Priya Patel
TLDR:
- Cybersecurity leaders need to protect school networks with new approaches.
- Educational institutions are being targeted by cyberattacks at an increasing rate.
IT leaders in education face the challenge of protecting school district networks as cyberattacks become more frequent and sophisticated. Traditional approaches to network cybersecurity are no longer sufficient to ensure IT security. The move to cloud-based virtual learning has provided hackers with new avenues to infiltrate networks, leading to a rise in cybersecurity incidents in schools.
A survey conducted by the UK-based National Cyber Security Centre revealed that 78% of schools had experienced at least one cybersecurity incident. High-profile cases, such as the cyberattack on the Los Angeles Unified School District and the ransomware attack on Lincoln College, emphasize the urgent need for new cybersecurity strategies in education.
As IT leaders search for innovative ways to safeguard school networks, Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) strategies have emerged as a valuable solution. ZTNA operates on the principle of not trusting any single user, device, or application, assuming that threats exist both externally and internally. By leveraging ZTNA approaches, educational institutions can better protect their networks and refocus on the core mission of teaching and learning.
Overall, the article highlights the pressing need for a reevaluation of cybersecurity in education to address the evolving landscape of cyber threats and ensure the security of school networks and valuable personal information.
