* [Blog](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog)
* [Palo Alto Networks](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/corporate/)
* [Education](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/education/)
* Online Learning: Security...

# Online Learning: Security and Connectivity for Teachers and Students

[](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2020%2F06%2Fnetwork-online-learning%2F)  
[](https://twitter.com/share?text=Online+Learning%3A+Security+and+Connectivity+for+Teachers+and+Students&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2020%2F06%2Fnetwork-online-learning%2F)  
[](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2F2020%2F06%2Fnetwork-online-learning%2F&title=Online+Learning%3A+Security+and+Connectivity+for+Teachers+and+Students&summary=&source=)  
[](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2020/06/network-online-learning/&ts=markdown)  
\[\](mailto:?subject=Online Learning: Security and Connectivity for Teachers and Students)  
Link copied  
By [Shannon Bonfiglio](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/shannon-bonfiglio/?ts=markdown "Posts by Shannon Bonfiglio")  
Jun 15, 2020  
5 minutes  
[Education](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/education/?ts=markdown)  
[Secure the Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-cloud/?ts=markdown)  
[Secure the Enterprise](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-enterprise/?ts=markdown)  
[education](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/education/?ts=markdown)  
[K-12](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/k-12/?ts=markdown)  
[remote access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/remote-access/?ts=markdown)  
[SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/sase/?ts=markdown)  
[secure remote workforce](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/secure-remote-workforce/?ts=markdown)

Educators began 2020 focused on familiar challenges: putting together effective lessons, motivating students and preparing for tests. Students geared up for common milestones like the end of the school year and the approach of summer. Few could have imagined that now almost a year later, the pandemic is still affecting students and teachers worldwide, as many institutions continue to operate online or have implemented a hybrid approach of online and in-person learning. As educators continue to adapt to teaching online, institutions face complex questions about the future of their students' education.

## **Challenges of Online Learning**

At the beginning of April 2020, UNESCO estimated that almost [1.6 billion K-12 students were affected due to 194 country-wide school closures](https://en.unesco.org/covid19/educationresponse). In-classroom teaching needed to rapidly shift to online learning, with limited or no guidelines in place. With the start of 2021, most schools across the globe have fully or partially opened. However, 12 countries, including the United States, institutions still remain closed or partially closed, affecting 1.4 million students. Teachers and students are still facing similar challenges as they continue to adjust to online learning:

* **Access to devices** -- The shift to online learning opens a divide between students who have access to a computer or device and those who do not. Many governments are attempting to bridge that gap by providing equipment to students. For example, the [UK Education Secretary announced](https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-major-package-to-support-online-learning) a plan to provide laptops, tablets and routers for disadvantaged students. Many [states](https://www.mercurynews.com/california-to-give-70000-devices-to-students-expand-internet-access-for-distance-learning)and [cities](https://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2020/04/23/23m-to-provide-laptops-for-detroit_ap.html)in the United States are also providing funding and equipment for underprivileged households. Additionally, the March 2020 CARES Act provided states $13.5 billion in K-12 formula grants to assist schools in the continuation of learning through online resources. In December 2020, the [CARES Act was extended](https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20201221/BILLS-116HR133SA-RCP-116-68.pdf) to include $54.3 billion for K-12 schools, and $22.7 billion for higher education.
* **Bandwidth and Connectivity** -- The use of video conferencing platforms has increased significantly as institutions implement online learning. But using these applications successfully requires a secure connection and stable bandwidth from both a teacher and student's home. With everyone functioning outside the school's network, schools lack the visibility and control to ensure connectivity and bandwidth create a seamless user experience.
* **Security** -- Reports of "meeting bombing" during online classes have escalated, requiring teachers and app providers to rapidly adjust to provide a more secure learning environment. Application vendors provide some security controls, but they need to be used according to [best practices for video conferencing security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2020/04/network-video-conferencing-security/). In some cases, additional security tools may be needed. Schools need to ensure that online learning remains a safe place for students.

## **Enable Online Learning While Staying Secure**

As schools continue to adjust to the evolving online learning landscape, they can take proactive steps towards providing a secure and seamless user experience by partnering with the right security vendors. Cloud-based solutions offer schools the flexibility to rapidly deploy remote learning environments while keeping teachers and students safe.

Educational institutions shouldn't have to worry about protecting teachers and students as they adapt to virtual learning. Palo Alto Networks solutions offer schools and other businesses peace of mind so they can focus on what is important. Meanwhile, Palo Alto Networks works in the background to protect users, apps and data no matter where they are located. Establishing a remote workforce quickly is no easy task, but Palo Alto Networks can provide [rapid deployment and scale](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2020/04/network-secure-access/) with over 100 locations globally.

* [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/access), part of our [secure access service edge (SASE)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-sase) solution, securely connects remote or mobile users to your corporate networks through the cloud. By utilizing the cloud, organizations can quickly scale to meet user demand and availability.
* [GlobalProtect](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/globalprotect) provides additional protection on users' mobile devices. As an application, GlobalProtect can help organizations ensure users are connecting to the best gateway available to their location, and that all their traffic is encrypted via IPsec/SSL VPN tunnels as it passes through Prisma Access.

Together, Prisma Access and GlobalProtect provide a complete solution to protect devices and users, while ensuring bandwidth and user experience aren't sacrificed. Online learning is in demand now, but educational institutions can look for these benefits no matter what the learning landscape becomes in the future.

* **Enhanced user experience** -- Prisma Access automatically determines which cloud connection is best per the user's location, with over 100 locations to choose from. This provides faster access to the internet and improved Quality of Service to reduce latency.
* **Always-on security** -- The GlobalProtect app works quietly in the background on users' devices to provide consistent encrypted security to corporate networks. Prisma Access provides more protection than other MPLS alternatives.
* **Rapid deployment** -- Whether you are deploying [on-premises](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall), using [VM-Series](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/vm-series) or in the cloud, Palo Alto Networks allows you to rapidly scale your remote network.

Learn more about Palo Alto Networks [remote workforce offerings](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/secure-remote-workforces) and see how we can help your educational institution focus on learning, while we take care of the security.

*Updated Jan. 7, 2021*

*** ** * ** ***

## Related Blogs

### [Secure the Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-cloud/?ts=markdown), [Secure the Enterprise](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-enterprise/?ts=markdown), [Use-Cases](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/sase/category/use-cases/?ts=markdown)

[#### Working from Home During COVID-19: Secure Access for Remote Workers](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2020/04/network-secure-access/)

### [Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cybersecurity-2/?ts=markdown), [Education](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/education/?ts=markdown), [Points of View](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/points-of-view/?ts=markdown), [Use-Cases](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/sase/category/use-cases/?ts=markdown)

[#### Why Hackers Like Your Remote Access and What You Can Do About It](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2021/06/why-hackers-like-your-remote-access/)

### [Secure the Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-cloud/?ts=markdown), [Secure the Enterprise](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-enterprise/?ts=markdown)

[#### Why Most Zero Trust Network Access Solutions Are Too Trusting](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2020/07/zero-trust-network-access-solutions/)

### [Secure the Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-cloud/?ts=markdown), [Secure the Enterprise](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-enterprise/?ts=markdown)

[#### How Palo Alto Networks and Okta Are Helping Enable Secure Remote Work](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2020/06/network-okta/)

### [Secure the Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-cloud/?ts=markdown), [Secure the Enterprise](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-enterprise/?ts=markdown)

[#### Power the New Normal with Prisma Access: Delivering Next-Gen Cybersecurity](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2020/05/network-remote-work/)

### [News \& Events](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/sase/category/news-events/?ts=markdown), [Secure the Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-cloud/?ts=markdown), [Secure the Enterprise](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/secure-the-enterprise/?ts=markdown)

[#### The Industry's Most Comprehensive SASE Just Got Better with CloudGenix](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2020/04/network-cloudgenix/)

### Subscribe to the Blog!

Sign up to receive must-read articles, Playbooks of the Week, new feature announcements, and more.
![spinner](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/themes/panwblog2023/dist/images/ajax-loader.gif) Sign up  
Please enter a valid email.  
By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown). Please look for a confirmation email from us. If you don't receive it in the next 10 minutes, please check your spam folder.  
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply.  
{#footer} {#footer}

## Products and Services

* [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown)

* [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security/secure-ai-by-design?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown)

* [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown)

* [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown)

* [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown)

* [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown)

* [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown)

* [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown)

* [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown)

* [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown)

* [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown)

* [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown)

* [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown)

* [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown)

* [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown)

* [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown)

* [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown)

* [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown)

* [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown)

* [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown)

* [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown)

* [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown)

* [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown)

* [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown)

* [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown)

* [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown)

## Company

* [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown)
* [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/)
* [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown)
* [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown)
* [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown)
* [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown)
* [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown)

## Popular Links

* [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown)
* [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown)
* [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown)
* [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown)
* [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center)
* [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown)
* [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown)
* [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown)
* [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown)
* [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/)
* [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd)
  ![PAN logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg)
* [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown)
* [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown)
* [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown)
* [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown)

Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved

* [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks)
* [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown)
* [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/)
* [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks)
* [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks)
* EN  
  Select your language