Cybersecurity Now a Rising Priority for the Classroom

After a slow start, cybersecurity is moving up the EdTech agenda. The shift to online learning exposed schools to online threats that they weren’t equipped to deal with, or didn’t even realise existed. For many state and local education agencies, the combination of a large attack surface and a sizeable knowledge gap created an almost insurmountable barrier to action.

However, according to a new report from Futuresource Consulting, the landscape is changing. Schools are investing in security awareness and staff training, as well as prevention and detection systems to ensure security is a core part of their future strategies.

Remote Learning is Evolving, Cybersecurity is Stepping up

“The Edtech industry is currently at an inflexion point,” says Chris Pennell, Principal Analyst, Futuresource Consulting. “Education providers and agencies have reinvented themselves around remote learning. Parents are more engaged in their children's education, and there’s a growing appetite for tools that engage and educate their children.

“In the post-pandemic education system, online learning is here to stay. Though we are likely to see a migration from hybrid learning to a blended learning model. And allowing IT teams to rapidly detect and mitigate threats is absolutely crucial. That means building a long-term cybersecurity program, and improving visibility to pinpoint gaps in security approaches.”

The Software Segments in Detail

Futuresource has examined and evaluated the critical classroom orchestration applications that ensure students are not exposed to potentially harmful content, and end-user devices are secured.

Mobile Device Management (MDM) software supports the administration of mobile devices, including the distribution of applications, data and configuration settings from a central management interface. Web filtering is used to screen incoming web pages, to determine whether some or all of the content should be hidden from the user. Safeguarding software is used to track and monitor students’ online and offline interactions and behaviour for signs of self-harm or other social-emotional issues. Single Sign-On (SSO) is an authentication process that allows a user to access multiple applications with one set of login credentials.

Combined, these five product groups achieved global revenues of more than $1.1 billion in 2020, and they’re on track to grow to nearly $1.4 billion by 2026 according to Futuresource. Year-on-year growth of 9.8% is expected in 2022, with subsequent growth slowing as schools review their needs based on the number of students and devices. However, Futuresource expects growth to return to strength at the end of the forecast period.

MDM Leads the Way

While MDM currently accounts for over half the market, Futuresource expects its dominance to  wane in the face of schools taking a broader approach to student safeguarding. Safeguarding and classroom monitoring tools are the products that will experience the most significant growth over the period, though they start from a lower base than other segments. The research firm reports that safeguarding will rise from a market value of $119 million in 2021 to $172 million by 2026, a CAGR of 9%.

The View from the Territories

“In value terms, North America is currently the largest market,” says Pennell, “though it will face challenges maintaining growth. Markets within Europe and APAC will drive expansion, yet individual countries will differ in terms of adoption speed. Take France and the UK. They tend to be more open to solutions when compared to Germany or Scandinavian countries. That said, there will be widespread vendor opportunities around broader social and well-being initiatives.”

For further information on Futuresource Consulting’s global classroom orchestration report, or to make a purchase, please contact ben.thrussell@futuresource-hq.com

About the author

Chris Pennell

Chris Pennell is a Principal Analyst for Futuresource Consulting, leading Futuresource’s research across the Connectivity and Services practice. His research focuses on emerging technologies transforming enterprises' use of AV solutions.

Chris's recent research covers areas such as the shift to IP-connected devices, the use of managed and cloud-based services, and the impact of Pro AV solutions on the Future of Work. Working with various vendors and end users has enabled Chris to explore and build knowledge of the innovative ways enterprises use AV technologies to address ongoing challenges. Outside work, Chris is happiest helping raise his young family and supporting his local Scout troop.