Summary
Technology has played a disruptive role in catapulting education to digital platforms like online learning and virtual classrooms
Governments around the globe have rolled out stringent regulations to prohibit any misuse of student data and privacy
In recent times, education has undergone significant transformation due to technological advancement. Technology has played a disruptive role in catapulting education to digital platforms like online learning and virtual classrooms. Due to the commencement of digitalization, education has increased its outreach to far nooks and corners of the globe. Digital transformation has made education more accessible to students in remote areas. It has introduced new teaching methods and forms that make learning informative and exciting. However, there are certain disadvantages to the digitalization of education, like data privacy and security of students, cyber threats, etc. It is pivotal for educational institutes to meet the challenges of data security and privacy in education.
Prevent Data Security Threat
In digital education, student data is invaluable. Such data gives insights to educators about personalized styles of learning; it also helps create and introduce unique learning methodologies. However, students' data also consists of their personal information, which, if landed into the wrong hands, can cause immense harm. Educational institutes are a common target for data security threats like fishing. Every institute must sensitize its staff to types of data security threats to safeguard important data, especially student information, from phishing attacks.
Incorporating Data Protection Measures
It is pivotal to incorporate state-of-the-art digital security measures by educational institutes to safeguard data security. Digital tools like Zoom conferences, etc., can be misused by hackers and cyber thieves. Such barging can result in data theft and, worse, cyberbullying of the students. Strong data guidelines, such as collecting data that is not personalized and protecting the students' privacy, can help effectively in data security. It is essential that educators have an appropriate understanding of how to operate digital tools efficiently that can sieve any misuse by any data thief or cybercriminal.
Laws and Regulations
Governments around the globe have rolled out stringent regulations to prohibit any misuse of student data and privacy. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act 23 in India was created to safeguard personal information and privacy. Similarly, the General Data Protection Regulation in the European Union has set strict guidelines for collecting and processing personal data. In the United States, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act protects the privacy of student education records. It is pertinent that educational institutes understand these laws and regulations to take necessary steps when required.
Protecting Data through Encryption
One of the most effective tools for data security is encryption. Encrypting the data protects data from being stolen, changed, or compromised and works by converting data into a secret code that can only be unlocked with a unique digital key. A good encryption is tough to break even for a seasoned cybercriminal. Encryption prevents unauthorized access to sensitive data, even if the breach occurs. Encryption not only safeguards data access but also protects data during transfer, protects the data over multiple devices and maintains data integrity. This helps to safeguard against attacks on student's privacy.
Maintaining Ethical Standards while Collecting Data
The data collection has immense benefits for creating effective educational outcomes. However, it is crucial that data collection must be done ethically. It is advisable to collect relevant data for the purpose it is needed. Do not collect sensitive or personal data from the students; this is a critical practice. Avoid using data for commercial use. Using personal data for commercialization without prior consent is unethical and an offence under the new regulations.
Digitalization of education has added a significant milestone in the transformation of education. However, digitalization also brings its own set of data and privacy security issues. Educational institutes must invest in robust data security measures and tools to safeguard students from cyber threats, theft and crime. The educational institute must build a specific cyber security department to protect itself and its students from cyber threats. It is essential to sensitize and educate educators, students and parents about cyber threats and regulations by the government to prevent cyber-attacks.
About the author: Koneru Lakshman Havish, Vice-President of KL Deemed to be University is the grandson of renowned industrialist Koneru Lakshmaiah who founded the Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation which, under the same trust, has evolved as K L Deemed to be University. He took a degree in Engineering at Purdue University in the US.
Last updated on 09 Nov 2023
