All About

Introduction

As schools across Indiana increasingly rely on digital tools to deliver instruction, manage operations, and store sensitive information, the importance of strong data governance and cybersecurity practices has grown significantly. The Indiana Department of Education (IN DOE) recognizes that K–12 institutions face an evolving landscape of cyber threats—from ransomware attacks to unauthorized access attempts—that can disrupt learning, compromise personal information, and create long-lasting institutional challenges. To address these risks, the IN DOE has developed comprehensive Data Governance & Cybersecurity Guidelines that outline how schools must protect student information and secure their digital environments.

These guidelines establish consistent, statewide expectations that help school districts safeguard data, reduce vulnerabilities, and ensure compliance with Indiana state laws and federal regulations. They also support districts as they implement cybersecurity strategies, manage vendor relationships, and respond to incidents. This article provides a clear, SEO-optimized overview of the IN DOE’s data governance and cybersecurity guidance, breaking down what it covers, why it matters, and how Indiana schools can effectively implement it.

What Are the IN DOE Data Governance & Cybersecurity Guidelines?

The Indiana Department of Education’s Data Governance & Cybersecurity Guidelines are a set of statewide standards designed to help K–12 schools protect sensitive data and secure digital systems. These guidelines reflect best practices from national cybersecurity frameworks, federal student privacy laws, and state-level requirements. They apply to all Indiana public-school corporations, charter schools, and educational agencies that manage student information or connect to state educational systems.

The guidelines focus on two major areas:

1. Data Governance: How schools collect, store, share, and oversee student and employee information.
2. Cybersecurity: How schools protect digital systems, prevent breaches, train staff, and respond to cyber incidents.

Although the guidelines are comprehensive, they are also flexible enough to accommodate schools of different sizes, technical capacities, and resource levels.

Why IN DOE Established These Guidelines

Indiana schools face a growing number of cyber threats each year. Attacks on K–12 systems have become more sophisticated and more frequent, targeting everything from student information systems to transportation software. At the same time, the expansion of digital learning tools, third-party educational platforms, and cloud-based services has created new challenges related to privacy, access control, and data management.

The IN DOE Guidelines were created to give districts a structured approach to confronting these challenges. By outlining best practices and expectations, the state ensures that all Indiana schools have a strong baseline for protecting student information and managing cyber risk. The guidelines also help districts comply with federal laws like FERPA and COPPA while preparing them to meet state-level cybersecurity requirements, including those introduced through Indiana legislation.

Key Areas Covered by the IN DOE Guidelines

1. Data Governance Structures

The guidelines call for districts to develop formal data governance frameworks that outline roles, responsibilities, and decision-making processes related to data management. This includes identifying data stewards, establishing oversight committees, and adopting clear policies for how data is collected, accessed, and maintained. Strong governance frameworks help districts ensure accountability and prevent unauthorized or inappropriate data practices.

2. Data Classification & Access Controls

Schools must categorize their data according to sensitivity and establish rules for who may access different types of information. For example, personally identifiable information (PII) must be heavily restricted, while certain types of operational data may require broader access. Access privileges should be issued based on job responsibilities and monitored regularly to prevent misuse.

3. Secure Data Storage & Transfer

The IN DOE Guidelines emphasize the use of secure methods for storing and transmitting student information. This includes encryption, secure file-sharing protocols, and rules governing storage locations (such as on-premises servers or approved cloud environments). Districts must also maintain up-to-date inventories of where data is stored at all times.

4. Training & Human Risk Mitigation

Human error is the leading cause of school-related data breaches. The guidelines require staff to receive recurring cybersecurity and data privacy training that teaches them how to recognize phishing attempts, secure their devices, manage passwords, and report suspicious activity. Training must extend to any staff member with access to digital systems or sensitive information.

5. Cybersecurity Framework Adoption

The IN DOE encourages districts to adopt national cybersecurity frameworks, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework or CIS Controls. These frameworks provide structured approaches for identifying risks, preventing attacks, detecting threats, responding to incidents, and recovering from disruptions. Adoption ensures consistency and measurable progress across Indiana districts.

6. Vendor & Third-Party Management

Schools must evaluate and approve all third-party educational tools and vendors that access student information. This includes reviewing privacy policies, signing data-sharing agreements, and requiring vendors to follow stringent security practices. The guidelines help schools eliminate “rogue apps” and ensure that approved tools meet state standards.

7. Incident Response & Breach Reporting

Every district must have an incident response plan that outlines how staff should react to cybersecurity events. The plan must describe communication procedures, containment strategies, recovery protocols, and reporting requirements. If a breach affects student information, districts must follow IN DOE guidelines for notification and documentation.

8. Data Retention & Destruction Policies

Districts must create clear timelines for how long different types of data are stored and how they are securely destroyed when no longer needed. Proper retention practices reduce risk, improve compliance, and ensure that outdated or unnecessary information does not remain vulnerable to attacks.

How These Guidelines Impact Indiana Schools

The IN DOE Guidelines require districts to adopt more proactive cyber practices. This often means upgrading infrastructure, deploying new security tools, establishing documented procedures, and ensuring staff participation in cybersecurity awareness training. Smaller districts may face resource limitations, but the guidelines provide a roadmap to help them build capacity over time.

Administrators must take a leadership role in compliance, ensuring that policies are implemented consistently and that cybersecurity considerations are built into decision-making processes. Teachers and support staff must adopt more secure digital behaviors, particularly as they use classroom apps, online communication tools, and student management platforms. Parents benefit from greater transparency, increased protection of student information, and stronger district accountability.

Building a Stronger Data Governance Culture

Effective data governance and cybersecurity extend far beyond technology. They require a cultural shift within schools. Districts must encourage responsible digital practices at every level and ensure that privacy and security remain ongoing priorities. The IN DOE Guidelines emphasize collaboration among IT staff, administrators, educators, and vendors to reduce risks and maintain trust.

Schools that adopt these guidelines effectively position themselves to protect student data, prevent disruption, and maintain compliance with both state and federal regulations. As cyber threats continue to evolve, the guidelines help districts build long-term resilience and adaptability.

Conclusion

The Indiana Department of Education’s Data Governance & Cybersecurity Guidelines provide a crucial framework for protecting student information, strengthening school security systems, and supporting responsible digital learning. As cyber threats continue to rise, these guidelines help Indiana’s schools adopt consistent, effective practices that reduce risk and ensure operational continuity. Districts that embrace this guidance will be better prepared to safeguard sensitive information, respond to incidents, and create safe learning environments for students and staff.