Latest news with #GoogleWorkspace
TECHx
2 days ago
- Business
- TECHx
Why Cybersecurity is Now Critical for Schools
Home » Expert opinion » Why Cybersecurity is Now Critical for Schools Emad Fahmy, Systems Engineering Director at NETSCOUT, examines the cybersecurity risks of EdTech including outages, breaches and AI gaps threatening digital learning. EdTech is transforming education through AI tutors, VR classrooms, and digital tools, but as its use grows, so do the risks. Data breaches, outages, and system failures can quickly disrupt learning. The challenge today isn't adopting new technology: it's protecting it. EdTech's growing role and risks EdTech blends educational theory with software innovation to enhance teaching via immersive digital experiences, online lectures, collaborative tools such as Google Workspace, and accessibility solutions for diverse learning needs. Market research from Arizton projects the global EdTech market will reach USD 738 billion by 2029. New cloud-based learning management systems (LMSs) emerge almost yearly to support coursework, while student information systems (SISs) continue to evolve. But, as with any technology, network and application performance issues can disrupt learning and strain IT teams. A quick look at StatusGator shows several major EdTech outages in January 2025 alone, from login failures to full system crashes cutting off schools from critical platforms. In severe cases, outages can block emergency alerts, as seen during the CrowdStrike update that disrupted IT systems in U.S. schools. EdTech adoption is accelerating worldwide, driven by both government strategies and private innovation. In the UAE, the Ministry of Education partnered with Google in 2024 to launch a national AI literacy programme. The Digital School and Alef Education also introduced an AI tutoring pilot that personalises learning through machine learning. The PowerSchool breach is a wake-up call for digital learning Federal laws such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), set privacy standards but do not require breach notifications; instead, state laws and contracts govern whether schools or EdTech providers must disclose breaches or outages. In December 2024, PowerSchool, a widely used SIS platform across North America, experienced a major data breach. Attackers reportedly exploited a compromised credential to access sensitive student and staff records via the company's support portal. The breach potentially affected tens of millions of individuals, including names, addresses, academic performance, medical history, and other personal identifiers. Without real-time visibility into threats or consistent reporting standards, such incidents often go undetected until substantial damage has already occurred. The underlying issues of centralised platforms, inadequate credential security, and lack of real-time alerting are not unique to one region. In the Gulf, where cloud-based tools are being integrated rapidly into national education systems, these risks are prompting pre-emptive action. Saudi Arabia's AI usage guidelines, for example, include clear restrictions on access to generative AI tools for students under 13 and require parental consent for use by those under 18, underscoring the role of policy in mitigating unintended exposure and misuse. Why schools are a top target for cyberattacks Schools have become a preferred target for cybercriminals, largely because their infrastructure often lags behind that of other public or private institutions. Phishing, ransomware, and credential theft remain prevalent, with schools offering rich repositories of personal data that can be exploited for years. The Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) continues to report increased frequency of cyberattacks targeting educational institutions. Unlike adults, students rarely monitor their credit reports, making them particularly susceptible to long-term identity fraud. At the same time, overstretched IT departments may lack the capacity to implement comprehensive security controls, particularly in schools without a dedicated chief information security officer (CISO). Globally, the risk landscape is growing alongside investment. In the Middle East and Africa, schools are deploying everything from smart classrooms to immersive VR labs, such as those now being piloted in UAE public schools. But the speed of implementation is not always matched by readiness. Where AI is concerned, the development of policy frameworks as seen in Saudi Arabia's three-part AI guidebook can provide foundational safeguards, but ongoing implementation, oversight, and adaptation remain critical. Technology migrations, misconfigurations, inconsistent policy enforcement, and third-party dependencies remain some of the most common causes of downtime and data exposure. Without integrated visibility across networks and applications, many schools remain reactive rather than proactive in the face of digital risk. By Emad Fahmy, Systems Engineering Director at NETSCOUT
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
42Gears Launches SureIdP -- Zero Trust Identity and Access Management Solution for Secure, Seamless Enterprise Access
BENGALURU, India, June 17, 2025 /CNW/ -- 42Gears has launched SureIdP, a Zero Trust Identity and Access Management Solution that combines identity verification with device compliance. It enhances enterprise security while ensuring seamless, cross-platform user access. What is Zero Trust Identity and Access Management? A Zero Trust IAM solution verifies digital identities—usernames, passwords, biometrics, and device posture—before granting access. Acting as a central hub, it enables secure Single Sign-On (SSO). For example, logging into enterprise apps via Google Workspace credentials involves Google as the Identity Provider, but access is granted only after evaluating user location or behavior—core to Zero Trust security. Why Modern Businesses Need IAMs With rising digital threats, secure access control is essential. These stats show why SureIdP is crucial: Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) reduces identity-based attacks by 99.9% 76% of breaches result from credential misuse or phishing 71% increase in credential-based cyberattacks year-over-year Insider threats cost firms an average of $16.2 million annually Zero Trust frameworks reduce risk by up to 50% Meet SureIdP Built on Zero Trust Access principles, SureIdP enforces both user and device verification before granting access. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and offers centralized control via a single dashboard. Key Features Device Authentication: Access is limited to compliant devices based on location, network, and policy OS Login & Access Control: Secure desktop login for Windows, macOS, and Linux Single Sign-On (SSO): One login for multiple applications User Lifecycle Management: Easy onboarding/offboarding with group and device-user management Zero Trust Framework: Enforces least-privilege access with continuous validation External Federation: Integrates with Google Workspace, Microsoft Entra, Okta, and SAML 2.0 IdPs Core Benefits Continuous Identity Verification to stop credential misuse Device-Aware Access blocks non-compliant endpoints Real-Time Contextual Controls for behavior-based risk assessment Unified Security Management with fewer third-party tools Improved User Experience through simplified login and control Compliance with GDPR, HIPAA, and more Cost Efficiency by reducing licensing and IT load Industry Applications Finance: Protects digital banking and ensures audit readiness Retail: Secures POS and third-party access Education: Safeguards shared devices and remote learning Healthcare: Supports HIPAA and secures medical data Government: Enables compliant data access and collaboration "SureIdP is a game-changer for enterprises looking to unify identity and device security," said Prakash Gupta, Co-Founder and CTO of 42Gears. "It empowers IT teams to implement strong security policies without affecting user productivity." About 42Gears 42Gears is a leader in enterprise IT management, offering cutting-edge solutions that aim to transform the digital workplace. Delivered from the cloud and on-premise, 42Gears products support all major mobile and desktop operating systems, enabling IT and DevOps teams to improve frontline workforce productivity and the efficiency of software development teams. 42Gears products are used by over 23,000 customers across various industries in more than 170 countries, and are available for purchase through a global partner network.
Korea Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
42Gears Launches SureIdP -- Zero Trust Identity and Access Management Solution for Secure, Seamless Enterprise Access
BENGALURU, India, June 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 42Gears has launched SureIdP, a Zero Trust Identity and Access Management Solution that combines identity verification with device compliance. It enhances enterprise security while ensuring seamless, cross-platform user access. What is Zero Trust Identity and Access Management? A Zero Trust IAM solution verifies digital identities—usernames, passwords, biometrics, and device posture—before granting access. Acting as a central hub, it enables secure Single Sign-On (SSO). For example, logging into enterprise apps via Google Workspace credentials involves Google as the Identity Provider, but access is granted only after evaluating user location or behavior—core to Zero Trust security. Why Modern Businesses Need IAMs With rising digital threats, secure access control is essential. These stats show why SureIdP is crucial: Meet SureIdP Built on Zero Trust Access principles, SureIdP enforces both user and device verification before granting access. It supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, and offers centralized control via a single dashboard. Key Features Core Benefits Industry Applications "SureIdP is a game-changer for enterprises looking to unify identity and device security," said Prakash Gupta, Co-Founder and CTO of 42Gears. "It empowers IT teams to implement strong security policies without affecting user productivity." About 42Gears 42Gears is a leader in enterprise IT management, offering cutting-edge solutions that aim to transform the digital workplace. Delivered from the cloud and on-premise, 42Gears products support all major mobile and desktop operating systems, enabling IT and DevOps teams to improve frontline workforce productivity and the efficiency of software development teams. 42Gears products are used by over 23,000 customers across various industries in more than 170 countries, and are available for purchase through a global partner network.
Android Authority
7 days ago
- Android Authority
I found a simple toggle to get rid of ads in my Gmail inbox, and I can't recommend it enough
Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority I hate nothing more than advertising online that blends into the rest of the content. That's especially true when it shows up in places where I least expect it, like my email inbox. In the Gmail app, the biggest offender is the 'Sponsored' emails pictured above. These ads often show up like a regular message and look almost the same as any other email — sender, subject line, and all. Some ads are even worse and take up significant real estate to show you product images and prices. As you'd expect from a free service like Gmail, there's no way to disable ads directly unless you shell out for a Google Workspace subscription. But what if I told you that there's a workaround built into Gmail that allows you to get rid of those pesky ads once and for all? Better yet, the solution works across both, mobile apps and desktop, and doesn't require installing any third-party extensions. Let me explain. Gmail's ads only show up in one place Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority To get rid of ads within Gmail, it's worth taking a look at where you're most likely to encounter them: the Promotions tab. Google's email service uses a system called Inbox Categories to separate your email into various tabs: Primary, Promotions, Social, Updates, and sometimes Forums. These categories are enabled by default and are pitched as a way to help you deal with inbox clutter. While these categories may look convenient on paper, they hide a secret: the Promotions tab is where you will find the majority of Gmail's advertisements, if not all of them. The top of the Promotions tab typically houses at least three 'Sponsored' emails and you will find even more after scrolling through a few of your actual messages. Disabling one setting is enough to get rid of sneaky ads within Gmail. Surprisingly, turning off these Sponsored emails in Gmail is as easy as disabling Inbox Categories altogether — detailed instructions below. This setting change causes Gmail to revert to a single, unified inbox. Without the Promotions tab, you won't see any more sponsored messages slotted above your emails. As you'd expect, the biggest downside is that Gmail will no longer send your emails into discrete buckets, and everything will show up in your primary inbox. If you rely on Inbox Categories, this may not be an option for you. But since I try to maintain a zero-inbox lifestyle by reading, deleting, or snoozing emails as they arrive, the lack of categories doesn't bother me much. How to disable Inbox Categories Calvin Wankhede / Android Authority Gmail first introduced Inbox Categories in the early 2010s, and the feature is turned on by default on all accounts. To disable it within the Android app, open the Gmail app and find the app's settings at the bottom of the hamburger menu. Next, select the email address you'd like to change the setting for and navigate to the Inbox categories section. Here, you can turn off one or multiple categories. Of course, the one we care about at minimum is Promotions. On the desktop version of Gmail, the process is a bit different. Click on the gear icon at the top-right corner of the screen to open the Settings sidebar. Next, scroll down to the 'Inbox type' section, select the Default view, and click on Customize. Unselect Promotions and any other categories you wish to remove, and hit Save. Once you save this setting, simply return to your inbox and trigger a reload. You should see all of your promotional emails under your primary inbox now, except without any interspersed ads. This setting syncs across all of your devices, so you don't need to repeat it. Admittedly, this tweak isn't for everyone. If you rely on the Promotions tab to batch-delete marketing emails once a week, removing categories might shift all of that clutter into your main inbox. But if you already check all your tabs regularly or prefer full control, it's worth it. The good news is that you can always go back if you end up disliking the change.
The Verge
13-06-2025
- Business
- The Verge
Google's Gemini AI will summarize PDFs for you when you open them
Google is rolling out new Gemini AI features for Workspace users that make it easier to find information in PDFs and form responses. The Gemini-powered file summarization capabilities in Google Drive have now expanded to PDFs and Google Forms, allowing key details and insights to be condensed into a more convenient format that saves users from manually digging through the files. Gemini will proactively create summary cards when users open a PDF in their drive and present clickable actions based on its contents, such as 'draft a sample proposal' or 'list interview questions based on this resume.' Users can select any of these options to make Gemini perform the desired task in the Drive side panel. The feature is available in more than 20 languages and started rolling out to Google Workspace users on June 12th, though it may take a couple of weeks to appear. A similar Gemini Feature for Google Forms will summarize responses to short-answer or paragraph questions, referencing the form title, description, questions, and replies to highlight key themes and takeaways. The option will appear in the Responses tab when questions receive more than three responses. The feature is only launching in English 'at this time.' General availability for Workspace users will start rolling out on June 26th. There's also a new 'help me create' Gemini feature in Google Forms that automatically creates forms based on user descriptions. Workspace users can reference supporting Docs, Sheets, Slides, or PDFs in their prompts to have Gemini incorporate those details. For example, a carpentry company could import its product catalogue into the feature to generate a quote estimation form to send to customers.
