Introduction
In today’s digital age, schools are increasingly turning to engagement platforms like Wavelength to connect with their alumni. These platforms offer a range of benefits, from fostering a sense of community among alumni to facilitating networking opportunities. However, with the growing concerns around data privacy and security, schools need reassurance that their alumni’s data is protected. In this blog post, we will explore how Wavelength, the leading engagement platform, ensures the privacy and security of alumni data.
How Wavelength Protects Data
One of the foremost concerns schools have when it comes to using platforms like Wavelength is the security of their data. Wavelength is committed to safeguarding the privacy of alumni data. First, you need to know how Wavelength finds updated alumni data outside of what the school provides upon launch.
To achieve this, Wavelength utilizes advanced algorithms to gather publicly available information from various sources, such as social channels. It’s essential to note that all the data Wavelength aggregates is voluntarily shared by individuals. In other words, the information is already accessible in the public domain. Wavelength acts as the facilitator, automating the process of data collection and presenting it on their platform.
Data Privacy for Alumni
Maintaining the privacy of alumni data on the Wavelength platform is a top priority. Only alumni from a specific school community have access to the platform, either by invitation or by request, approved by the school’s administrators. By default, Wavelength sets the visibility of emails, while other contact information remains hidden. However, alumni have the freedom to modify their privacy settings upon logging into the platform and can choose to make their contact information more or less visible based on their preferences.
Some schools may opt to start with complete privacy, hiding all contact information of alumni. This approach allows alumni to retain control over their personal information and gradually decide whether they wish to share more details with the community. Ultimately, the control lies with the individual alumni and administrators, ensuring a balance between privacy and engagement.
Control Over Data Privacy
Wavelength understands the importance of giving alumni complete control over their data privacy. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Upon logging into the platform, alumni can customize their privacy settings, tailoring their experience to suit their comfort level. Whether it’s choosing to display their email or adjusting visibility preferences, Wavelength empowers alumni to make informed decisions about their data.
Administrators and Data Access
To ensure the privacy and security of alumni data, Wavelength restricts data access to administrators only. This means that mass emailing or exporting data from the platform is solely within the purview of authorized administrators. In essence, the platform acts as a digitized yearbook, allowing alumni to interact and create a social space without compromising their privacy. This controlled environment fosters a sense of security and encourages meaningful connections within the alumni community.
Data Privacy of Minors
Alumni networks may include individuals under the age of 18 who are still attending K-12 schools. Recognizing this, Wavelength offers three solutions to protect the data privacy of minors, working closely with schools to implement the appropriate structure.
One approach is selective visibility of contact information. Schools can choose to hide the contact information of specific class years, ensuring that minors’ details remain protected. Alumni can have their names visible, affording recognition within the community. Upon reaching adulthood, their contact information becomes accessible, facilitating a seamless transition into the full alumni network.
Another approach is providing a private young alumni portal. This portal specifically caters to individuals under 18 years old and allows young alumni, parents, and school faculty to connect. When these individuals reach the age of 18, they seamlessly transition into the full community, ensuring their privacy while maintaining connections established during their formative years.
Alternatively, schools may opt to add minors to the platform after they turn 18. While this approach allows for easy integration into the alumni network, it also comes with the challenge of re-engaging with individuals who have missed out on previous years of communication. Each school can select the solution that best aligns with their specific needs and goals.
Managing Data Breaches
Data breaches are an unfortunate reality in today’s world, and Wavelength takes this matter seriously. Wavelength maintains strict policies and remains committed to tracking best practices in data security across the EdTech industry and beyond.
Wavelength employs robust firewalls and data encryption to prevent unauthorized access to alumni data. Even if a breach were to occur, the encrypted nature of the data ensures that it remains unreadable and inaccessible. It’s worth noting that Wavelength does not store sensitive information like credit card details or social security numbers. This policy significantly reduces the potential impact of a data breach and reinforces the privacy and security of alumni data.
Protocols and Best Practices
Wavelength prioritizes data privacy and security by adhering to strict protocols and best practices. They continuously research and stay ahead of evolving cloud-based services’ security to ensure their platform remains resilient against potential threats. By actively monitoring advancements in data security, Wavelength can swiftly mitigate risks and maintain the trust of both schools and alumni.
In conclusion, Wavelength’s commitment to data privacy and security sets the gold standard for alumni engagement platforms. With their meticulous approach to data gathering, customizable privacy settings, and stringent data breach management, schools can confidently adopt Wavelength as a secure platform for connecting with their alumni networks. By prioritizing privacy, Wavelength facilitates meaningful engagement while ensuring the safety and integrity of alumni data.