magine you are an Information Security consultant for a small college registrar’s office consisting of the registrar and two (2) assistant registrars, two (2) student workers, and one (1) receptionist. The office is physically located near several other office spaces. The assistant registrars utilize mobile devices over a wireless network to access student records, with the electronic student records being stored on a server located in the building. Additionally, each registrar’s office has a desktop computer that utilizes a wired network to access the server and electronic student records. The receptionist station has a desktop computer that is used to schedule appointments, but cannot access student records. In 1974, Congress enacted the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to help protect the integrity of student records. The college has hired you to ensure technical safeguards are appropriately designed to preserve the integrity of the student records maintained in the registrar’s office. Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you: Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Purchase the answer to view it Purchase the answer to view it Purchase the answer to view it

Title: Designing Technical Safeguards for Protecting Student Records in a Small College Registrar’s Office

Introduction:
Ensuring the integrity and security of student records is of paramount importance in maintaining compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). As an Information Security consultant for a small college registrar’s office, it is essential to design and implement appropriate technical safeguards to protect the integrity of student records. This paper will outline the necessary steps and considerations for safeguarding student records, focusing on mobile device security, wireless network security, and server security within the registrar’s office.

Mobile Device Security:
Mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets, are commonly used by the assistant registrars to access student records. It is crucial to implement robust security measures to protect these devices from unauthorized access and data breaches. Firstly, a strict policy should be established mandating the use of strong, unique passwords or biometric authentication mechanisms on the mobile devices. This policy should also enforce regular password changes and prohibit the sharing of passwords.

Furthermore, it is recommended to implement additional layers of security, such as two-factor authentication, to ensure that only authorized users can access the student records. The use of encryption to protect the data stored on the mobile devices is also essential. This can be achieved by enabling device encryption or using encrypted file systems to safeguard the student records in case of device loss or theft.

Wireless Network Security:
The wireless network used by the assistant registrars to access student records should be properly secured to prevent unauthorized access and data interception. Firstly, a strong encryption protocol, such as WPA2-Enterprise, should be implemented to protect the wireless network from eavesdropping and unauthorized access. Additionally, a robust network access control mechanism, such as 802.1X authentication, should be in place to ensure that only authorized devices can connect to the network.

Regular monitoring and auditing of the wireless network should also be conducted to identify any potential security vulnerabilities or suspicious activities. This can involve monitoring network traffic, analyzing logs, and utilizing intrusion detection systems to detect and prevent any unauthorized access attempts or network breaches.

Server Security:
The electronic student records are stored on a server located within the registrar’s office. Ensuring the security and integrity of this server is crucial to protect the student records from unauthorized access, tampering, and data loss. Firstly, the server should be physically secured in a restricted-access area to prevent physical theft or tampering. Access to the server room should be limited to authorized personnel only, and video surveillance should be implemented to monitor any unauthorized access attempts.

To protect the data stored on the server, it is recommended to implement robust access controls. This involves assigning different levels of access privileges to users based on their roles and responsibilities. The principle of least privilege should be followed, ensuring that users have access only to the data necessary for their job functions. Additionally, regular backups of the student records should be performed to protect against data loss in the event of hardware failure or natural disasters.

Conclusion:
Safeguarding student records in the registrar’s office requires the implementation of robust technical safeguards. By implementing proper mobile device security measures, securing the wireless network, and ensuring server security, the integrity of student records can be preserved in compliance with FERPA regulations. Regular monitoring and auditing should also be conducted to identify and mitigate any security vulnerabilities or threats. By following these recommendations, the registrar’s office can effectively protect student records and maintain the trust and confidentiality of student information.