MADISON, S.D.(KELO)- It isn’t a new issue, but it’s becoming more important by the day.

Data privacy and security was the focus of a Round Table discussion at Dakota State University, hosted by Senator John Thune.

The challenge of keeping data safe has been on the mind of SDSU professor Michael Adelaine for decades.

Senator Thune is calling for a united effort to protect data, which he says is made more challenging by the involvement of state actors like China that are working to gain access.

Senator Thune says there’s a fine balance to strike between privacy and creativity.

Dakota State University is training students in the world of cyber security.

University President Dr. Jose (YOH-see) Marie Griffiths says technology advancements make it challenging.

Later this week, Dakota State will break ground on a new Applied Research Lab in Sioux Falls, which will eventually employ up to 400 cyber security researchers.