Schools risk exposing student data when conducting online lessons. (Photo: Shutterstock) Schools risk exposing student data when conducting online lessons. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Any school reopening plan that includes digital learning comes with the risk of exposing student data. In New Palestine, Indiana, a cyberattack on the local school district's internet network in early August prevented online learning from taking place for two days during the first week of school. Officials were still investigating the source of the attack, which affected more than 4,000 students. Cyber and privacy insurance can help K-12 schools and colleges strengthen their cyber protocols and pay for the cost of a cyberattack.

"Technology is great, but there are a lot of challenges," said Matthew Lefchik, director, cyber risk management at Node International, including the Personally Identifiable Information (PII) an online learning platform may utilize such as a student's name, date of birth, address and grade level. "You are giving out more information about your family, and it becomes a cookie trail. You may think that because it is through a private school or public school, it cannot be compromised, but unfortunately, it can."

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