Data Privacy Week (January 26 – 30, 2026 ) is an international initiative dedicated to raising awareness about data privacy and empowering individuals and organizations to take greater control of their personal and institutional data. This year’s theme, Take Control of Your Data, is especially relevant for colleges and universities that manage large volumes of sensitive student, faculty, and staff information. 

In higher education, data privacy is not just a technical issue — it is a matter of institutional trust, regulatory compliance, and ethical responsibility. From student academic records and financial information to research data and learning management systems, safeguarding data is essential to protecting your campus community. 

The primary goal of Data Privacy Week is to spread awareness about online privacy among individuals and organizations. The goal is twofold: to help citizens understand that they have the power to manage their data and to help organizations understand why it is important that they respect their users’ data.    

Every time you browse the web, use an app, or log into a service, you create a trail of data. That might include your purchases, browsing habits, location, or even health metrics tracked by a smartwatch. Sometimes, highly sensitive data like identification numbers, health information, or financial details can be collected as well. Your data is valuable, and you deserve to treat it that way. 

Why Data Privacy Matters in Higher Education 

Every interaction with institutional systems — whether through a Student Information System (SIS), Learning Management System (LMS), HR platform, or reporting environment — generates data. This data may include: 

• Personally identifiable information (PII) 
• Academic records protected by FERPA 
• Financial and payroll data 
• Health and accessibility information 
• Behavioral and usage analytics 

Protecting this information is critical to maintaining student trust, meeting compliance obligations, and reducing institutional risk. 

Understanding the Privacy–Convenience Trade-Off 

Modern applications and services often request access to personal or institutional data in exchange for convenience and functionality. Institutions and individuals alike should evaluate: 

• What data is being collected 
• Why it is being collected 
• How it is being used 
• Who it is shared with 

Being intentional about these decisions helps ensure that privacy is not sacrificed unnecessarily. 

Practical Steps to Strengthen Data Privacy 

Whether you are an IT leader, administrator, faculty member, or staff user, these simple steps can help strengthen your privacy posture: 

• Review and Adjust Privacy Settings: Take time to review privacy and security settings across devices, applications, and online services. These controls are often easy to access and can significantly limit unnecessary data sharing.
• Follow Core Cybersecurity Best Practices: Data privacy and cybersecurity go hand in hand. We recommend following these foundational practices: 
  • Use long, unique passwords — ideally with a password manager 
  • Enable multifactor authentication (MFA) wherever available 
  • Keep devices, software, and applications up to date 
  • Remain alert for phishing and social engineering attempts 

Evisions’ Commitment to Data Privacy 

At Evisions, data privacy and security are integral to how we support higher education institutions. We recognize the responsibility that comes with helping institutions access, analyze, and report on critical data. 

Our approach emphasizes: 

• Secure system design 
• Responsible data handling practices 
• Support for compliance and governance needs 
• Ongoing education and awareness 

Protecting institutional and student data is a shared responsibility, and we are committed to being a trusted partner in that effort. 

Curious about Evisions’ Privacy Policy? Click here to read the Evisions Privacy Policy here!

Helpful Resources for Data Privacy Week 

At Evisions, we believe protecting institutional and student data is a shared responsibility across higher education.  In recognition of Data Privacy Week,  we are sharing resources links from trusted organizations, including the National Cybersecurity Alliance Group, the U.S. Department of Education and Educause. 

National Cybersecurity Alliance: 

• Manage Your Privacy Settings: Want to view or change your privacy/security settings, but don’t know where to find them? Use these direct links to update your privacy settings on popular devices and online services.  

• Take Control of Your Data: Follow these steps to better manage your personal information and make informed decisions about who receives your data. 

• Respect Privacy: Respecting consumers’ privacy is a smart strategy for inspiring trust and enhancing reputation and growth in your business. 

• Become a Champion: Champions represent those dedicated to empowering individuals and encouraging businesses to respect privacy, safeguard data and enable trust.  

Department of Education (ED): 

• Student Privacy Spooky Stories (PTAC Webinar): Join the U.S. Department of Education’s Privacy Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) on January 28 (Privacy Day) for a live webinar exploring real-world student data privacy incidents and practical steps to strengthen institutional protections.  2pm – 3pm ET, for Student Privacy Spooky Stories. 

• Cybersecurity Knowledge Flashcard: A collection of Flashcard questions from US Department of Education about Cybersecurity.  

Educause: 

• Cybersecurity & Privacy awareness Campaigns: To make it easy for you to raise awareness about best practices for information security and data privacy, you’ll find ready-made content links that you can utilize year-round, as well as during Cybersecurity Aware ness Month each October and Data Privacy Week in January 

Data Privacy Week is an opportunity for higher education institutions to reaffirm their commitment to protecting student and institutional data. By leveraging trusted resources and reinforcing best practices, campuses can strengthen trust, reduce risk, and support a more secure digital learning environment. Shaping the future of education through technology, one conversation at a time!