The New Campus Reality: Building Cyber Resilience Against Ongoing Threats

Higher education institutions continue to face an elevated cyber threat environment, requiring leaders to focus not only on prevention but also on resilience and operational continuity. According to Randy Rose, Vice President of Security Operations and Intelligence at the Center for Internet Security (CIS), colleges and universities are experiencing roughly 4,200 cyberattacks per week in 2026, and "we are still in a state of high threat posture and high stress for defenders." Rose also emphasized that the impact of cyberattacks extends far beyond the classroom, noting that disruptions can affect "food services, quality-of-life services like HVAC systems," as well as sporting events, transportation, and other campus operations. His insights reinforce the need for higher education institutions to strengthen cyber resilience, continuity planning, and community-wide preparedness in the face of ongoing threats..