FERPA

FERPA is a U.S. federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. It gives parents certain rights with respect to their children’s education records, and those rights transfer to the student when they reach the age of 18 or attend a school beyond the high school level.

FERPA primarily affects educational institutions, but it also impacts businesses that handle student data, such as educational technology companies, cloud service providers, and student loan providers. These businesses must ensure they comply with FERPA’s requirements regarding access, disclosure, and security of student records.

FERPA compliance involves implementing cybersecurity solutions to protect student data from unauthorized access, breaches, and other cyber threats. This includes encryption, access controls, security audits, and ensuring that any third-party vendors handling student data also adhere to FERPA’s standards.

FERPA compliance is essential for educational institutions and businesses working with them to maintain trust with students and parents. It demonstrates a commitment to protecting sensitive student information, which can enhance an organization’s reputation and attract students and clients.

Non-compliance with FERPA can result in loss of federal funding for educational institutions and legal repercussions for businesses. It can also lead to a loss of trust from students and parents, which can impact enrollment and business opportunities. In simple terms, respecting student privacy is not only legally required, it’s the right thing to do.