How to Improve Data Privacy at your School
School districts across the country are asking themselves: “How can we improve our data privacy?” With an increase of new data privacy laws, educational technology programs and cybersecurity threats, it can be difficult to stay compliant with security best practices to ensure the privacy of your students and staff.
Are you concerned your school may need help? Here are some ways you can improve your school’s data privacy:
Start with an Assessment
You could be at risk and not even know it. A Security Assessment can help prevent privacy and cybersecurity issues. Assessments can detect vulnerabilities and help you make informed decisions about what you need to do to fix any security problems you’re facing. An assessment will give you the data you need to show administrators and IT leaders in your district what you’re facing, and how to fix it. If a Security Risk Assessment sound like something your district may benefit from, contact a representative from SpaceBound Solutions for more information.
Inform your Faculty and Staff of the Laws
According to Amelia Vance, director of education privacy at the Future of Privacy Forum, there have been more than 110 new laws passed across the country that address the issues of student privacy since 2013.
Although it may be a daunting task, in the long run educating your staff on these laws will help ensure proper protocol is being followed in regards to addressing your security concerns.
Develop a Plan
Creating a Data Privacy Plan is a great way to make sure your school is always assessing its data privacy needs. Having a plan allows you to constantly ensure you’re up to date.
The first step would be to make sure you understand how your school collects, stores and shares its data. Questions to ask include:
What data is collected?
Where is it collected?
How is it collected?
Who has access to the data?
Should those who have access, actually have access?
How long is the data stored?
How is the data destroyed?
It is also very important to make sure that the people who do have access to this plan can be properly authenticated when trying to access the data.
Another important aspect to consider at this stage is to address data that is collected through all devices being used in your facility. Practices such as limiting bandwidth, and properly patching all devices helps to ensure your network’s security.
Educate Teachers and Students to be Responsible Data Guardians
It is extremely important that teachers and students know the importance of safeguarding data. Everything from downloading software, sharing data, and how to keep data safe should be taught so that security is not compromised. By making sure everyone is aware of how to safeguard against possible threats, it could reduce the chances of a data breach happening to you.
Story via EdTech Magazine
