FERPA
U.S. federal regulation protecting student education records privacy
CIS Controls
Prioritized cybersecurity framework of 18 controls
Quick Verdict
FERPA mandates privacy protections for U.S. student records, enforced via funding loss. CIS Controls offer voluntary cybersecurity best practices for all organizations, reducing breach risks through prioritized safeguards. Schools adopt both for compliance and resilience.
FERPA
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
Key Features
- 45-day right to inspect and review education records
- Prior written consent required for PII disclosures
- Expansive PII definition includes linkable indirect identifiers
- Enumerated exceptions for school officials and emergencies
- Mandatory recordkeeping of all PII requests and disclosures
CIS Controls
CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1
Key Features
- 18 prioritized controls with 153 actionable safeguards
- Implementation Groups IG1-IG3 for scalability
- Mappings to NIST CSF, ISO 27001, HIPAA
- Free Benchmarks and Navigator tools
- Asset inventory and vulnerability focus
Detailed Analysis
A comprehensive look at the specific requirements, scope, and impact of each standard.
FERPA Details
What It Is
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974), codified at 20 U.S.C. § 1232g and implemented via 34 CFR Part 99, is a U.S. federal regulation. It safeguards privacy of education records and PII for institutions receiving federal education funds. Adopts a rights-based governance model with consent rules, exceptions, and operational timelines like 45-day access.
Key Components
- Core rights: inspect/review records, amend inaccuracies, consent to disclosures.
- Definitions: broad education records, expansive PII (direct/indirect/linkable identifiers), directory information.
- Disclosure rules: general consent prohibition plus 15+ exceptions (school officials, emergencies, audits).
- Obligations: annual notices, disclosure logs, hearings. No formal certification; DOE complaint/enforcement model.
Why Organizations Use It
Mandatory for federally funded K-12/postsecondary institutions to retain funding eligibility. Mitigates breach risks, builds family trust, enables compliant edtech/vendor use. Supports data-driven innovation while ensuring accountability.
Implementation Overview
Phased program: governance setup, data inventory/classification, policy/training, RBAC/tech controls, vendor DPAs, auditing. Applies institution-wide; focuses on operational maturity over certification.
CIS Controls Details
What It Is
CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1 is a community-driven, prescriptive cybersecurity framework of prioritized best practices to reduce attack surfaces and enhance resilience. It applies to all industries and sizes, using Implementation Groups (IG1-IG3) for risk-based, scalable adoption.
Key Components
- 18 Controls with 153 actionable Safeguards covering asset management to penetration testing.
- IG1 (56 Safeguards) for basic hygiene; IG2/IG3 for advanced needs.
- Built on real-world attack data; maps to NIST, ISO 27001, HIPAA.
- No formal certification; self-assessed compliance.
Why Organizations Use It
- Mitigates 85% common attacks, cuts breach costs.
- Eases multi-framework compliance, supports insurance discounts.
- Builds trust, operational efficiency, competitive edge.
Implementation Overview
- Phased: governance, discovery, foundational controls, expansion, assurance.
- Automate inventories, patching; 9-18 months for mid-sized to IG2.
- All sizes/industries; free tools like Benchmarks, Navigator aid rollout. (178 words)
Key Differences
| Aspect | FERPA | CIS Controls |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Student education records privacy | Comprehensive cybersecurity practices |
| Industry | U.S. education institutions | All industries worldwide |
| Nature | Mandatory U.S. federal regulation | Voluntary cybersecurity framework |
| Testing | Internal audits and DOE complaints | Self-assessments and pen testing |
| Penalties | Federal funding withholding | No legal penalties |
Scope
Industry
Nature
Testing
Penalties
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about FERPA and CIS Controls
FERPA FAQ
CIS Controls FAQ
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