Student Data Privacy and Security: A Call for Transparent Practices

Published:
Briefs, Case Studies, Papers, Reports
Author(s) and Contributors:
Author(s): Jenay Robert
Source(s) and Collection(s):
Sources(s): EDUCAUSE Publications Collection(s): Research Hub Students and Technology Studies Research Report Research Interactive Graphics and Infographics
ParentTopics:
BYOD Compliance Data Breach Data Governance Data Privacy Data Security Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Hybrid Learning Instructional Technologies Learning Environments Online Learning Privacy Privacy Policies Security Awareness Student Experience Student Learning Support Student Technology Use Vendor Management

Student Data Privacy: A Call for Transparent Practices

 

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In the spring of 2022 EDUCAUSE surveyed 820 U.S. undergraduate students to better understand students’ experiences with institutional policies and practices around data privacy and security, how those experiences impact their trust in the institution, and what equity issues exist.

Learn about what students are experiencing, and get recommendations on how to translate the research into action at your institution.

Read the report introduction >




Understanding Institutional Policies and Practices

Self-Reported Level of Familiarity with Personal Data Privacy and Information Security and Related Institutional Policies

A double bar chart comparing respondents' familiarity with general personal data privacy and security with their institution's personal data privacy and security policies. Overall, respondents are more familiar with general personal data privacy and security. For example, 38% of respondents said their familiarity with general personal data privacy and security was very high or above average, whereas only 21% of respondents said their familiarity with their institution's policies was very high or above average. Meanwhile, just 9% said their familiarity with general personal data privacy and security was below average or very low, whereas 27% said their familiarity with their institution's policies was below average or very low.

Students are less informed about institutional policies than they are about privacy and security in general.

Read more about institutional policies and practices > 




Trusting Institutions

Two stacked 100% bar charts showing respondents' level of agreement with two statements. The statements are: 'I have confidence in my institution's ability to safeguard my personal data' and 'I trust my institution to use my personal data ethically and responsibly.' For both statements, around half of respondents agreed or strongly agreed, a quarter to a third of respondents were neutral, and just over 10% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed. For both statements, about 10% of respondents did not answer or said they didn't know.

Students' lack of trust and confidence in their institutions’ data practices is becoming a persistent finding in EDUCAUSE research.

Learn more about trusting institutions >




Equity in Privacy and Security

Data privacy and information security are equity issues. In the 2021 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report: Information Security Edition, student data privacy and governance was the highest-rated practice for supporting equity and inclusion.

Read more about equity in privacy and security >




Reports and Supporting Materials