LMS Security is a Growing Concern Among Businesses

Security is moving to the forefront across the tech industry. The age of innocence on the internet is long over. Gone are the carefree days of the 1990s, replaced by worrying trends that show hackers improving their trade and getting away with more data than ever before. In 2016 alone, a number of significant entities were hit including Australian aerospace manufacturer FACC who serves the likes of Boeing and Airbus. Even the U.S. Justice Department and IRS experienced a data breach.

The Ed Tech World is Not Immune to Hacking

Educational institutions also find themselves on the radar of unscrupulous hackers. A breach at the University of Central Florida affected 63,000 students while financial data for over 80,000 students at UC Berkeley were compromised last year. What is even more concerning is the methods used to obtain the data. In many cases, unauthorized access is the result of a lack of security.
A survey conducted by Common Sense Education’s Privacy Evaluation Institute discovered that a mere 52% of over 1,000 ed tech vendors surveyed utilize data encryption. Out of those that did not, 20% did not require it while 25% were not designed to support encryption. Combine the lack of security measures with the rapid growth seen in the industry, and it’s a recipe for disaster in the near future.

Making Security & Privacy a Top Priority

Now is the time for educators to evaluate their systems to look for ways hackers could access personal and financial data. This process should begin with a review of their ed tech provider and the security measures the company offers. When proper measures are not in place, it is up to the educator to make sure sensitive data is protected.
According to the coordinator of instructional technology at Alabama’s Talladega County Schools Craig Bates, “The big challenge is the education of adults, teachers, and administrators so that they’re aware of laws and best practices. You can put policies in place, but there’s no software or other tool that can enforce them. Education is the best defense because that’s what can lead to everyone being diligent.”

Security is a Problem That Must Be Solved Today

The success of ed tech and survival of individual companies operating within it is closely tied to security. In order to build and retain trust among students, businesses, and other organizations, there must be protections in place to keep data safe. Security is a problem that every ed tech company and educational institution should address today to protect the future of learners and this hugely profitable, fast-growing industry.