Data Privacy
What is it? Why Does it Matter? Why Should I Care?
Data Privacy is focused on the use and governance of personal data such as ensuring that personal information is being collected, shared and used in appropriate ways.
Data Privacy is an important topic because most people are connected to the Internet and use it for everything – searching, purchasing, social interactions, etc. However, not too many people realize the great deal of personal information that is being collected and shared when they use the internet. The data can be stored forever and personal information can be used for both beneficial and unwelcome ways.
In the United States, consumer protection laws are weak or non-existent. This means that many companies and organizations have the ability to monitor their users’ personal behavior and sell the data. This means that it is very important that consumers understand the value of their personal data.
What is the difference between privacy and security?
The difference between privacy and security can be best described as a window. You can put a lock and bars on a window to keep someone from getting in and this still allows you to look out of the window and others to look in. This is security. Others can’t get the stuff in your house but they can easily know what is there because you put it in view of the window.
Preventing others from looking into the window by putting a curtain or a one-way filter on your window is privacy. This also provides some level of security because others are not able to tell what is in your house.
Security is about maintaining information’s confidentiality, integrity, and availability.
Privacy is about how data is collected, stored, transmitted, and destroyed.
What practices are utilized to ensure data privacy and security in GCPS?
Trusted Learning Environment
The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) has recently recognized our district’s outstanding Classroom and Professional Development practices by rewarding us with two of five Trusted Learning Environment (TLE) seals. Earning the CoSN TLE Mini Seal is an important step in our journey. It provides us with a framework that will be used to continuously measure and improve our privacy efforts.
Our Blueprint for the Future defines our strategic priorities in the following four areas: Empathy, Equity, Effectiveness and Excellence which demonstrates transcendence in our work and commitment to protecting the privacy of our data.
Press Release: Georgia’s Largest School District Awarded CoSN Trusted Learning Environment Mini Seals for Student Data Privacy Practices
TrustED Apps
Gwinnett County Public Schools has earned multiple distinctions from 1EdTech® regarding our data privacy and security practices.
We are OneRoster® certified which recognizes our ability to securely exchange data between teaching and learning systems and tools.
We have also earned the TrustEd AppsTM seal which signifies that we possess the essential skills required to vet applications for data privacy and security.
Click here to learn more about the 1EdTech data privacy and security programs.