Beyond Compliance: Why Privacy-First EdTech Matters More Than Ever

In an era where educational institutions face an average of 2,500 cyber attacks per week and students increasingly rely on digital tools to succeed, privacy and security can no longer be afterthoughts rather they must be part of foundation. At VitalSource, we don’t just meet compliance standards. We help set them. 

We recently completed a rigorous, year-long SOC 2 Type II audit, one of the most stringent benchmarks in data security and operational excellence. While we are incredibly proud of that effort and achievement, we also know our commitment needs to go further than certifications, and it does. Privacy is built into the DNA of our platforms, from zero PII integration options to secure, encrypted data environments and user-controlled data sharing. This isn’t just a checklist exercise; it’s our core value system. 

But it begs the question, how does this help our partners? 

Institutions face a tightening regulatory landscape — balancing FERPA, GDPR, COPPA, and now AI usage guidelines — all while trying to innovate and keep students safe. That’s where choosing the right partner matters. Our privacy-by-design approach means: 

• Fewer security incidents
   - SOC II compliance assures your students’ data is protected from breach or misuse. 

• Operational simplicity - Pre-vetted tools aligned with education-specific laws reduce admin overhead. 

• Trust at every touchpoint - Students, educators, and vendors can use our tools without the uncertainty of opaque data practices. 

How to Vet for Security 

We know this is a lot to juggle but by asking a few important, and hard, questions, you can know if your vendor is meeting the standards you need. Start by asking: 

• Can this platform operate without collecting PII? 

• Are security certifications like SOC 2 Type II or ISO 27001 in place? 

• Is user data encrypted both at rest and in transit? 

• Do users control their data preferences and access? 

Your students deserve the best protection and your institution deserves a partner committed to building for the long term.

Learn more about what SOC II compliance means for you. For more helpful info to vet your edtech privacy and security, download the Privacy & Security Checklist to assess your current tools.