This article was originally published in Solutions Review on 10.5.23 by Charlie Sander, CEO at ManagedMethods.
Complying with Cybersecurity Regulations for School Districts
The last decade has witnessed a profound transformation driven by the adoption of technology and the COVID-19 pandemic, which ushered in an era of distance learning and digital education platforms. However, alongside these advancements came an alarming surge in cyber-attacks targeting educational institutions. We are now in a place where an average of about 2300 attacks against educational organizations are being reported weekly.
Schools across the United States are grappling with a variety of cyber threats, leading to a legislative crackdown to safeguard learning continuity while protecting sensitive data. Here, we’ll take a closer look at data security regulations that schools need to adhere to and guide you through how to get started with compliance.
Firstly, schools need to understand the regulation landscape by knowing what laws are in place and how to comply with them. Obeying the following cybersecurity regulations is vital not only for legal adherence but also for safeguarding sensitive student data and ensuring uninterrupted learning.
- FERPA: The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act safeguards the privacy of student records, granting parents and eligible students access to their educational records while controlling the disclosure of personal information.
- PPRA: The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment protects student privacy during specialized surveys, requiring parental consent for certain data collection activities.
- COPPA: The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act imposes restrictions on the collection of personal data from children under 13.
- CIPA: The Children’s Internet Protection Act requires K-12 schools to implement internet safety policies, including content filtering, to protect students from inappropriate online material.
State Laws: Any state-specific regulations will also come into play for a particular school, which often provide additional protections for student data.
Compliance with these regulations is vital to maintaining the integrity of a school’s digital environment, protecting sensitive information, and ensuring a secure learning environment for students…
