The Department of Education is committed to helping the education community better safeguard the security of student data in schools at all levels. While the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) does not require educational institutions to adopt specific security controls, security threats can pose a significant risk for student privacy. Educational institutions should take appropriate steps to safeguard student records. Breaches of educational data are common and can lead to a violation of FERPA, as well as to a host of negative consequences for students such as identity theft, fraud, and extortion.
This page is a portal to guidance and best practice resources for the educational community to use to enhance the security of their information systems. While these resources are principally geared to K-12 agencies and institutions, the security principles are the same regardless of grade level. Post-secondary institutions should refer to the FSA Cyber Security page for additional requirements.