Protecting student data is one of the most crucial responsibilities every district administrator is charged with. And protecting that data is a more complex and difficult challenge than ever before. Between students’ own mobile devices, laptops and devices provided by the district, and a network of edtech solutions that all require access to pieces of your student data, it can be a cumbersome process, too. But a strong data governance program is essential for managing risk. At GG4L, we believe that zero-trust data management is at the center of the effort to future-proof your IT infrastructure.
What Is Data Management?
Data management is the procedures used by your school to protect student data. It is a process that can help eliminate data security risks with the use of edtech. It requires transparency: you must know where the data is, how it is being stored, who has access to it, and how to restrict access. But more than just knowing where and how data is accessed, data management is a set of controls over how the data is used and how to control the access of data that prevent unauthorized use. Data management includes the policies and procedures that govern who has access and how they get it; and protocols to minimize risk, such as single sign on (SSO) solutions.
Getting Started with Data Management
The first step in improving data management is to recognize that it cannot just be an IT initiative. Everyone plays a role in improving student data security – not just on paper, but with the implementation of real solutions. If your school is trying to minimize risk and get better control over your student data, start with an analysis of your current risk. You need to identify where your most vulnerable areas are in order to determine how to strengthen your security.
Establish a Hierarchy of Data Management Stewardship
Nothing will get done if someone isn’t put in charge of making it happen, so appoint someone to be your data management steward. They cannot manage the process alone, so it is important to also select a data governance stewardship committee to provide oversight for the efforts made to future-proof your IT infrastructure with better data management policies. This group can help your district select the appropriate third-party solutions to protect you from the growing threats through role provisioning, SSO, and other preventative measures.
The Importance of Interoperability
Interoperability is the “seamless exchange of information between different systems and devices.” That can include class rosters, student performance information, digital content, and more.
The Role GG4L Plays in Data Management
School Passport is a zero-trust data exchange platform by GG4L, which offers PII Shield. It is designed to help protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) through data encryption, role-based access control, and audit logs to help ensure the secure handling of sensitive information.
For more information on how School Passport’s PII Shield from GG4L can help your district build and maintain a zero-trust data exchange, visit www.gg4l.com/learnmore.
