It's hard to think that a major worldwide epidemic flipped our world upside down and had inconceivable implications just 18 months ago. We had to rethink learning, job, and healthcare all of a sudden. Students were quickly transferred online in education, teachers were compelled to develop new ways to give learning, and people were driven to contemplate future vocations. Now, a year and a half later, we're at another key crossroads in education as we look to the future of learning.

Expectations from students and teachers, concerns about security breaches, and uncertainty about the future have led to the understanding that technology may be used in new and innovative ways to offer education. This insight is hastening the digital transformation of education in ways we haven't seen before.

Important links:

• which of the following is an internet job search "do"?
• which of the following is an internet job search "don't"?

New learning paradigms are being supported by technology, and the possibilities appear limitless. Since our company's start on the Stanford University campus in 1984, Cisco has been at the heart of education and supporting the digital transformation of education. Today, we continue to collaborate closely with educators as they envision the future and construct bridges to it.

Rapid transition has its own set of challenges.

The digital divide between those who have gadgets, internet access, and digital literacy and those who do not is widening. To make matters worse, the epidemic has exacerbated a long-standing global mental health problem among pupils, and teachers are experiencing exhaustion. As a result of the issue, new forms of immersive, engaging learning are being developed.

Schools, regrettably, are some of the most common targets for cyber-attacks. In 2020, compared to 2019, ransomware attacks climbed by seven times, with K-12 accounting for the majority of all ransomware attacks. According to a recent FBI study, US K–12 schools were the target of 57 percent of all reported ransomware attacks in August and September 2020, up from 28 percent in January through July. The average ransom was roughly $50,000, but the biggest was over $1 million.

So, how can your educational institution prioritise investments in the future of learning and prepare for it?

Cisco can assist you in constructing the bridge that will get you to your desired destination, no matter what your objectives are.

We think that technology can be utilised to give opportunities for everybody, have a real impact, and create a future that is better and brighter than today more than ever before.

Our dedication to education extends well beyond our industry-leading products and services. Cisco's social impact grants and hallmark programmes have benefited more than 527 million individuals to date. During COVID-19 last year, we contributed 53 million dollars in cash and personal protective equipment to nonprofits and first responders.

Cisco Networking Academy has given a path to employment prospects for more than 12.6 million learners in 180 countries for the past 23 years. In addition, we recently announced our new Skills for All programme, which provides free IT education to empower everyone to seek future employment.

With a few announcements, I'm glad to reaffirm Cisco's commitment to education as we look to the future.