Making secure choices: choosing safe edtech software

By Zachary Amos

As digital learning tools become a core part of modern education, schools are relying more than ever on edtech platforms to support teaching, learning and administration.  

Protecting sensitive information such as student records, staff data and institutional information has become more critical than ever. Data security is a shared responsibility among school districts, edtech vendors and cloud hosting providers. 

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When evaluating new software, schools should prioritise vendors that demonstrate strong security practice, clear data protection policies and a genuine commitment to safeguarding educational data. Partnering with security-focused providers allows them to adopt innovative digital solutions while keeping their data safe. 

Why is security important for schools to consider? 

Nowadays, schools rely heavily on software to manage everything from classroom activities to student records. While these tools offer convenience and efficiency, they also store large amounts of sensitive information about students, staff, families and school operations.

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As more institutions adopt software as a service platforms, more data is stored online, increasing the responsibility of both schools and providers to ensure strong security measures are in place. 

When choosing new software, it’s easy to focus primarily on useful features and how the system can simplify daily tasks. However, schools must also take time to assess the potential cybersecurity risks that come with new technologies.

Conducting proper due diligence and ensuring systems have secure configurations helps protect sensitive data and reduce the risk of breaches or misuse. 

Credible security certifications 

When assessing a vendor’s security practices, look beyond the badges or seals shown on their website. Some certifications may appear official but may not represent verified security standards. 

It’s important to ask entities for detailed documentation and take time to confirm whether the certification comes from a reputable and recognised authority. 

When selecting an edtech vendor, prioritise those with trusted third-party certifications and ensure they have evidence to support their claims. A strong example of a reliable standard is SOC 2 certification, which requires organisations to follow strict controls related to data security, privacy and confidentiality.

Vendors must undergo independent audits regularly to maintain this certification and should be able to provide reports demonstrating their compliance. 

Transparent data privacy policies 

Before adopting any new software, schools need to understand how a vendor collects, stores, manages and shares data. Educational institutions handle large amounts of sensitive personal information, so vendors must provide privacy policies that are transparent, straightforward and easy to understand. 

Educators and administrators in schools should also look for providers that comply with recognised data privacy regulations such as FERPA and HIPAA. Their policies should clearly explain how to protect and handle data, and what procedures to follow in the event of a security breach. 

Ongoing security testing 

A trustworthy vendor should continuously test and improve their security practices.

Conducting regular security audits helps uncover potential vulnerabilities before anyone can exploit them, showing a proactive commitment to staying ahead of evolving threats and protecting sensitive data. 

Disaster recovery and incident management 

Even with robust security, unexpected issues can arise — from data breaches to system failures or natural disasters. The vendor should maintain a clear disaster recovery and incident response plan that quickly restores normal operations, minimises downtime and protects critical data. More are using artificial intelligence to quicken response times and make them more effective. 

Prioritising security in edtech partnerships 

Choosing the right edtech vendor goes beyond functionality — it’s about trust, responsibility and proactive protection.

Vendors that hold certifications, regularly test their systems and maintain robust recovery plans demonstrate a genuine commitment to safeguarding the sensitive data schools handle every day. 

By prioritising security in every step of the selection process, educators and administrators can confidently adopt digital tools that enhance learning while keeping students, staff and institutional data safe.

In today’s digital world, security is essential.