FERPA
Released: March 27, 2024
Level: Beginner
Certificate: Finish lessons and pass the quiz with 70%
Course Description:
Welcome to Part 1 of our comprehensive course on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). FERPA is a federal law designed to protect the privacy and security of student educational records. In this module, we'll delve into the fundamental aspects of FERPA and its significance in the realm of cybersecurity.
Module 1: Introduction to FERPA In this module, we'll explore the core principles of FERPA, including the rights it grants to parents and students regarding educational records. We'll discuss the transfer of data rights when students reach the age of 18 and examine the implications of FERPA for data protection in educational institutions.
Module 2: FERPA and Cybersecurity This module focuses on the intersection of FERPA and cybersecurity. We'll analyze the mandates of FERPA regarding data protection and the measures educational institutions must implement to safeguard student records. Topics include data encryption and cybersecurity best practices for compliance with FERPA.
Module 3: Risks and Challenges Despite its importance, FERPA presents certain risks and challenges for educational institutions. In this module, we'll discuss the complexity of FERPA compliance, the risk of data breaches, and the challenges of balancing privacy with access to student records.
Module 4: Mitigating Risks and Compliance Strategies To mitigate the risks associated with FERPA and ensure compliance, institutions must implement effective strategies. This module covers comprehensive training and awareness programs, data classification, clear policies and procedures, and the role of designated compliance officers.
Module 5: Remediation for FERPA Violations In the unfortunate event of FERPA violations, remediation is essential. This module outlines remediation strategies, including education and training, policy review and revision, data security enhancements, data breach response protocols, and ensuring proper consent and authorization for record releases.

Dr Zoran Mitrovic is an ICT professional and senior academic with a career spanning over 40 years. He had gained extensive experience in consulting, lecturing, and research, making him a leading figure in his field. Dr Mitrovic had specialized in a range of areas, including Information Systems Management, Cybersecurity Management, 4IR technologies, e-Skills/e-Competences development, and e-Government. As one of the Directors at the Mitrovic Development and Research Institute (MDRI), Dr Mitrovic is involved in cutting-edge research and consulting projects, working with a number of organizations in South Africa and overseas. He is also affiliated with several universities, where he shares his knowledge and expertise with students and researchers alike.
His a registered ICT expert of the European Union EC Research Executive Agency. Dr Mitrovic's expertise in Cybersecurity Management is particularly noteworthy. He is a leading authority on organizational strategies and policies, board concerns, cybersecurity risk management, awareness campaigns, insider threats, capacity-building programmes, national strategies and policies, and cybersecurity culture. His insights were invaluable in helping organizations protect themselves from cyber threats and develop a cybersecurity culture that was embedded in their operations.
Dr Mitrovic is also passionate about the role of 4IR technologies in organizational and societal advancement. He believed that these technologies hold tremendous potential for transforming industries and societies, so he works on promoting their adoption and implementation. One of Dr Mitrovic's most significant contributions is in the area of e-Skills/e-Competences development. He was a firm believer in the power of education and training to empower individuals and communities, and he played a key role in developing national and organizational e-Skills/e-Competences development strategies.
Dr Mitrovic is always willing to share his insights with a wider audience. He had authored numerous academic and popular articles, with his popular articles on various cybersecurity topics aimed at non-technical businesspeople and the wider public. Through his writing and his work, Dr Mitrovic is making a significant contribution to advancing the field of ICT and helping organizations and societies thrive in the digital age.
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What is StormWarning! ?
StormWarning! is a Cybersecurity consultancy. Our experienced team of cybersecurity experts provide cybersecurity assessments, cybersecurity training and cybersecurity solutions to organisations that have a high risk public profile. StormWarning! is your organisation's best defense against the ever growing cascade of innovative security threats raining down on all organisations with a public digital footprint.
What is Cybersecurity?
Cybersecurity is the practice of protecting critical systems and sensitive information from digital attacks. Also known as information technology (IT) security, cybersecurity measures are designed to combat threats against networked systems and applications, whether those threats originate from inside or outside of an organization. StormWarning! is constantly researching the latest cybersecurity threats and building innovative measures to prevent them.
NIST Audit & Targeted Cyber-Risk Training
StormWarning! offers comprehensive Cybersecurity Consulting, with a focus on its Automated Online Auditing Solutions, primarily the NIST CSF Readiness Audit. This audit is prioritized as its results directly inform the organization's needs for targeted cybersecurity training. By identifying specific gaps in risk management knowledge, they deliver precise education via Short Courses—like Cybersecurity Risk Management or Understanding Cybersecurity GRC—to ensure staff and leadership close deficiencies and maintain compliance.
Their full suite of services also includes robust Risk Management planning, development of essential Policies, impactful Cybersecurity Awareness Campaigns, and a security monitoring/incident response platform, StormFront. Additionally, we offer a resource library of Cybersecurity Books authored by our esteemed associate Dr. Zoran Mitrovic.