As education increasingly embraces digital tools in The Netherlands, the imperative for schools to carefully manage and protect their information systems and personal data grows. For primary and secondary education, 2024 marks a year where heightened attention to information security and privacy is essential. This focus is further underscored by the Ministry of Education's announcement that adherence to the Information Security and Privacy (IBP) framework will become mandatory in 2027.
The Information Security and Privacy (IBP Normenkader) framework is a tool for schools in primary and secondary education. There are countless sensitive data in education that need to be protected, such as student records, staff information, and financial data. Implementing IBP standards helps schools protect this data from unauthorized access and cyber threats.
The main objectives of the IBP framework are:
To ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of information.
To minimize risks related to information security.
To promote a proactive culture where improvement in information security is central.
The IBP framework consists of guidelines for information security and privacy in education. The information security framework consists of 15 domains. These standards help protect schools from digital threats both internal and external. The privacy framework consists of 7 domains. Due to digitization in education, privacy risks have increased, partly due to the use of student tracking systems and apps.
For each domain, a step-by-step plan describes how schools can create a secure digital environment for both students and staff. Each plan outlines the minimum requirements they must meet for that domain.
Identity Management is a crucial element of information security as it forms the foundation for digitally safe education. Without effective Identity Management systems, schools in primary and secondary education cannot meet the requirements of the IBP standards. Schools often lack the tools to manage and control access to sensitive information effectively.
Identity Management, a component of Identity and Access Management, is a security strategy to manage and control digital identities. This allows users to access necessary systems within an organization. Identity Management ensures that the right people have access to the right information at the right time, helping to minimize the risk of, for example, data breaches.
IBP Primary and Secondary Education (IBP FO) sets specific requirements (domain 10) for Identity Management, such as:
Strict authentication and authorization mechanisms.
Regular audits and checks of access rights.
Documentation and reporting of all access management activities.
Authentication is the process of verifying the identity of a user before granting access. This can be done through passwords, multi-factor authentication, or other methods.
Authorization determines which resources a specific user can access. This involves assigning the correct roles and rights to authenticated users.
Auditing access management ensures that there is insight into who has access to specific systems and when. Gaining this insight helps prevent unauthorized access and ensures compliance with security standards.
Identity Governance includes policies and procedures for managing digital identities and access within an organization. It helps ensure compliance and minimize security risks.