What would happen if someone, a competitor, a cybercriminal gained access to your edtech data? The impact can be severe: reputational damage in the market, legal penalties, and potential of financial losses. y.

4 Ways to Protect Data

1️⃣ Secure Sensitive Information (data that contains student or parent info) (ST4S: Access Controls)

• Restrict access to sensitive systems and files based on job role (principle of least privilege).

• Might want to use data classification so it is clear that this data is sensitive and needs to be protected, not shared etc.

• Apply encryption to protect confidential data at rest and in transit.

2️⃣ Defend Against Malware & Modern Threats (ST4S: Technical Security Controls)

• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) tools, not just basic antivirus.

• Keep all software patched automatically to close known vulnerabilities.

• Use web and email filtering to reduce exposure to ransomware, spyware, and phishing attacks.

3️⃣ Enforce Strong Authentication (ST4S: Identity & Access Management)

• Require multi-factor authentication (MFA) for all systems, including cloud services and remote logins.

• Where possible, enable biometric authentication (fingerprint/Face ID).

• Ban password reuse across systems and encourage use of password managers.n You can set this up in most password safes.

• Monitor for compromised credentials using dark web scanning or identity monitoring tools.

4️⃣Build a Security-Aware Workforce (ST4S: Training & Awareness)

• Train staff to recognise phishing attempts, social engineering, and insider threat indicators.

• Run regular phishing simulations to test awareness. Start with the Phishing example in this portal.

Final Thought

Preventing data theft is not just about technology — it’s about people, processes, and vigilance. By combining strong technical controls, physical security, and ongoing staff awareness, you reduce the risk of sensitive data falling into the wrong hands.