This page lists known hacking attacks on universities and colleges from 2022 and 2021. Universities generally communicate very openly when they have been hit by a cyberattack, partly because a large number of students are usually affected. Therefore, the number of unreported cases is likely to be low, at least for large cyber attacks.

New / recently added
Statistics: Cyber attacks on colleges and universities 2023

Cyber attacks on a university in Switzerland
Universität Zürich (UZH) - Zurich, Canton of Zürich, Switzerland
https://www.nzz.ch/zuerich/massiver-cybe...

Cyber attack on a private university of applied sciences in Germany
Europäische Fachhochschule - Brühl, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (Rhein-Erft-Kreis)
https://www.eufh.de/hochschule/pressemit...
⭐⭐⭐ KonBriefing thinks: very good immediate communication by the affected organization.

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Germany
Hochschule Harz - Wernigerode, Sachsen-Anhalt, Germany (Landkreis Harz)
https://www.n-tv.de/regionales/sachsen-a...
The affected organization informed the public about the incident.

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Germany
Hochschule Ruhr West (HRW) - Mülheim an der Ruhr, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
https://www.hochschule-ruhr-west.de/hrwo...
⭐⭐⭐ KonBriefing thinks: very good immediate communication by the affected organization.

U.S. hospital system's websites affected by cyberattack on IT service provider
Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA (Washtenaw County)
https://www.cbsnews.com/detroit/news/mic...

DDoS attack on the website of a university hospital in the Netherlands
Maastricht UMC+ (MUMC+) - Maastricht, Netherlands
https://www.ad.nl/maastricht/ook-maastri...
Methods: DDoS attack

DDoS attack on the website of a university hospital in the Netherlands
Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen - Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
https://www.umcg.nl/
https://dvhn.nl/groningen/Websites-van-U...
Methods: DDoS attack

Cyber attack on a university in Germany
Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (TUBAF) - Freiberg, Saxony, Germany (Landkreis Mittelsachsen)
https://www.tubaf.org/
https://www.freiepresse.de/mittelsachsen...
The affected organization informed the public about the incident.

Attempted cyber attack on a University in Austria
Universität Innsbruck - Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
https://www.uibk.ac.at/de/newsroom/2023/...

Cyber attack on a college in British Columbia
Okanagan College - Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
https://www.okanagan.bc.ca/news/update-o...
⭐⭐⭐ KonBriefing thinks: very good immediate communication by the affected organization.

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Germany
Fachhochschule Westküste - Heide (Holstein), Germany (Kreis Dithmarschen)
https://www.fh-westkueste.de/home/
The affected organization informed the public about the incident.

Unauthorized access at a university in Denmark
Aalborg Universitet (AAU) - Aalborg, Denmark
https://www.version2.dk/artikel/aalborg-...
Statistics: Cyber attacks on colleges and universities 2022

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Germany
Hochschule für Angewandte Wissenschaften Hamburg (HAW Hamburg) - Hamburg, Germany
https://www.facebook.com/HAW.Hamburg/pos...
https://www.haw-hamburg.de/en/university...
⭐⭐⭐ KonBriefing thinks: very good immediate communication by the affected organization.

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Germany
Zwickau, Saxony, Germany (Landkreis Zwickau)
https://www.fh-zwickau.de/zki/it-cyberan...
⭐⭐⭐ KonBriefing thinks: very good immediate communication by the affected organization.

Cyber attack on a university in Australia
Queensland University of Technology (QUT) - Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-22/q...

DDoS attack on the provisional website of a recently hacked university in Germany?
Uni Duisburg-Essen - Duisburg, Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
https://www.waz.de/staedte/essen/homepag...

Ransomware at a temporary employment company of a university in the Netherlands
Universiteit Leiden / JobMotion B.V. - Leiden, Zuid-Holland, Netherlands
https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/jobmot...
https://www.medewerkers.universiteitleid...
⭐⭐⭐ KonBriefing thinks: very good immediate communication by the affected organization.

Cyber attack on a college in Illinois
Knox College - Galesburg, Illinois, USA (Knox County)
https://eu.galesburg.com/story/news/loca...

Ransomware at a technical university in Paris
IUT de Paris - Rives de Seine / Université Paris Cité - Paris, France
https://iutparis-seine.u-paris.fr/inform...
The affected organization informed the public about the incident.

Cyber attack on a polytechnic institute in France
Grenoble INP - Université Grenoble-Alpes UGA - Grenoble, Département Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
https://www.lemagit.fr/actualites/252527...

Cyber attack on a university in Portugal
Universidade Católica Portuguesa - Lisbon, Portugal
https://expresso.pt/life_style/ciencia/2...

Cyber attack on a university in Germany
Uni Duisburg-Essen - Duisburg, Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
https://www.uni-due.de/index.php
The affected organization informed the public about the incident.

Cyber attack on a university in Louisiana
Xavier University of Louisiana - New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
https://www.govtech.com/education/higher...

Unauthorized access at a university in Germany
Technische Hochschule Ulm (THU) - Ulm, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
https://studium.hs-ulm.de/de/Seiten/news...
The affected organization informed the public about the incident.

Cyber attack on a college in Ohio
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College - Cincinnati, Ohio, USA (Hamilton County)
https://www.cincinnatistate.edu/restorat...
⭐⭐⭐ KonBriefing thinks: very good updated information on the incident by the affected organization.

Cyberattack on a university in Germany
Hochschule Heilbronn - Heilbronn, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
https://www.hs-heilbronn.de/de/it-servic...
https://www.hs-heilbronn.de/de/cyberangr...
⭐⭐⭐ KonBriefing thinks: very good immediate communication by the affected organization.
⭐⭐⭐⭐ KonBriefing thinks: excellent updated information on the incident by the affected organization.

Cyberattack on a university in Colombia
Universidad Piloto de Colombia - Bogota, Colombia
https://www.facebook.com/UniPilotoOficia...

Cyberattack on a North Carolina college
Guilford College - Greensboro, North Carolina, USA (Guilford County)
https://www.guilfordian.com/news/2022/11...

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Germany
Hochschule für Technik, Wirtschaft und Kultur Leipzig (HTWK) - Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
https://www.htwk-leipzig.de/no_cache/hoc...
⭐⭐⭐ KonBriefing thinks: very good immediate communication by the affected organization.

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Germany
Hochschule Ansbach - Ansbach, Bavaria, Germany
https://www.nordbayern.de/region/ansbach...

Cyber attack at a private university in Mississippi
William Carey University - Hattiesburg, Mississippi, USA (Forrest County)
https://www.wdam.com/2022/10/01/william-...

Unauthorized access at a college in Michigan
Hope College - Holland, Michigan, USA (Ottawa County, Allegan County)
https://oag.ca.gov/system/files/Adult_re...

Cyberattack on a cluster of universities in France
Pôle Universitaire Léonard de Vinci - Courbevoie, Département Hauts-de-Seine, Île-de-France, France
https://www.rtl.fr/actu/sciences-tech/in...

Students of a university in the Netherlands affected by a hack
Hogeschool Utrecht - Utrecht, Netherlands

Students of a university in the Netherlands affected by a hack
TU Eindhoven - Eindhoven, Netherlands
https://www.rtlnieuws.nl/economie/artike...

Cyber attack on a polytechnic university in France
Institut national polytechnique de Toulouse (INP) - Toulouse, Département Haute-Garonne, Occitanie, France
https://www.ladepeche.fr/2022/09/13/lins...

Cyber attack on a university in the United Kingdom
SOAS University of London (School of Oriental and African Studies) - London, United Kingdom
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-glou...

Cyber attack on a Canadian university
University of Guelph - Guelph, Ontario, Canada
https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/u-of-g-stud...
https://news.uoguelph.ca/systems-status/

China accuses U.S. of cyber espionage at university
Northwestern Polytechnical University / 西北工业大学 - Xi’an, People's Republic of China
https://australiancybersecuritymagazine....

Ransomware at a university closed shortly after in the U.S.
Stratford University - Alexandria, Virginia, USA
https://apps.web.maine.gov/online/aeview...

Unauthorized access at a university in Denmark
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet (DTU) - Lyngby, Denmark

Unauthorized access at hospitals in Michigan
Michigan Medicine - University of Michigan - Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA (Washtenaw County)
https://www.michiganmedicine.org/news-re...

Cyberattack on a research organization in Canada
Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) - Québec, Québec, Canada
https://inrs.ca/cyberattaque/
https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/193...

Cyber attack on an art college in the USA
Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) - Savannah, Georgia, USA (Chatham County)
https://eu.savannahnow.com/story/news/20...

Facebook account of a university in Kentucky hijacked
Thomas More University - Crestview Hills, Kentucky, USA (Kenton County)
An alternative account was put into operation.
https://www.facebook.com/ThomasMoreUnive...

Unauthorized access at a university in Australia
University of Western Australia - Perth, Western Australia, Australia
https://www.itnews.com.au/news/student-d...

Ransomware at a US university
Whitworth University - Spokane Valley, Washington, USA (Spokane County)
https://www.govtech.com/education/higher...

Cyber attack on a university in Germany
Bergische Universität Wuppertal - Wuppertal, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
https://www.uni-wuppertal.de/de/news/det...

Unauthorized access to personal data of a university in Australia
Deakin University - Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
https://blogs.deakin.edu.au/deakinlife/2...

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Switzerland
Haute École Arc (HE-Arc) - Neuchâtel, Canton de Neuchâtel, Switzerland
https://www.inside-it.ch/schon-wieder-cy...

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Germany
FH Münster - Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
https://meinefh.de/
https://www.fh-muenster.de/hochschule/ak...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l_UzKlbL...
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ KonBriefing thinks: outstanding sustainable communication and retrospection by the affected organization.

Cyber attack on a university in Austria
Medizinische Universität Innsbruck - Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria
https://www.tt.com/artikel/30823491/cybe...

Cyber attack on a university in Ontario, Canada
University of Windsor - Windsor, Ontario, Canada
https://blackburnnews.com/windsor/windso...

Cyberattack on a university in Italy
Università di Pisa - Pisa, Tuscany, Italy
https://www.wired.it/article/attacco-inf...

Cyberattack on a pedagogical university in Germany
Pädagogische Hochschule Freiburg - Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
https://www.badische-zeitung.de/paedagog...

Learning platform for distance learning in Austria affected by cyber attack
AMC Wirtschaftsakademie GmbH - Vienna, Austria
The platform is affected by a cyberattack on a data center in Germany.
https://mba-studium.at/lernplattform-war...

DDoS attack on the University of Liège, Belgium
Université de Liège (ULiège) - Liège, Wallonia, Belgium
The attack lasted for 27 hours.
https://www.lesoir.be/444504/article/202...

Potenital cyberattack on a university in Ireland
National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway) - Galway, Ireland
The National University of Ireland Galway was already the target of a serious attack in September 2021.
https://www.rte.ie/news/connacht/2022/05...

Ransomware at a university in Pennsylvania
Mercyhurst University - Erie, Pennsylvania, USA (Erie County)
https://www.erienewsnow.com/story/465235...

Cyberattack on a college in Georgia, USA
College of Coastal Georgia - Brunswick, Georgia, USA (Glynn County)
https://www.facebook.com/coastalgeorgia

Cyber attack at a university of applied sciences in Berlin
Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin - Berlin, Germany
https://www.f3.htw-berlin.de/it-sicherhe...

Cyber attack on a college in the UK
Carmel College - St Helens, North West England, Merseyside, United Kingdom
https://www.sthelensstar.co.uk/news/2014...

Ransomware at a university in Tennessee
Austin Peay State University (APSU) - Clarksville, Tennessee, USA
https://therecord.media/austin-peay-stat...

Unauthorized access to data of a university library in Germany
Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig - Leipzig, Saxony, Germany
Affected are about 70,000 records with personal data.
https://www.ub.uni-leipzig.de/aktuelles/...

Ransomware at a university in Florida
Florida International University (FIU) - Miami, Florida, USA
https://therecord.media/blackcat-ransomw...

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Belgium
Hogeschool Vives - Kortrijk, Belgium
https://www.vrt.be/vrtnws/nl/2022/04/12/...

Hacker attack on e-mail accounts of the University of Salzburg, Austria
Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg (PLUS) - Salzburg, Austria
The university is named after Archbishop Paris Graf von Lodron (Paride Lodron), who founded it in 1622.

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Germany
Technische Hochschule Aschaffenburg - Aschaffenburg, Bavaria, Germany
The university offers degree programs in the fields of science, technology, business, law and health.
(German)
https://www.th-ab.de/hochschule/aktuelle...

Cyberattack on a university in Edinburgh, UK
Heriot-Watt University - Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom
https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/news/edi...

DDoS attacks on French-speaking universities in Belgium
Belgium
https://www.lesoir.be/431382/article/202...

Church university in Brazil affected by cyber attack
Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR) - Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
As a result of the cyberattack on Grupo Marista.
https://www.cisoadvisor.com.br/grupo-mar...

Ransomware at the French Civil Aviation College
École nationale de l'aviation civile (ENAC) - Toulouse, Département Haute-Garonne, Occitanie, France
https://www.lemagit.fr/actualites/252514...

Ransomware at a university in North Carolina
North Carolina A&T State University (N.C. A&T) - Greensboro, North Carolina, USA
https://arstechnica.com/information-tech...

Cyber attack on a university of applied sciences in Germany
Hochschule Anhalt - Köthen, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany (Anhalt-Bitterfeld district)
https://www.mz.de/lokal/koethen/hackerat...

Massive attacks on Wordpress sites of Ukrainian universities
Ukraine
Starting with the Russian invasion, at least 30 web presences were hacked.
https://www.wordfence.com/blog/2022/03/u...

Cyber attack in a university in Switzerland
Université de Neuchâtel - Neuchâtel, Canton de Neuchâtel, Switzerland
https://www.arcinfo.ch/neuchatel-canton/...

Cyber attack on an engineering school in France
EPF Ecole d'ingénieurs - Cachan, Île-de-France / Val-de-Marne, France
https://www.epf.fr/article/communique-de...

Cyberattack on a university of applied sciences in Finland
Savonia-ammattikorkeakoulu (Savonia AMK) - Kuopio, Finland
https://www.savonia.fi/uutiset/savoniaan...

Cyber attack on a private university in Detroit
University of Detroit Mercy - Detroit, Michigan, USA
https://www.audacy.com/wwjnewsradio/news...

Cyber attack on a college in Bermuda
Bermuda College - Paget Parish, Bermuda
https://www.royalgazette.com/crime/news/...

More DDoS attacks on a University of Applied Sciences in Germany
FH Münster - Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
https://twitter.com/fh_muenster/status/1...

DDoS attacks on a University of Applied Sciences in Germany
FH Münster - Münster, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
https://www.fh-muenster.de/hochschule/ak...

Cyber attack on a university in Colorado
University of Colorado Boulder - Boulder, Colorado, USA
https://www.cuindependent.com/2022/02/10...

DDoS attack on a university magazine in the Netherlands
observant - Maastricht, Netherlands
https://www.observantonline.nl/Home/Arti...
Statistics: Cyber attacks on colleges and universities 2021

Cyber attack on a university in Barcelona
Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC) - Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
https://cronicaglobal.elespanol.com/crea...

Cyberattack on a college in Illinois
Lincoln College - Lincoln, Illinois, USA
The cyberattack contributed to the college's May 2022 closure.
https://lincolncollege.edu/

Cyber attack on a university in Brazil
Instituto Federal do Paraná (IFPR) - Brasilia, Brazil
https://www.tecmundo.com.br/redes-sociai...

Cyberattack on a university in Bogotá, Colombia
Universidad Javeriana - Bogota, Colombia
https://www.rcnradio.com/bogota/universi...

Unauthorized access to email at a university in New York state
Syracuse University - Syracuse, New York, USA
https://dailyorange.com/2022/03/two-emai...

Cyberattack on the Nuremberg Institute of Technology, Germany
Nuremberg Institute of Technology / Nuremberg Tech - Nuremberg, Bavaria, Germany
https://www.th-nuernberg.de/news/4436-cy...

Cyberattack on the University of Lisbon
Universidade de Lisboa - Lisbon, Portugal
https://www.publico.pt/2021/11/02/socied...

Hacker attack on a university of education in Germany
Pädagogische Hochschule Weingarten - Weingarten, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
https://ph-weingarten.de/die-ph/aktuelle...

Cyberattack on the Sunderland University
Sunderland University - Sunderland, England, United Kingdom
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-tyne...

Ransomware at a university in Barcelona
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona / Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona - Barcelona, Spain
https://www.uab.cat/2021/11/11/la-uab-co...

Ransomware attack on a university in Maryland, USA
Washington Adventist University (WAU) - Takoma Park, Maryland, USA
https://www.wau.edu/wau-ransomware-attac...

The University of Mpumalanga in South Africa averts a cyber scam
University of Mpumalanga (UMP) - Mbombela, Mpumalanga, South Africa
As a result of the successful defense, the university lost only 3000 Rand (200 US Dollars) instead of potentially 100 million Rand (6.7 millon US Dollars)
https://www.itweb.co.za/content/Kjlyrvw1...

Ransomware at an institute of the University of Leipzig, Germany
Institut für Medizinische Informatik, Statistik und Epidemiologie (IMISE) - Leipzig, Saxonia, Germany
https://www.imise.uni-leipzig.de/

Cyber attack on the university of Galway, Ireland
National University of Ireland Galway (NUI Galway) - Galway, Ireland
https://www.rte.ie/news/2021/0930/124991...

Ransomware at a private university in Washington, D.C.
Howard University - Washington, D.C., USA
Affected is the Howard University.
https://newsroom.howard.edu/newsroom/art...

Hacker attack on the University of Colorado Boulder
University of Colorado Boulder - Boulder, Colorado, USA (Boulder County)
The attack on vulnerability in an Atlassian software leaked personal data of 30,000 former employees and students.
https://www.colorado.edu/today/2021/10/2...

Ransomware attack on University of Liechtenstein
University of Liechtenstein - Liechtenstein
In the night from Sunday 15.08. to Monday 16.08., University of Liechtenstein became a victim of a ransomware attack.
https://www.uni.li/de

Targeted attack on experts with a focus on the Middle East
London, United Kingdom
The security service provider Proofpoint has analyzed a targeted attack on experts, professors and journalists with a focus on the Middle East. Access data to various online services was to be tapped via the compromised website of a well-known institute of the University of London. The attack is attributed to Iran.
https://www.proofpoint.com/us/blog/threa...

Server of a university in the Netherlands hacked
Leiden, Netherlands
Server of Leiden University Observatory was hacked and data was siphoned off, perpetrators demand about 450,000 Euros.
https://www.ad.nl/tech/universiteit-leid...

Cyber attack on university in Bogota, Colombia
University Bogota - Bogota, Colombia
https://agenciapi.co/noticia/academia/un...

Cyber attack on a university in Glasgow
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) - Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
https://www.gcu.ac.uk/theuniversity/univ...

IT attack on the Technical University of Berlin
Technical University of Berlin - Berlin, Germany
https://www.tu.berlin/themen/einschraenk...

Data theft at the University of California
University of California - California, USA
Through a vulnerability in file transfer software.
https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu...

Ransomware at a college in Dublin, Ireland
National College of Ireland (NCI) - Dublin, Ireland
https://www.thejournal.ie/tu-dublin-rans...

Ransomware attack at a university in Dublin, Ireland
Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) - Dublin, Ireland
https://www.thejournal.ie/tu-dublin-rans...

Data theft at the Stanford University
Stanford University - Stanford, California, USA (Santa Clara County)
Through a vulnerability in file transfer software.
https://www.stanforddaily.com/2021/04/01...

Hacker attack on the University of Northampton
University of Northampton - Northampton, England, United Kingdom
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-nort...

Cyberattack on a university in Scotland
University of the Highlands and Islands - Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-hig...

Cyber attack on the University of Millersville, Pennsylvania
Millersville University of Penn. - Millersville, Pennsylvania, USA
http://thesnapper.millersville.edu/index...

Data theft and extortion at US university
University of Colorado - Colorado, USA
Through a vulnerability in file transfer software.
https://www.cu.edu/accellion-cyberattack

Ransomware at a university in Nebraska
Midland University - Fremont, Nebraska, USA
https://ago.vermont.gov/blog/2022/01/25/...

Multiple University of Huntsville email accounts compromised
University of Alabama in Huntsville - Huntsville, Alabama, USA
https://www.waff.com/2021/02/19/uah-emai...
Statistics: Cyber attacks on colleges and universities 2020

Data theft at University of Maryland, followed by extortion
Through a vulnerability in file transfer software.
https://www.govtech.com/education/higher...

Angriff auf das Git der Universität Augsburg
https://www.augsburger-allgemeine.de/aug...

Cyber attack on the University of Aalborg
Aalborg, Denmark
https://nordjyske.dk/nyheder/aalborg/aal...

Cyber attack on a university in Colorado
Regis University - Denver, Colorado, USA
https://www.denver7.com/news/local-news/...

Cyber attack on a university library in Germany
Universitäts- und Stadtbibliothek Köln (USB) - Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
https://blog.uni-koeln.de/usb/page/2/

Cyber attack on a university in Germany
Ruhr-Universität Bochum (RUB) - Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany
https://www.it-services.ruhr-uni-bochum....
https://www.it-services.ruhr-uni-bochum....
Statistics: Cyber attacks on colleges and universities 2019

Cyber attack on a university in the Netherlands
Universiteit Maastricht (UM) - Maastricht, Netherlands
https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/nl/u...

Cyber attack on the Justus Liebig University Giessen
Justus-Liebig-Universität - Gießen, Hesse, Germany