Discover the hidden risks lurking within school technology systems as 96% expose student data to potential threats
A recent study has found that a staggering 96% of school technology systems expose sensitive student data, leaving millions of children vulnerable to privacy breaches and potential identity theft.
This alarming statistic serves as a wake-up call for schools and parents alike, highlighting the urgent need to prioritize data protection measures and safeguard the well-being of our youth.
Oliver, the CEO of cybersecurity company CyberNut, reveals the risks associated with the exposure of student data, the types of information being compromised, and the actionable steps that schools and parents can take to safeguard the privacy and well-being of our youth.
Privacy Breaches and Identity Theft
The main risk highlighted is the potential for privacy breaches and identity theft when sensitive student data like names, addresses, birthdates, academic records, medical histories, and social security numbers are exposed.
Oliver says: ‘This personal information falling into the wrong hands can enable nefarious activities like fraud and financial exploitation.’
Inappropriate Use of Data by Vendors
There are concerns around edtech vendors potentially misusing student data in ways like serving targeted ads to minors, creating profiles for discriminatory purposes, selling or sharing data without consent, and storing data that could be used against students in the future.
Insecure Data Transfer and Storage
If student data is not properly secured during transfer (“in transit”) between systems or while stored (“at rest”), it increases the risk of data loss and privacy violations through hacking or unauthorized access.
Inaccurate Data Reporting
Incorrect reporting of student data, such as financial information, by data brokers and clearinghouses can lead to compounding issues like denial of loans, debt accumulation, and financial damages for students.
Lack of Consent and Transparency
Students often lack information about how their data is being collected, shared, and used by schools and third parties. There is a desire for the ability to consent to data sharing practices.
Oliver’s 11 Expert Tips For Mitigating The Risks
Oliver offers key steps educational institutions and parents can take to mitigate the risks associated with the exposure of student data.
- Install Software: Install firewalls, encryption protocols, and intrusion detection systems to protect school technology systems from unauthorized access.
- Authenticate: Utilize secure authentication methods such as multi-factor authentication to verify the identities of users accessing student data.
- Stay Updated: Ensure that software, operating systems, and security patches are regularly updated to address vulnerabilities and protect against potential cyber threats.
- Train: Provide comprehensive training programs to school staff and students on data security best practices, including the importance of strong passwords, safe browsing habits, and how to identify phishing attempts.
- Limit Access: Restrict access to student data to only authorized personnel who require it for their job responsibilities.
- Establish Permissions: Implement role-based access controls to ensure that users have appropriate permissions based on their roles within the educational institution.
- Encrypt Data: Encrypt sensitive student data both in transit and at rest to prevent unauthorized access even if the data is intercepted or stolen.
- Audit: Perform regular security audits and assessments of school technology systems to identify and address any vulnerabilities or weaknesses that could be exploited by cyber attackers.
- Outline Policy: Establish clear data protection policies and procedures outlining how student data should be collected, stored, accessed, and shared.
- Regulate: Enforce strict adherence to these policies and hold individuals accountable for any breaches of data security protocols.
- Inform: Keep parents informed about the measures being taken to protect student data and provide them with resources and guidance on how they can support data security efforts at home.
Ensuring the security of student data should be a top priority for those entrusted with the well-being of students.
‘By implementing robust cybersecurity measures, conducting regular audits, and educating stakeholders, schools can fortify their defenses against digital threats,’ Oliver says. ‘Simultaneously, parents must take proactive steps to monitor and educate their children, fostering a culture of digital responsibility and resilience.’
He adds: ‘Together, we can navigate the digital terrain with vigilance and integrity, safeguarding the privacy and security of our most precious asset: our children.’
About CyberNut
CyberNut is a security awareness training solution built exclusively for schools. CyberNut’s automated campaigns train your school’s faculty, staff, & students to recognize and report the phishing emails and deep fake Al scams that are targeting your school district, making CyberNut the easiest and the most painless security awareness training solution to implement and manage for school IT departments. Oliver Page is the CEO.
Methodology
The data on school tech exposing student data was collected here.
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