In light of recent cyberattacks, educational institutions are increasingly concerned about the security of student data. According to Microsoft Security Intelligence, education is one of the sectors most affected by malware attacks, accounting for over 6.2 million incidents, or 64% of all reported cases. A survey by SecurityScorecard also found that the education sector is at the highest risk for cybersecurity breaches.
It is crucial for educational institutions to prioritize the use of reliable and sophisticated student data management systems and take all necessary measures to strengthen their security. By investing in advanced systems, institutions can protect important and confidential data, potentially saving them significant costs. In fact, according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report 2021, the average data breach cost in the education industry is $4.77 million per incident.
At Softloom, we offer robust and advanced student data management systems for all types of educational institutions. In this blog post, we provide seven tips to help educational institutions enhance the security and privacy of their student data.
HOW TO ENHANCE STUDENT DATA SECURITY?
Educational institutions can improve the security of their student data in numerous ways. Some of these ways include:
1. USE A RELIABLE STUDENT DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
In the past, educational institutions used to keep their student information in registers or Excel sheets, which posed a risk to the privacy and security of the data. However, with the introduction of Academic management software, data storage has become more efficient and secure. Nonetheless, the market is flooded with companies claiming to provide the best software, but only a few can deliver efficient and safe solutions. To ensure student information safety, educational institutions should invest in a reliable student data management system from a trustworthy and experienced service provider. Finding such a provider is crucial to winning half the battle.
2. USE ROBUST AND SECURE PASSWORDS
Once an educational institution has acquired a dependable student management system, it is crucial to prioritize data security by utilizing robust and secure passwords. The initial step involves creating a password that comprises of a combination of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Afterwards, share the new password with authorized staff members and encourage them to change it frequently. For added security, consider using encryption and implementing multiple levels of authentication in the computer systems.
3. BE PARTICULAR ABOUT PROVIDING THE ACCESS
It is crucial to ensure data security by setting a strong password and defining who can and cannot access the system. To achieve this, it is recommended to carefully select reliable staff who can handle the data and manage the system after installation. The objective is to reduce the number of users with access to valuable student data and maintain privacy. It is important to determine the amount of access each user requires to carry out their assigned duties and limit their access once a certain level is reached.
4.TRAIN THE STAFF MEMBERS
It’s important to have trained and capable staff handling the student management system to manage it effectively. Choose a group of employees to manage the system, provide passwords, and train them on how to use it efficiently and properly, store and access data. Ensure they know the best practices for using the system and troubleshooting any issues. Also, remind them to lock their computer systems whenever they leave workstations or take a break.
5.REGULARLY MONITOR USER ACTIVITY ON THE STUDENT DATA MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
Once staff members have received training, monitoring their activity on the student data management system is important. Some newly-trained staff may need help to recognize suspicious activity or cyberattacks. Regular monitoring is necessary to ensure data security and efficient operations. You don’t need an array of advanced tracking or monitoring devices to keep an eye on activity. Administrators can use advanced data management systems to monitor user activity.
6. REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF LESS RELEVANT DATA
Many educational institutions possess student and parent data that is overly personal and not particularly relevant to their education. A recent report revealed that a highly-regarded Indian secondary education board collected irrelevant data about parents, such as their monthly income, birth year, height, and weight. By reducing the amount of sensitive and less pertinent data, institutions can save valuable time and space while also minimizing the risk of a major data breach.
7.CREATE A COMBAT PLAN FOR SECURITY BREACHES
The education sector has experienced a significant rise in cyberattacks, making it impossible for any institution to claim complete immunity. However, every institution can proactively plan and prepare for any potential data breach. Adequate preparation, alongside implementing a robust system, can enable institutes to respond quickly and contain the breach.
IN SUMMARY
Educational institutions are experiencing a higher rate of malware attacks than other sectors. Implementing the appropriate technology, like student data management systems, is crucial to safeguard sensitive student data and save significant amounts of money. If you’re interested in implementing college management system in your institute, please get in touch with us to learn about our solutions and how we can assist you in enhancing your security system.
