Applying the standards framework in education? Work together!
The best education for every student. We dare say that is the mission of every school in the Netherlands. Enabling each student to develop in a way that suits them, so they get a strong start in life, that is the goal. Every school does this in its own way. Yet certain things must be done in a consistent way. The standards framework provides a set of guidelines for structuring your organizational processes for information security and privacy. That is the challenge in education. How do you make sure everyone is aligned? Without losing sight of the standards framework? In order to deliver safe and practical education for every student? You do that by involving the right people, deploying the right tools, and above all by working closely together.
What is the IBP FO standards framework?
In modern education, where more and more is digital, digital security is increasingly important. That is why major stakeholders in education, such as the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), Kennisnet, and others, have joined forces to create a secure learning environment. This resulted in the standards framework Information Security and Privacy for Primary and Secondary Education (IBP FO). This standard supports school boards, school leaders, and IT departments in improving their information security and privacy. But what is information security? And what is privacy?
Information security concerns protecting personal information. The goal is that only authorized individuals can access the information and that the information remains accurate and unaltered.
Privacy goes a step further. It involves obtaining consent and informing people about what happens to their data.
Rules and responsibilities
How do you apply information security and privacy? Or better yet, how do you apply them in line with the standards framework? You implement the standards framework by defining rules and responsibilities. In other words, governance. Documented governance defines which user may access what, until when, and for what purpose. It also defines who manages access, such as revoking, removing, or adding accounts. By first designing your governance in full, you create a solid plan with the right stakeholders that is clear to everyone. This prevents exceptions and divergent practices that could later pose a risk to information security and privacy. When you work with SPEYK, we ensure that no question remains unanswered in the governance policy. We then determine the best tools to deploy. One example is Identity and Access Management (IAM).
How can Identity and Access Management help?
Identity and Access Management occupies a central place within the standards framework. This is evident from the dedication of an entire chapter to the topic, and from repeated references throughout the framework.
With Identity & Access Management you strengthen information security. It enables you to precisely determine who receives access and permissions to various systems and user accounts. This is essential to prevent sensitive information, such as student contact details, from being viewed without authorization by teachers, students, or malicious actors.
With IAM you ensure that:
Structured procedures exist for granting access.
The history of access grants is traceable, so it is always clear who granted access.
Responsibility for assigning access and permissions does not rest with a single person.
A response plan is in place to react efficiently in an emergency.
At Tools4ever we have 25 years of experience with IAM solutions for schools. We explain exactly how this works in our webinar.
Want to see a live demo environment of IAM in action? Then register for the webinar Standards Framework in Education on March 27 and also see how SPEYK and Tools4ever work together!
Stronger together than alone
You do not have to implement the standards framework on your own. There is a lot involved. That can be overwhelming. It is therefore important to work with the right partners. SPEYK and Tools4ever work together, each with its own expertise in a specific area. This allows you to focus on what you do best. You as an education professional can focus on delivering quality education for students, and on a productive way of working for support staff and employees. SPEYK focuses on the correct implementation of governance. And Tools4ever on the correct implementation of the available tools. Together we have more than 50 years of experience in information security, privacy, and IAM. By acting as partners, you carry less burden, you can let go of certain peripheral tasks, while retaining control.
Do you want not only to read, but also to see how Tools4ever and SPEYK work together? And experience the benefits for you? Then join the online webinar on Wednesday, March 27.
This blog was created in collaboration with SPEYK.