Is the #education sector doing enough about #CyberSecurityin the new world of #AI?
Our co-founder Dan Sodergren weighs in with his thoughts after being asked to keynote for Stone Cybersecurity Summit 2024.
It was a real privilege to be invited as the keynote speakerfor the first Stone Cybersecurity Summit 2024 at their headquarters in Stone.
You might be wondering why I, Dan Sodergren, someone who normally talks on AI and the future of work and who co-founded the AI Teacher Course, would be talking about cybersecurity.
The truth is, cybersecurity is becoming a critical issue for everyone, regardless of their industry. Whether you're working in AI or teaching AI in schools,the challenges are already here, and we can't afford to ignore them.
As I addressed the room, both in-person and virtually, it was clear that the timing of this event couldn’t have been more appropriate. Cybersecurity is no longer just something for the IT department to worry about. It's a business priority.
But why should educators and school leaders care?
- Over 80% of universities and colleges have experienced cyberattacks in the past
year. In fact, just a day after the summit, a major attack hit an academy. - 1.5 million businesses across the UK were affected by cybercrime in the las 12 months.
- Public sector cyber attacks have jumped by 40% in the past year.
I opened my keynote with a clear message: AI isn’t goinganywhere. It’s both a powerful asset and a significant risk. While AI tools like MidJourney and Microsoft Defender have brought unbelievable efficiencies, they’ve also given cybercriminals new, more effective ways to strike.
For example, AI has boosted productivity in some sectors byas much as 400%. That’s why I also launched the AI Marketing Course,which helps organisations harness these gains.
However, that same AI can be used by hackers to carry outattacks with frightening precision. This means every organisation—whether a school, a business, or a public institution—has to be ready. During my talk, I highlighted the growing threats from ransomware, deep fakes, and the next
generation of phishing attacks.
The threats are growing.
Ransomware incidents have surged by 73%, and small organisations are increasingly vulnerable. These aren’t just attacks on large corporations like Royal Mail or the City of Dallas. Small businesses and public institutions are now prime targets. And it’s not just the work of a few tech-savvy individuals; hackers are using deepfake technology to clone voices and images, turning fraud into a scalable business.
The public sector, in particular, faces a tough reality. One of the more shocking statistics I shared was that:
“Only 27% of public sector organisations are using AI tocounter these threats”.
Shouldn't that number be significantly higher? The gap is alarming, especially as many organisations are overlooking critical areas like employee training.
While 41% of businesses acknowledge that training should be updated monthly to keep up with evolving threats, only 29% are doing it. Given how quickly AI-generated deep fakes are spreading, even a monthly update might not be enough.
We also touched on the issue of AI policies—or, more often than not, the absence of them. I stressed the importance for organisations to put an AI policy in place. If your school or business doesn’t have one yet, now is the time. AI can be a powerful defence mechanism, but only if it’s managed
correctly. Without clear policies, the same tools that could protect you might become vulnerabilities.
Of course, the day wasn’t all about threats. Yes, AI will continue to develop. Yes, cyber criminals will get smarter. But so will we. In the end, cybersecurity isn't just about technology—it’s about people. The real question we need to ask ourselves isn’t "What will AI do next?" but "What are we doing to stay ahead?"
What are we doing to stay ahead?
One of the highlights of the event was a "speed dating" session where attendees could meet directly with software security vendors. It gave everyone a chance to discuss their specific needs and
challenges, gaining tailored advice from experts.
This ties in perfectly with Stone’s newpublication, The Collection 2024, which offers more insights into important topics like cybersecurity. And, of course, I encouraged everyone
to check out the AITeacher Course, our non-profit initiative that helps educators get to grips with AI. Which is also mentioned in the publication.
As the day drew to a close, I left the audience with one final takeaway: don’t wait for someone else to protect your organisation. Be proactive. Get your training in place, draft those AI policies, invest in your team, and partner with experts who can help you strengthen your defences.
Cybersecurity isn’t something we can think about tomorrow.The threats are here today. Whether it's your school, your business, or your community, the actions you take now could save you from a major crisis in the future. It's up to us to shape a secure, innovative, and sustainable future.
Stay informed, stay protected, and let’s keep the conversation going.
Dan Sodergrenis the co-founder of AI TeacherCourse with Janine Atkin.
References for your further reading…