FERPA Compliant Cloud Storage: 5 Questions to Ask Before Switching to the Cloud

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When your district is considering a cloud storage solution to protect student records, there are several things to consider in order to take inventory of what system your district currently has, how well it is working, and what needs to be changed.

Increasingly, districts have been turning to cloud-based storage to manage their student records securely, and to maintain compliance with FERPA and other regulations. Successful implementation of the cloud takes careful planning, and a clear view of your districts goals. Here are five questions to ask when your district is considering the cloud:

1. Have you evaluated your district’s current data storage center? Would a cloud-based system be more secure than the current system? Look at your current system and compare it to potential replacements to review firewalls, security monitoring and response, and other functions.

2. Is the system compliant with FERPA and FOIA as well as local, state, and federal laws? Specifically, would cloud storage still allow eligible students and parents to access their information when needed? Does the cloud solution store, use, and destroy data according to legal guidelines?

3. Is the vendor supportive enough for the needs of your district? Will they help with training and implementation of the new system?

4. Is the system easy enough to be widely used without extensive training?

5. How will your district control the data? Specifically, would the new system be able to integrate with the current district management system?

Converting your records and storing them in the cloud can have significant advantages where your student records are concerned, but choosing the correct system for your district involves extensive research and comparison with other systems. Cloud storage can not only keep your records more secure, but it can also help your district maintain compliance with FERPA, FOIA, and other necessary state and federal standards. In the December 2011 amendments made to FERPA guidelines, the U.S. government stated that it was moving towards a model for secure cloud computing, which, in itself, shows the increasing confidence in cloud storage systems.

At Datamation, we understand that you are constantly looking for ways to improve your district and keep your students safe and happy. Because of this, we always work towards finding the perfect solution for your district’s needs. We offer several different options for record storage that take into account these questions, which will ultimately help you find the perfect fit.