($5 million in total) will be awarded to six
school districts in the US with an additional four around the
world. Volunteers, through IBM Service Corps, will use their
professional skills to help schools establish programs to address
cybersecurity resiliency. Each selected school will receive:
- incident response plans and ransomware playbooks,
- programs to help address the need for updating operating
systems,
- strategic communication plans to use in response to cyber
incidents, and
- training and digital credentials through IBM SkillsBuild on
topics including AI and cybersecurity, and additional benefits such
as enhanced access to IBM mentors, teacher training and toolkits,
and customized learning pathways.
"The global skills gap across cybersecurity and AI is a growing
challenge that demands immediate attention," said Justina
Nixon-Saintil, IBM Chief Impact Officer. "To address this
challenge, IBM awards Education Security Preparedness Grants to
drive impact with schools worldwide. This year, we're excited to
expand the program to bring the benefits of IBM SkillsBuild
training on topics like AI and cybersecurity for students and
teachers."
Since its inception in 2021, IBM has received hundreds of
applications for this award-winning program from school districts
seeking to strengthen their security postures in response to the
growing threats in the education space. Past recipients of the IBM
Education Security Preparedness Grants, a list of which can be
found here, have encouraged other schools to apply.
"With IBM's assistance, we improved our cybersecurity incident
response plan and used it to better prepare us for handling
incidents in the future," said Robert
Losinski, Manager of Information Security at Denver Public Schools. "Attackers are
targeting schools because many do not have mature security
frameworks to effectively defend against ransomware and other
cybercrime. Getting professional assistance in expanding your
cybersecurity program will really help you identify the most
critical areas to protect."
K-12 public schools and educational institutions/organizations
that are interested in applying for IBM's education cybersecurity
grant can apply via IBM.com here:
https://www.ibm.com/impact/initiatives/security. The application
deadline is June 23, 2023.
For more information about IBM's cybersecurity grants for
schools, visit: https://www.ibm.com/impact/initiatives/security.
For more information about IBM Security X-Force's services and
capabilities, visit: https://www.ibm.com/security/xforce
Contact:
Estefania Sanchez Matus
estefania.sanchez@ibm.com
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SOURCE IBM