Cyber-attacks on UK universities underline persistent risk across the sector

Despite ongoing efforts, cyber criminals continue to target UK universities at an alarming rate. The latest figures tell the story – research from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has found that 98% of higher education institutions in the UK have been subject to a cyber-attack or data breach in the past year.

The question, then, is straightforward: what can be done to strengthen defences, and how can universities respond more effectively to an increasingly persistent threat?

The evolving nature of cyber risk

Cyber incidents affecting universities vary significantly in both scale and complexity, but they tend to expose the same underlying challenges.

In practice, attackers use a range of entry points. In some cases, access is gained through compromised credentials or phishing activity, allowing attackers to make use of existing user permissions. In others, weaknesses in third-party platforms or integrations create opportunities to access data indirectly. Vulnerabilities in core systems can also be exploited, particularly where updates are delayed or visibility is limited.

These entry points differ in method, but the outcome is often the same: once initial access is established, it becomes significantly easier to move through the environment and reach sensitive financial, operational or personal information.

The scale of the challenge

The frequency of cyberattacks on UK universities tells part of the story, but not all of it. The real issue lies in how these institutions are leaving their technology estates open to exploitation.

Universities now operate across a mix of internal systems and external platforms that support everything from finance and student records to learning environments and assessment. While there is often some level of integration between these systems, they largely remain standalone, with data spread across multiple platforms and no clear, consistent view of access or activity.

As digital estates expand, so too does the surface available to exploit, particularly where responsibility for security is shared across multiple platforms and providers.

Many universities are still working with this kind of fragmented setup. Security in this environment tends to develop in stages, with new tools introduced alongside existing systems rather than as part of a single, coherent approach. The result is a collection of controls that do not always connect, making it harder to see where risks sit or how access is being used.

Findings from the OneAdvanced Education Trends Report 2026 reinforce the picture. Nearly one fifth of organisations cite weak data protection measures as a barrier to improvement, while almost a quarter report a lack of regular audits or review processes.

The shift to identity-led, integrated security

A consistent pattern is emerging across the sector. In many cases, attackers are not forcing their way into systems, but making use of access that already exists – whether through compromised credentials, poorly managed integrations, or vulnerabilities in platforms that institutions rely on as part of day-to-day operations.

Once that access is established, it becomes significantly easier to move further into the environment.

This places identity at the centre of the problem. Understanding who has access to which systems, and how that access is controlled, is fundamental. Measures such as Single Sign On (SSO), Multi Factor Authentication (MFA), and clearly defined permissions do not remove risk entirely, but they do limit how far an attacker can move once inside.

The same principle applies to integration. Where systems are connected through controlled, well defined interfaces, it becomes easier to monitor activity and apply consistent rules. Where connections are loosely managed, gaps appear that are harder to detect and manage.

Where IQ for Education fits

This is where IQ for Education from OneAdvanced becomes relevant.

Rather than adding further complexity, the focus is on bringing identity, integration and data management together within a structure that can be governed consistently. This reduces fragmentation and provides a clear view of how systems connect and how access is managed across them. IQ for Education features:

• Security by design – identity controls such as SSO and MFA established as part of the core framework
• Controlled integrations – API-led connections between systems, reducing reliance on shared credentials
• Stronger supply chain oversight – clearer governance of third-party platforms and how they are accessed
• Faster response to threats – centralised updates and monitoring as new vulnerabilities are identified
• Full visibility and reporting – a consistent view of access, activity and system interactions

Together, these capabilities give universities a clearer picture of how their systems operate in practice, and greater control over how access is managed across them. That combination of visibility and control addresses many of the weaknesses seen across the sector, without adding further complexity.

A defining moment for the sector

Universities can no longer afford to take a reactive approach to cyber security or assume that existing controls are sufficient.

For leadership teams, the implications are straightforward. Cyber security is no longer a background concern; it sits alongside operational resilience, compliance and trust as a core consideration.

Cyber-attacks will continue. What matters is whether universities are set up to deal with them.

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Find out more…

Don’t miss our webinar on 7 July where our experts will talk you through IQ for Education and how connected intelligence – underpinned by secure, sovereign AI – can drive your teams forward and keep your data safe.

We also have a key whitepaper: Connected by design: How embedded intelligence is shaping education – where we highlight how a connected approach to systems and workflows can make a material difference to your day-to-day operations.