Since 2008, higher education institutions have experienced a staggering 158 data breaches resulting in over 2.3 million reported records compromised. In 2009 alone there were 57 reported data breaches, and year to date through July of 2010, there have already been 32 breaches. The impact of these breaches can be felt by multiple parties the university, administrative/faculty, the student body, alumni, the parents and the IT department. The culture of higher ed is to foster an open academic environment, which is naturally at odds with the need to protect sensitive information.
Source: https://threatpost.com/preventing-data-breaches-lessons-higher-education-092110/74497/