Education Under Siege: Defending Against AI-Powered Social Engineering

Title: Education Under Siege: Defending Against AI-Powered Social Engineering

Date: Thursday, April 24, 2025

Time: 2:00pm ET

Duration: 1 hour

Educational institutions face a cybersecurity crisis: 4,300+ phishing attacks in 30 days, with 79% bypassing email protections. AI has transformed these threats through perfect impersonation, hyper-personalized phishing, and massive attack automation—all targeting your institution's vulnerable infrastructure.

Join us as cybersecurity experts from KnowBe4 and our special guest speakers, Amir Lawrence, Cybersecurity Analyst and Emma Braaten, Director of Digital Learning from The Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University, as they discuss emerging threats and offer insights into how the education community is approaching AI-powered social engineering threats.

What You'll Learn:

Latest phishing techniques targeting academia, including QR code deception, account compromise, and more
How AI’s rapid development is currently affecting the education sector, and what is being done to address it
How various user groups, from superintendents to students, are being targeted and exploited by bad actors
How increasingly convincing attacks exploit human risk factors in educational environments
Perspectives on building cyber-resilient educational communities: Insights from K-12 technology leadership and cybersecurity implementation

The cybersecurity arms race in education has entered a new era with AI. Register now to ensure your institution isn't left defenseless against these rapidly evolving, artificially intelligent threats.

Emma Braaten
Director of Digital Learning
Friday Institute for Educational Innovation

Emma Braaten is the Director of Digital Learning at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation. In this role, Emma leverages her 24 years of experience as a former Chief Technology Officer in Chatham County Schools (NC), Digital Learning Specialist and Digital Learning Coach with NCDPI, School Librarian, and Classroom Teacher to inform research and application in the K-12 setting and beyond. She works collaboratively with educators and stakeholders to support the effective implementation of instructional practices, content standards, and technology to make learning more accessible for all students. The work of Digital Learning is primarily focused on the FI’s impact area around the use of existing and emerging technologies, especially in the age of AI, to amplify teaching and learning in North Carolina and beyond.

Amir Lawrence
Cybersecurity Analyst
Friday Institute for Educational Innovation

Amir Lawrence is a Cybersecurity Analyst at the Friday Institute's Technology Infrastructure Lab and primarily works to support the NCDPI K-12 Cybersecurity Program. As the project lead for the program's KnowBe4 effort, he collaborates with the team to fortify cybersecurity in K-12 school districts. Amir's pivotal role extends beyond technical duties, where he has also improved communication, planning, and strategy within the Cybersecurity Program. With a background in Psychology and Women's Gender Studies, he uniquely combines technical expertise with a passion for fostering secure and diverse communities. Amir's dedication to bridging the gap between humanities and cybersecurity reflects a holistic approach to cyber hygiene. In addition to his role as a Cybersecurity Analyst, Amir's strategic insights contribute to the fortification of the state's cybersecurity posture and culture.

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