While technology has created boundless new opportunities for learning, it has also produced ever-growing data security challenges. In years past, cyber defensive strategies were confined to internal environments.

On Monday (3/21/22), the White House released a statement by President Biden on our Nation’s Cybersecurity warning that “based on evolving intelligence” U.S. companies and organizations need to urgently harden their cybersecurity defenses against potentially imminent cyberattacks.

Cybersecurity experts have long touted that “the traditional perimeter is dead” and have advocated for a zero-trust and identity-centric approach to security. However, if your identities are the most important element of a modern cybersecurity program, it is an unfortunate, but real truth that they are also the biggest threat to your systems.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many K-12 educational institutions are using remote or hybrid learning models. This growing digital footprint has created a prime opportunity for malicious actors to take advantage of districts’ increased reliance on digital tools. 

*Disclaimer: This article originally appeared on Forbes.

In recent years, mergers and acquisitions have seen a record number of transactions and continue to draw staggering figures. According to a recent IMAA report, 2018 saw about 49,000 global M&As with a combined enterprise value of $3.8 trillion. This year is projected to have similar or greater numbers.

Ongoing innovations in pedagogy and learning strategies in the K-12 industry have spurred school districts to rapidly adopt digital tools for the classroom, while reducing their reliance on traditional print-based educational resources. To deliver their services, digital curriculum vendors require timely access to accurate and up-to-date student, teacher, and class roster data.

Recently, we discussed the importance of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) as a tool school districts should leverage to help prevent data breaches and protect against threat actors. MFA is a sure step towards securing access to district systems and applications; however, with at-home instruction being K-12 education’s new normal, schools need to take an even more comprehensive approach to securing their resources. 

While there is no user group that is safe from data breaches, K-12 is particularly vulnerable right now. In North Dakota alone, the state network used by K-12 schools, state universities, and other public agencies experience 5.7 known cyberattacks every month. Data breaches are not uncommon, and districts are limited in the measures they can take due to budget constraints.

It’s no secret there are high expectations surrounding the healthcare industry, especially today with the state of emergency and fear bound to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare organizations must take even higher measures to protect patient and staff safety, deliver a high quality of care in an efficient manner, and keep patient records and information secure with adherence to compliance requirements.

Conferences, music festivals, sporting events, parades— every event imaginable from coast to coast is either already cancelled, postponed, or has attendees at the edge of their seats waiting for the latest update. Hospitals and healthcare systems are sending thousands of non-essential employees home to work remotely. Universities and K-12 school districts are also shutting down all over the world, affecting 300 million students globally.