Keeper Security, the provider of zero-trust and zero-knowledge Privileged Access Management (PAM) software protecting passwords and passkeys, privileged accounts, secrets and remote connections, today released a new research report named AI in Schools: Balancing Adoption with Risk. The study reveals how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping education – and the growing cybersecurity risks to students, teachers and administrators – as adoption accelerates.
Surveying more than 1,400 education leaders across primary, secondary and higher education in the United Kingdom and United States, the research finds that while AI is already integrated into classrooms and faculty work, development of policies and protections needed to manage new risks is still nascent.
This is most apparent in the statistic that 41% of schools have experienced AI-related cyber incidents, including phishing campaigns and misinformation. Furthermore, nearly 30% of schools reported instances of harmful AI content, such as deepfakes created by students, and while 86% of institutions allow students to use AI tools and 91% permit faculty use, most schools only have guidelines with no formalised policies.
A concerning 90% of education leaders expressed some level of concern about AI-related cybersecurity threats and only one in four respondents felt “very confident” in recognising AI-enabled threats like deepfakes or AI-driven phishing.
“AI is redefining the future of education, creating extraordinary opportunities for innovation and efficiency,” said Darren Guccione, CEO and Co-founder of Keeper Security. “But opportunity without security is unsustainable. Schools must adopt a zero-trust, zero-knowledge approach to ensure that sensitive information is safeguarded and that trust in digital learning environments endures.”
As part of its commitment to cybersecurity in education, Keeper launched the Flex Your Cyber® public service initiative in 2024 in partnership with KnowBe4, the National Cybersecurity Alliance, CYBER.ORG and Atlassian Williams Racing. The program offers engaging, age-appropriate resources for students, parents and educators to promote safer and more secure online practices. Learn more at FlexYourCyber.com.
For more information on Keeper’s education-focused solutions, visit the K-12 education and higher education pages.
https://www.keeper.io/hubfs/Infographics/AI-in-Schools-2025-EN.pdf
