Data Classification in Education: Enforce Data Security Policy and Protect Personal Identifiable Information (PII)

Hardly a day goes by without a media report about a data breach that exposes the personally identifiable information (PII) of individuals. While much of the news regarding data breaches focuses on the harm to affected individuals, data breaches also harm the organization experiencing the breach.

Potential direct financial costs of a data breach include legal representation, fines (depending on the nature of the breach) and the expense of notifying affected individuals. Organizations also face losses in reputation and consumer confidence. Particularly important for higher education institutions are the reputational consequences, which could result in a loss of alumni donations and even a reduction in the number of students choosing to apply to or attend the institution.