How Your Open-Source LMS Protects Student Data

Protecting student data isn’t just a best practice for higher education institutions: In many cases, it’s the law. Institutions are bound by FERPA in the United States and GDPR in the European Union to safeguard personally identifiable information, and nations across the globe have similar data protection regulations.

The potential legal consequences of violating one of these regulations mean that higher education institutions need to choose learning solutions that prioritize security, not just for their students’ protection but for the institution’s as well.

What Is an Open-Source LMS?

An open-source LMS is an attractive option for many colleges and universities. The software’s flexibility—and often more affordable price point—allows institutions to give learners excellent experiences, but it’s important to choose a platform with robust security features and certifications.

Simply put, an open-source LMS is a learning platform built on code that’s available to the public. Anyone can access, use, and modify the software’s source code to fit their needs, making a learning platform like Open LMS a flexible option for many universities and organizations. Since anyone can change the code, you have nearly limitless options for designing accessible learning environments that best meet your learners’ and instructors’ unique needs.

In contrast, closed-source software refers to software code that is owned by an individual or organization and cannot be accessed, altered, or redistributed freely. An LMS built on closed-source software is typically more expensive to develop and maintain than open-source alternatives because users need valid licenses and authentication to access these platforms.

There’s much less flexibility with these systems since the code can’t be modified by anyone other than its owner. This limits the configurability and accessibility of the LMS.

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How Does an Open-Source Learning Platform Keep Your Data Secure?

It’s easy to assume that a closed-source LMS is inherently more secure than open-source alternatives since only the owners can access the code, but it’s not that simple. When a limited number of people have access to the LMS’s code, fewer people are able to detect and remedy software malfunctions that could lead to major security risks.

The opposite is true for open-sourced systems. Anyone can access the code at any time, meaning many more people are available to discover, report, and correct software malfunctions if they arise. This in turn leads to quicker fixes that mitigate risks and keep sensitive information secure.

Giving everyone access to the LMS’s source code does beg the question: how do eLearning providers ensure data integrity when anyone can modify the software their platforms are built on? Your vendor should have multiple layers of protection in place that ensure personal identifiable information and other sensitive data won’t fall into the wrong hands. An open-source LMS can protect your data with safeguards like:

• Encrypted data wherever possible so information can only be accessed by authorized systems.
• Native authentication controls so only users with the proper credentials can access the learning platform.
• Frequent data backups that allow you to restore your information if it’s accidentally modified or deleted.
• Robust detection technology to stop potential hackers from accessing your sensitive information.

Your LMS vendor’s hosting partner also plays a critical role in securing your data. The hosting partner’s job is to help websites and other software services like your LMS run smoothly by providing data storage and protection, among other things. A hosting partner like Amazon Web Services (AWS) has nearly limitless resources to recover your essential information in the event of an outage. When your open-source LMS is hosted by a partner like AWS, your learner data will never leave its hosting region unless you specifically request to move it, giving you peace of mind and unrivaled protection.

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What Is ISO 27001 Certification (And Why Is It Important?)

ISO 27001 is an international data security standard applicable to all markets and locations. LMS vendors with ISO 27001 certification—including Open LMS, which announced certification in January 2024—understand the importance of data security and integrity. These LMS providers have created and implemented real business controls and policies to support the protection of their clients’ data. Organizations earn this certification after being evaluated by independent auditors and demonstrating that their processes align with international standards.

An open-source LMS with ISO 27001 certification has proven itself to have advanced data integrity, confidentiality, and availability. These platforms also have an increased resilience to cyber attacks and are more likely to be prepared for new threats if they arise. The certification is one more assurance that your user information stays protected and your institution stays compliant with data protection laws and regulations.

What Is SOC 2 Compliance (And Why Is It Important?)

According to the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants, SOC 2 is “a report on controls at a service organization relevant to security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, or privacy.” This report is created by auditors who examine the systems and processes “relevant to security, availability, and processing integrity.”

Open LMS submitted to a rigorous, third-party audit of its systems and processes and can now show the report as evidence of our compliance with SOC 2 standards and practices. By independently being verified to be compliant with SOC 2, you can be assured that we uphold the highest standards for security, confidentiality, and privacy.

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