Introducing the Data Observations (DO) Program: Technical Testing, Built by the Community

Schools, districts, and state agencies are asked to trust a growing universe of education technology with some of the most sensitive data they hold — and to do it with limited staff, limited time, and limited visibility into how those tools actually behave. EdTech providers, meanwhile, want to do right by their customers but often lack a clear, shared standard to test against.

The Data Observations (DO) Program exists to close that gap.

A Call To Action for Education Technology Stakeholders

The time has come for all stakeholders to unite and tackle the pressing security challenges in the Educational Technology (EdTech) sector. Data breaches are escalating in both frequency and severity, leaving student information vulnerable. A lack of coordination across the marketplace, driven by inconsistent controls and fragmented legal requirements, has only exacerbated the problem. However, there is hope. Through collaboration and a shared commitment to securing the educational ecosystem, we can create a safer environment for all EdTech products and services. Adopting and consistently adhering to standardized controls is essential. Many recent data breaches may have been avoided entirely if these measures had been in place.

Global Education Security Standard (GESS) and Self-Assessment released

The A4L Community, through its Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) has released a FREE self-assessment for marketplace providers as well as Version 2 of GESS. This tool will allow EdTech vendors to begin aligning to the Global Education Security Standard (GESS).

The SDPC publish the first ever international education sector specific data security standard – the Global Education Security Standard (GESS)

During the second annual Privacy & Interoperability Symposium, the Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC) announced version 1.0 of the first ever international education sector specific data security standard. The Global Education Security Standard (GESS) reflects the combined work and outputs of a multi-national team dedicated to improving the cyber safety of the education sector. The Student Data Privacy Consortium (SDPC), a Special Interest Group of the non-profit Access 4 Learning (A4L) Community, has been successful in bringing the educational technology (EdTech) marketplace players and school districts/states/countries together in addressing student data privacy obligations.

Access 4 Learning Community

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