In the digital age, the protection of student data has become a pressing concern. According to a study from Lightspeed Systems, more than two-thirds of education IT leaders indicate that concerns around privacy and security are more important now than they have been in the past. With advancements in technology and the increasing reliance on digital platforms for education, safeguarding student data privacy has never been more critical.
Laws and Regulations Protecting Student Data Privacy
To address the growing concerns surrounding student data privacy, various laws and regulations have been enacted at both the federal and state levels. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in the United States, for example, grants parents certain rights regarding their children’s education records. It requires educational institutions to obtain consent before disclosing personally identifiable information and provides individuals with the right to access and correct their records. Similarly, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the European Union imposes strict obligations on organizations that handle personal data, including educational institutions. These laws aim to establish a legal framework that protects student data privacy and holds educational institutions accountable for their handling of sensitive information.
Risks and Threats to Student Data Privacy
Educational institutions store a vast amount of sensitive information about their students. From names and addresses to academic records and medical history, this data is a goldmine for hackers and identity thieves. The risks and threats to student data privacy are numerous and diverse. Malicious actors may attempt to gain unauthorized access to the data, either for financial gain or to exploit vulnerabilities. Data breaches are a constant threat, with cybercriminals using sophisticated techniques to infiltrate networks and steal valuable information. Moreover, there is the risk of unintentional disclosure, where well-meaning individuals inadvertently share or expose student data. These risks highlight the need for educational institutions to implement robust privacy measures to safeguard student information.
Schools Are Connecting with an Exponential Number of EdTech Platforms
The number of edtech products schools access in a typical month has tripled since four years ago to more than 2591 tools, according to a recent estimate by Learn Platform, an edtech company that helps schools improve student outcomes by efficiently building a safe, equitable, and effective edtech ecosystem based on evidence. From ensuring the confidentiality of personal information to preventing unauthorized access or data breaches, educational institutions must establish robust privacy measures.
The Problem with Traditional Rostering
With schools connecting to thousands of edtech products, traditional rostering is no longer a viable or safe solution for maintaining data integrity and data privacy. Traditional rostering services exacerbate risk by copying roster data to every edtech vendor that a school contracts with. The increased risk in liability and reputational damage from this approach interferes with the school’s ability to comply with data privacy laws and to protect student and staff personally identifiable information (PII). PII monitoring helps schools mitigate that risk.
Managing student data privacy requires a combination of technological, educational, and policy-driven strategies. Prioritizing student data privacy not only safeguards sensitive information but also fosters a culture of trust and accountability within the educational ecosystem. As a public benefit corporation dedicated to data privacy and a revolutionary new way to provide secure data integration, we are proud to sign the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency SecurebyDesign pledge.
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