How to Build a Secure School Network

Building a secure school network is no longer optional. Schools face thousands of cyberattacks weekly, with ransomware alone costing up to $1 million per incident. Protecting sensitive student and staff data requires a structured approach. Here’s how you can safeguard your school’s digital infrastructure:

• Assemble a Security Team: Include IT specialists, administrators, teachers, external experts, and law enforcement to cover all angles.
• Conduct a Risk Assessment: Identify weak points in your network, from unpatched software to physical access vulnerabilities.
• Implement Network Segmentation: Separate networks for students, staff, and IoT devices to limit damage from potential breaches.
• Use Access Controls: Restrict access based on roles and enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) to secure sensitive data.
• Install Detection Systems: Deploy firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS), and web filters to monitor and block threats in real time.
• Regular Updates: Keep software, hardware, and firmware current to patch vulnerabilities.
• Develop Security Policies: Create clear rules for acceptable use, password management, and incident response.
• Train Staff and Students: Teach cybersecurity basics to reduce human error, responsible for 95% of security breaches.
• Ensure Legal Compliance: Follow FERPA, COPPA, and other laws to protect student data and avoid penalties.

Cyber threats evolve daily, but with a proactive strategy, schools can protect their networks, data, and community from costly breaches. Read on for detailed steps to secure your school’s systems.

Defending Your Cyber Castle: Multi-Layered Protection for K-12 Schools

Building a Security Planning Team

Creating a secure school network isn’t a one-person job - it’s a team effort. Bringing together a variety of perspectives and expertise ensures that technical weaknesses, operational challenges, and policy gaps are all addressed. The key is collaboration, as it serves as the foundation for effective and sustainable security planning.

"Collaborative leadership and practices provide the relational 'glue' that connects and reinforces the other pillars, making it foundational and critical for the success of a community school strategy." - Community Schools Playbook

When schools bring together multidisciplinary teams, they set the stage for a security strategy that tackles everything from technical vulnerabilities to compliance needs, while also considering the day-to-day realities of educators and students.

Finding Key Team Members

A well-rounded security planning team is made up of subject matter experts (SMEs), security professionals, and stakeholders who bring unique insights into school operations. Here’s a breakdown of who should be at the table:

• IT Specialists: These are your go-to experts for network architecture, system vulnerabilities, and troubleshooting technical challenges. They’re the backbone of your team when it comes to implementing and maintaining secure systems.
• School Administrators: They bring a deep understanding of budget limitations, policy needs, and institutional goals. Their input ensures that security measures align with broader school priorities.
• Teachers and Educational Staff: These team members provide a practical perspective, offering insights into how security measures impact daily teaching and learning routines. Their experience with technology in the classroom is invaluable.
• External Security Professionals: These experts bring an outside perspective on current threats, best practices, and compliance standards. They can identify risks that internal teams might miss and provide objective assessments.
• Facility and Support Staff: Their knowledge of physical security, hiring practices, and facility upgrades ensures that both digital and physical vulnerabilities are addressed.
• Law Enforcement and Security Personnel: Local, state, and federal agencies can share intelligence on potential threats and help design effective countermeasures.

A great example of collaborative planning in action comes from Lincoln, Nebraska, where the School Neighborhood Advisory Council (SNAC) model brings together parents, students, educators, and community members. This diverse group works together to oversee school programs, demonstrating how inclusive planning can lead to stronger outcomes.

Setting Clear Roles and Duties

For a team to work effectively, everyone needs to know their role. Clear definitions of responsibilities and goals keep the group focused and ensure that tasks are completed efficiently.

• Play to Strengths: Assign tasks based on expertise. For instance, an IT director might handle technical implementation, while administrators focus on policy and budgets. External consultants could take on vulnerability assessments within a specific timeline.
• Set Expectations: Establish deadlines, outline available resources, and clarify deliverables. This ensures everyone knows what’s expected of them and keeps the project on track.
• Regular Check-Ins: Schedule monthly planning meetings and quarterly reviews during implementation. This helps the team stay aligned and adapt to any new challenges as they arise.
• Encourage Open Communication: Foster an environment of trust where team members feel comfortable discussing vulnerabilities or resource constraints. Honest dialogue leads to stronger solutions.

Annual security reviews are another essential step. These meetings allow the team to evaluate what’s working, identify new threats, and make updates to the security plan as needed.

Lastly, document everything. Written descriptions of each member’s responsibilities, reporting structure, and decision-making authority prevent confusion and ensure continuity if someone leaves the team. With roles clearly defined, the team can move forward to assess and address network vulnerabilities.

Checking Your Network for Risks and Weak Points

Once your security team is in place, the next logical step is understanding exactly what you're safeguarding. A detailed risk assessment uncovers the weak spots in your current setup before they turn into expensive headaches. Cyber attacks happen every 40 seconds, and 81% of respondents report that the hourly costs of such incidents can exceed $300,000. This step lays the groundwork for creating strong security measures moving forward.

"A risk assessment in network security systematically identifies, evaluates, and prioritizes potential threats to your infrastructure." - FireMon

Risk assessments aren’t a one-and-done task. Kayne McGladrey recommends conducting them annually and after significant organizational changes. For schools, this means reassessing your network before rolling out new technology, after policy updates, or when new risks emerge.

Testing Your Current Network Setup

Start by creating a detailed asset map that includes every part of your network. This means cataloging servers, endpoints used by students and staff, databases, IoT devices like smart boards and security cameras, and cloud resources like email platforms or learning management systems. Then, take a closer look at your firewall settings, check every endpoint (like computers, tablets, and phones) for vulnerabilities, and identify unpatched software or open ports that could be exploited.

Here are some common ways to test your network:

Type of Assessment	Purpose	Examples
Vulnerability Assessment	Finds weak points and misconfigurations in your network	Automated scans, manual reviews, vulnerability tools
Penetration Testing	Simulates real-world attacks to test your defenses	Black box, white box, gray box testing
Security Audit	Ensures compliance with standards and best practices	Compliance reviews, architecture checks, governance assessments

The cost of a network security scan typically ranges from $500 to $2,500 per scan. This is a small price to pay compared to the potential cost of a successful attack. Many schools start with automated vulnerability scans as a cost-effective way to get a baseline understanding of their network’s security.

Don’t forget about physical security. Walk through your facilities and document where network equipment is located. Are server rooms locked and secure? Can unauthorized individuals access network closets or wireless access points? Physical access often provides attackers with an easy way to compromise digital systems.

Finding Digital and Physical Threats

Schools are prime targets because they hold valuable data but often lack robust security resources. In 2022, a survey revealed that 80% of school IT professionals experienced a ransomware attack within the year.

Mikela Lea, Principal Field Solution Architect for Security Assessments at CDW•G, highlights why schools are so appealing to attackers:

"The biggest issue with our school districts is that they have the last virgin information on the planet... It's very profitable, for many reasons. It can be sold for identities, it can be sold for credit purposes - the list goes on".

After mapping your digital assets and testing your setup, expand your review to include both cyber and physical vulnerabilities. Schools face a variety of digital threats, such as phishing attacks targeting staff emails, ransomware capable of shutting down systems, and unauthorized access through weak passwords or outdated software. The education sector accounts for over 80% of all reported malware incidents, making a thorough digital threat assessment a must.

Pay close attention to credential security. Jen Miller-Osborn, Deputy Director of Threat Intelligence at Unit 42, Palo Alto Networks, explains:

"Stolen credentials are the No. 1 preferred goal of many attackers... Especially as we're working from home, it's important to make sure people increase those good habits, and that can take some behavioral change".

Physical vulnerabilities are just as critical but are often overlooked. Evaluate access control systems, emergency response plans, and physical security measures. Consider strategies like Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which uses environmental planning to reduce crime opportunities [10].

Your assessment should pinpoint gaps in three main areas: physical security measures, established protocols and procedures, and staff education and training. Human error plays a major role in security breaches, with 74% of data breaches attributed to carelessness or mistakes. This makes staff behavior a crucial focus during your evaluation.

Organize your findings using a risk matrix that ranks vulnerabilities based on their severity and likelihood. High-risk issues might include unpatched systems with known exploits, while lower-risk items could involve outdated software that still receives security updates.

Ransomware attacks are on the rise, increasing by 400% annually. For K-12 schools, a single cyberattack can cost anywhere from $50,000 to over $1 million. These figures highlight why a thorough risk assessment isn’t just helpful - it’s essential for protecting your school community and avoiding devastating financial losses.

The insights you gain from this comprehensive assessment will directly shape the security measures and monitoring systems you implement in the next phase of building a secure network.

Building and Setting Up Secure Network Systems

Once you've completed your risk assessment and identified vulnerabilities, it's time to put your security plan into action. This step involves creating a robust security infrastructure to protect your school’s sensitive data and systems. A multi-layered defense approach is essential to guard against potential threats.

Network Separation and Access Controls

The first line of defense in securing your network is segmentation. This strategy divides your school’s network into smaller, isolated segments, making it harder for attackers to move laterally if they gain access to one part. By containing threats to a single area, segmentation helps prevent the exposure of critical data, such as student records, financial information, and administrative systems.

To implement this, group similar resources together and create separate network segments for different user groups and functions. For instance, set up dedicated VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) for administrative staff, teachers, students, and guests. Financial institutions often use this approach to isolate payment card processing systems, and schools can adopt a similar strategy to safeguard student information systems and financial databases.

Pay special attention to IoT devices like smart boards and security cameras, which often have limited built-in security. Assign these devices to separate VLANs or subnets, ensuring they can only communicate with authorized management servers. Guest access should also be isolated. Set up a guest Wi-Fi VLAN with restricted access to keep visitors’ devices from interacting with internal systems.

Access controls complement segmentation by ensuring that users only have access to the data and systems they need. Implement Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to assign permissions based on job roles, and add Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for an extra layer of security. For example, a teacher doesn’t need access to payroll systems, and cafeteria staff shouldn’t be able to view academic records.

The importance of limiting access is clear: 44% of organizations experienced a breach in the past year, with 74% citing excessive privileged access to third parties as a key factor.

"Providing remote access to third parties without implementing the appropriate security safeguards is almost guaranteeing a security incident and a data breach involving sensitive and confidential information", - Dr. Larry Ponemon, Chairman and Founder of Ponemon Institute.

With segmented networks and strict access controls in place, the next step is to detect and prevent attacks in real time.

Attack Detection and Prevention Systems

Active monitoring is critical to identifying and stopping threats before they cause damage. Firewalls act as your first line of defense, controlling traffic between network segments and blocking unauthorized access. Deploy them at both the network perimeter and within internal segments for comprehensive protection.

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) are also vital. These tools monitor network traffic for suspicious activity, with IDS alerting you to potential threats and IPS actively blocking them. For schools with limited IT staff, managed security service providers (MSSPs) can offer 24/7 monitoring and incident response, ensuring threats are addressed even outside of school hours.

Web filtering systems are particularly useful in educational settings, where students may unintentionally visit compromised websites. Use web filters to block malicious sites, reducing the risk of malware downloads and phishing attempts.

One example of effective implementation comes from The Education Alliance, which adopted Heimdal in 2018 to strengthen cybersecurity across multiple schools. This platform streamlined management for a large-scale network and improved defenses against phishing and malware.

"Heimdal has been crucial for our school's cybersecurity. Its DNS Security feature blocks harmful websites effectively, enhancing our defenses against phishing and malware. Additionally, the Ransomware Encryption Protection module ensures our sensitive data is secure, providing real-time detection and preventing potential ransomware attacks." - Chris Maddocks, IT Manager, Park Community School.

While network monitoring is essential, keeping your systems updated is equally critical to maintaining security.

Updating Software and Hardware Regularly

Outdated software and hardware are prime targets for cybercriminals. Regular updates and security patches are your best defense against known vulnerabilities.

Start by creating a patch management system. Catalog all software and hardware in your network, from operating systems and applications to firmware on network devices. Prioritize critical updates and test patches in a controlled environment before rolling them out network-wide.

Automated patch management tools can simplify this process, identifying and applying updates during off-peak hours. These tools also provide compliance reports to ensure your systems remain secure.

A great example comes from SAU 67, a group of schools in New Hampshire. They adopted Heimdal to manage vulnerabilities and improve threat detection. The proactive tools earned praise for their effectiveness.

"Over the years, we've tried various endpoint solutions, but they often posed challenges in terms of management or simply didn't get the job done effectively. Microsoft's WSUS server also left us frustrated when it came to handling Windows patching, and we lacked a solid solution for third-party applications. That's when we discovered Heimdal... Trust me, it's a game-changer for your IT department – saving you a ton of time." – Roy D. Bailey Jr., Chief Technology Director, SAU 67.

Don’t overlook third-party applications and browser plugins, which are often exploited by attackers. Regularly update commonly used tools like PDF readers, web browsers, and office software. Hardware updates are just as important - ensure network equipment firmware is up-to-date, and replace older devices that no longer receive security updates.

The stakes are high: in 2023, schools faced an average of 21 ransomware attacks per month, a 91% increase from the previous year. Regular updates and proactive maintenance are essential to staying ahead of these threats.

To minimize disruptions, schedule updates during low-usage periods, such as evenings or weekends. This routine maintenance not only strengthens your defenses but also ensures your network operates smoothly for students and staff.

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Creating Security Rules and Monitoring Systems

Once you’ve put a secure infrastructure in place, the next step is to solidify that foundation with clear policies and constant monitoring. A well-defined network security policy acts as a guide to protect your systems and data. These measures ensure your defenses stay strong, even as cyber threats continue to evolve.

Between 2018 and 2021, schools experienced over 1,300 cyber incidents, with an average breach cost of $3.65 million. Considering there are more than 50 million students enrolled in K-12 schools across the U.S., implementing robust security policies and monitoring systems is absolutely necessary.

Writing Clear Security Policies

Effective security begins with well-thought-out policies. These should cover several critical areas: defining objectives, categorizing assets, setting access rules, requiring strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA), managing software updates, and establishing a clear incident response plan.

Start with an acceptable use policy that outlines how school technology can be used. For example, specify which websites staff and students can access, how personal devices may connect to the network, and rules for software installations. You might, for instance, allow access to educational video platforms while restricting entertainment streaming during school hours.

Password and authentication policies are another cornerstone. Since human error accounts for 74% of data breaches, enforce strong password requirements - such as a minimum of 12 characters with a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols - and require MFA for all administrative accounts and systems containing sensitive student information.

Your incident response policy should clearly outline what to do during a security breach. Include contact information for the IT team, school administrators, and external cybersecurity experts. Make sure everyone knows the steps for reporting and documenting incidents.

Also, plan for exceptions. Technology evolves quickly, so policies should be flexible enough to handle unforeseen situations. Review and update them at least annually, especially since ransomware attacks on K-12 schools surged by 92% between 2022 and 2023.

24/7 Threat Monitoring

Continuous monitoring is critical because cyber threats can linger undetected for months. Real-time monitoring allows schools to identify and respond to issues before they escalate.

To strengthen your defenses, deploy Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) tools. Unlike basic antivirus software, EDR solutions monitor every device on the network, from teacher laptops to student tablets, offering detailed insights into potential threats.

Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems can also play a central role. These systems collect and analyze data from across your network, helping IT teams respond to threats in real time. For schools with limited resources, managed security services offer professional-grade monitoring without the need for additional staff. For instance, Harvard University uses Managed Detection and Response (MDR) solutions to combat advanced threats, while Georgia Tech relies on AI-driven network monitoring to prevent cyberattacks.

To make monitoring more effective, establish network baselines. Document normal activity patterns throughout the day and school year to distinguish between legitimate high usage - like during online testing - and potential threats like distributed denial-of-service attacks. This approach ensures you can spot unusual activity quickly.

Regular Security Checks and Scans

Routine security checks are essential for identifying vulnerabilities early. Regular scans, automated alerts, and annual risk assessments help schools stay ahead of potential threats.

Use tools like CISA's Cyber Hygiene Vulnerability Scanning service to assess your systems periodically. These scans can uncover misconfigurations, outdated software, and weak security measures. Additionally, evaluate policy compliance to ensure staff accounts have appropriate access levels, particularly after role changes or departures.

Proactive monitoring is another key step. Set performance thresholds and automate alerts for unusual network activity, such as increased latency or bandwidth usage. These metrics can reveal issues like malware or unauthorized data transfers. Conduct annual risk assessments and test your incident response plan regularly, updating it based on what you learn.

Training your IT team is equally important. Teach them how to interpret alerts, identify anomalies, and respond effectively to incidents. This preparation ensures they can act quickly when real threats arise.

Lastly, review and update your cybersecurity policies regularly to address emerging threats and comply with new regulations. Involving cybersecurity experts and legal advisors in these updates ensures your policies remain effective and compliant. Monitoring also helps meet regulatory requirements, reducing the risk of penalties.

With cybercrime projected to cost the global economy over $20 trillion by 2026, investing in monitoring and regular security checks is far less costly than dealing with the aftermath of an attack. Proactive measures today can save significant resources - and headaches - tomorrow.

Training Users and Meeting Legal Requirements

Advanced security measures can only go so far without properly trained users. Human error is behind a staggering 95% of security incidents. With educational institutions experiencing an average of 2,300 attacks per week, equipping users with knowledge and ensuring legal compliance are critical steps to safeguard your community and prevent costly breaches.

Teaching Cybersecurity Basics

For cybersecurity training to succeed, it must reach every member of the school community. The K-12 Cybersecurity Learning Standards focus on three key areas: Computing Systems (CS), Digital Citizenship (DC), and Security (SEC). These standards provide a structured approach to teaching age-appropriate cybersecurity concepts.

Start with role-specific training for staff. For instance, teachers face different threats than administrative personnel, but everyone should know how to spot phishing emails and report suspicious activity. Core topics to cover include recognizing fake emails, creating strong passwords, identifying social engineering tactics, and understanding the privacy laws that impact daily operations.

For students, embedding cybersecurity lessons into the curriculum ensures better retention. Younger students can learn to keep personal information private online, middle schoolers can explore password safety and digital footprints, and high schoolers can dive into more advanced topics like data encryption and network security.

New hires should receive cybersecurity training immediately, with periodic refreshers to stay current on evolving threats and policy updates. Vendors with access to school systems also need tailored training specific to their roles.

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) underscores the importance of a top-down approach:

"Recommendations throughout this report are informed by insights from policymakers, government officials, and members of the K–12 community. These recommendations are presented with a caveat: change must come from the top down. Leaders must establish and reinforce a cybersecure culture. Information technology and cybersecurity personnel cannot bear the burden alone."

To make training practical, use real-world examples like phishing emails that have targeted schools. Staff can practice verifying suspicious requests for student information and rehearse incident reporting through tabletop exercises.

This training complements technical defenses, fostering a culture of ongoing cybersecurity awareness.

Following Legal Standards

Legal compliance is more than a technical requirement - it builds trust and avoids penalties.

Federal laws form the backbone of student data protection. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) safeguards student records and regulates who can access them. The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) limits data collection from children under 13, while the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA) mandates internet safety policies, including content filtering, to protect students online.

Regulation	Key Requirements
FERPA	Protects student records, grants access to parents and eligible students, and controls information disclosure
COPPA	Limits data collection from children under 13
CIPA	Requires internet safety policies and content filtering
PPRA	Ensures privacy during surveys and requires parental consent for certain data collection

State laws add another layer, with over 140 state-specific regulations bolstering these protections. Many state laws go beyond federal requirements, making it essential to understand both levels of obligation.

Training should clarify key topics like the definition of educational records, access rights, consent protocols, and directory procedures. Staff also need guidance on handling third-party information requests and responding appropriately during emergencies.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stresses that security requirements apply even in the absence of a data breach:

"Even absent a breach, COPPA-covered ed tech providers violate COPPA if they lack reasonable security."

Similarly, the U.S. Department of Education emphasizes proactive data protection:

"We interpret this prohibition to mean that an educational agency or institution must use physical, technological, administrative and other methods, including training, to protect education records in ways that are reasonable and appropriate to the circumstances in which the information or records are maintained."

Annual FERPA training is essential to raise awareness about rights and responsibilities, while ongoing security training equips staff to recognize and report phishing attempts, suspicious emails, and potential breaches. Documenting all training efforts is crucial for proving compliance during audits or investigations.

In 2018, the Department of Education's inspector general reported delays in FERPA complaint investigations due to limited resources and increasing complexity. This highlights the importance of proactive compliance rather than reacting to violations after the fact.

Develop robust data security and incident response policies approved by leadership, and create training campaigns for all stakeholders - including administrators, IT staff, educators, parents, and students. With federal funding making up about 8% of U.S. elementary and secondary education budgets, failure to comply with regulations can lead to financial consequences far beyond fines and penalties.

Conclusion: Main Steps for Building a Secure School Network

Creating a secure school network demands more than just the basics. With K-12 institutions facing a 92% rise in ransomware attacks in 2024 and a 95–98% likelihood of email phishing attacks within the next 12 to 18 months, cybersecurity can no longer be an afterthought.

The process begins with assembling a strong team. Bring together IT experts, administrators, teachers, and facilities staff to address both digital and physical vulnerabilities. A collaborative approach ensures no weak points are overlooked.

Next, conduct a thorough risk assessment. Identify valuable assets and pinpoint vulnerabilities. Since cyber threats constantly evolve, make it a priority to revisit and update these assessments regularly.

When it comes to technical measures, layering is key. Use frameworks like the NIST Cyber Security Framework to guide your strategy. Implement role-based access control to restrict sensitive data access, and ensure systems are updated frequently to patch known vulnerabilities.

Policies and monitoring systems are equally critical. Develop clear incident response plans to handle breaches and set up 24/7 monitoring systems to detect threats early. Regular audits and penetration tests can uncover weaknesses before attackers do.

As Sophos highlights:

"While advanced and automated technologies are essential elements of an effective anti-ransomware defense, stopping hands-on attackers also requires human monitoring and intervention by skilled professionals… We strongly recommend all organizations build up their human expertise in the face of the ongoing ransomware threat."

Finally, commit to continuous improvement. Cyber threats evolve daily, so your security strategy must adapt just as quickly. Regularly testing and refining your plan is non-negotiable. With ransomware attacks costing U.S. schools and colleges $9.45 billion in 2022, the stakes are simply too high to ignore.

Schools are often labeled as "target-rich, cyber poor" because they hold vast amounts of sensitive data but often lack adequate defenses. However, with careful planning, robust implementation, and ongoing vigilance, educational institutions can build secure networks that protect both students and the valuable information they entrust to schools.

In today’s tech-driven education landscape, network security is no longer optional - it’s essential to creating a safe and productive learning environment. These steps lay the groundwork for a security strategy that evolves alongside emerging threats, ensuring schools stay protected while fostering growth and learning.

FAQs

What are the essential roles in a school network security team, and why are they important?

A reliable school network security team plays a key role in safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining a secure digital environment. Here are the primary roles that make up such a team:

• Chief Information Security Officer (CISO): Responsible for crafting the overarching security strategy and ensuring all policies are followed.
• Network/System Administrators: Oversee and maintain the network's infrastructure, ensuring it remains secure and operational.
• Security Analysts: Keep an eye out for potential threats, investigate incidents, and address breaches when they occur.
• Support Staff: Offer training and assistance to users, encouraging safe practices and ensuring security measures are effectively implemented.

Each of these roles contributes to the overall goal of creating a strong, secure network. The CISO establishes the vision, administrators maintain the infrastructure, analysts actively defend against threats, and support staff promote cybersecurity awareness throughout the school. Together, they form a united front against digital risks.

What steps can schools take to identify and address network security vulnerabilities?

To pinpoint and mitigate network weaknesses, schools need to perform a thorough risk assessment. Begin by forming a focused team tasked with outlining the assessment's goals and scope. Catalog all network assets, rank them based on their importance, and identify possible threats and vulnerabilities.

Key practices such as vulnerability scans, penetration testing, and security audits play a crucial role in detecting flaws and prioritizing risks. Tackling these issues head-on helps fortify network defenses and safeguard sensitive information. These steps create a more secure and dependable digital space for both students and staff.

What steps should schools take to comply with student data protection laws?

To ensure compliance with student data protection laws, schools need to take a few key measures. First, familiarize yourself with federal regulations like FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), which is designed to protect student education records. Make sure your school’s policies are in line with these legal requirements.

Staff training is another critical step. Regularly educate your team on data privacy best practices and conduct audits to spot any weak points in your system. Appointing a data privacy officer can also help maintain oversight and ensure compliance is consistently managed.

Additionally, keep a close eye on the use of online tools and platforms. This helps prevent unauthorized access or potential data breaches. Establish clear communication practices so that parents, students, and staff stay informed about your privacy policies and any updates. By staying alert and organized, schools can safeguard sensitive information while fulfilling their legal responsibilities.