As more components of our daily lives move online, schools and institutions are more reliant upon data, technology and online tools and resources to support students, patrons and citizens. As this happens, there is a greater need to protect personal information we must collect, as well as understand what data is being collected and how it is being used by our various systems.
Our cybersecurity experts stay up-to-date on resources that will help when setting up new systems and tools that ensures you know best practices and are meeting state and national requirements to keep data protected.
If you are looking for information about what data is collected by the State of Missouri, the DESE website is a great resource. Here you will find state regulations, procedures used to ensure the confidentiality of student’s records, forms to use when requesting special reports, and security standards.
The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) is another great resource to explore. They offer a library of resources on their website with K-12 CVAT Assessment Tools, district application inventory worksheets, tools to help with creating use policies, and more. In addition, you can find the CoSN Student Data Privacy Toolkit that explains student data privacy fundamentals that ensure compliance, preventing harm, and building trust.
The Student Privacy Compass website is a tool for finding information, news, and opinions on maintaining student data privacy. They offer a great student privacy communications toolkit that outlines how to develop a communications strategy and how to talk to different parties about student privacy. In addition, if you are looking for privacy information about student monitoring, the Student Privacy Compass offers an infographic clarifying why schools may choose to adopt monitoring, what student information and activities the service can access, how a provider may process and use student information, and what action may be taken as a result of the monitoring.
The Federal Trade Commission issued final regulations to amend the Standards to the Safeguard Rule; the new standards will take effect on June 9, 2023. Learn more about the requirements on the Federal Student Aid website.
Check out FTC Safeguards Rule: What Your Business Needs to Know for an excellent plain-language explanation of the Safeguards Rule.