Secure data in education: What's at risk?
Information exchange is a central facet of all educational institutions. After all, teaching cannot take place without it. However, higher educational establishments and universities in particular, need to protect their intellectual property as plagiarism is a widespread and significant issue.
Educational establishments also hold detailed personal records of their current and past students, and of their staff. Schools, higher education authorities and other related parties have a legislative duty to ensure that this information is appropriately safeguarded.
Data security: The challenge
Though many institutions have good standards of handling secure data in education establishments, a significant number still underestimate the risk of data loss and fraud. Both to their own reputation and to the individuals whose personal information they are entrusted with.
Whether it happens through criminal intent or by complete accident, a data breach is still a data breach.
In the last year, Becta has updated its guidelines for secure data in education sector:
"Becta is recommending that access from outside the school - for example where a teacher or lecturer is working from home - should be via secure access to the management information system or learning platform where this is available."
In particular, Becta urge the use of two-factor authentication to access central information, and the use of data encryption when transmitting files.
Meeting guidelines for secure access and sharing by remote staff and students
With ISEEU Global's Education
Accessibility solution, teachers, lecturers and students can:
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Access all necessary applications and information securely, from anywhere
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Send and receive sensitive information concerning students or staff via highly secure & confidential methods
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Audit the workflow and access detailed reports for governance purposes
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Easily collaborate with other educational establishments, child protection, health or other agencies in real-time using secure virtual meetings
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Be confident in meeting Government security standards - CESG Check accreditation, including two-factor authentication and data encryption as standard
If you want to know more