Higher education institutions, K-12 districts, and university research enterprises occupy a complex regulatory position: they hold student records under FERPA, may handle protected health information in clinics and student health programs, and increasingly conduct federal research that brings CUI and export-controlled data onto campus networks. Each compliance domain demands attention, and educational institutions must address all of them simultaneously.
Cleared Systems supports universities, colleges, K-12 districts, and research institutions in building compliance programs that respect academic culture and the operational realities of education while meeting the federal, state, and contractual obligations educational organizations actually face.
Key Compliance Challenges
- FERPA and student record protection: Managing access controls, disclosure logging, and parental/eligible-student rights across SIS, LMS, and the long tail of edtech vendors that touch student data.
- Federal research compliance: Meeting NIST 800-171 and emerging CMMC requirements when faculty receive DoD or other federal research awards involving CUI.
- Export controls on campus: Identifying ITAR/EAR-controlled research, managing deemed-export risk with foreign national students and researchers, and implementing Technology Control Plans.
- Decentralized IT and shadow systems: Achieving institution-wide compliance posture when individual departments, labs, and faculty often operate independent systems outside central IT's visibility.
Regulatory Frameworks
- FERPA (20 USC § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) — Student education records
- HIPAA — For student health centers and academic medical centers
- NIST SP 800-171 / CMMC — For federal research involving CUI
- ITAR / EAR — For export-controlled research
- State student privacy laws — California SOPIPA, NY Education Law 2-d, others
- GLBA Safeguards Rule — For institutions participating in Title IV financial aid
How We Help
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