Federal investigators have been pursuing teenage hacking collectives—including groups tied to Scattered Spider, Lapsus$ and related actors—that prosecutors say have infiltrated companies worth roughly $1 trillion in market value since 2022. The groups recruit youth via social channels, train inexperienced members, and execute credential theft, phishing and extortion campaigns. Higher‑education IT and student‑conduct offices face two linked risks: students being recruited into criminal activity and campuses being used as operational safe havens for illicit activity. Universities should expand cybersecurity education, tighten access controls, and coordinate with law enforcement when students are implicated. Research labs and career services must also help channel skilled students toward legitimate cyber work—formal partnerships with CERTs, internship pipelines, and accredited cyber competitions can redirect talent and reduce legal exposure.