How Data Protection for Education Impacts Student Enrollment Decisions

Over 66% of higher education institutions worldwide reported being hit by ransomware attacks in 2024. Let that number sink in.

As AI-powered student communication and sensitive data collection increase, institutions need to prioritize information security not only to meet compliance requirements and strengthen data protection but to foster trust with prospective students and their families.

During enrollment, institutions collect large amounts of personal data, raising immediate concerns among prospects about how that information is protected.

Unfortunately, despite their commitment to protecting students’ data, many colleges and universities still rely on fragmented communication systems, which increase the risk of security breaches and privacy violations.

It’s time for institutions to rethink cybersecurity in higher education and recognize it for what it truly is: a crucial part of their recruitment strategy.

The good news is that secure, compliant Conversation Intelligence solutions can help campus teams scale personalized student messaging without compromising data privacy.

Why is Student Privacy Important?

Student privacy isn’t a compliance box to tick. If higher education institutions want to earn students’ trust and protect their reputation, they must follow secure communication and responsible data practices from the very first interactions.

When prospective students feel confident their data is protected, they’re more likely to engage with counselors, complete the application process on time, and enroll. 

Who is the Regulator for Data Protection in Education?

As the federal law that protects the privacy of student data in the United States, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) sets the baseline for how institutions must handle and share student information with third parties such as CRM or AI-driven messaging tools.

Under FERPA, student data includes everything from academic records and personally identifiable information (PII) to financial aid and billing information and communications with university staff. 

To comply with FERPA regulations, institutions partnering with third-party vendors must:

• Maintain full control over student data through granular access controls that define who can access, use, or modify information
• Ensure vendors follow strict security and privacy standards, including data encryption in transit and at rest, multi-factor authentication (MFA), and audit logging
• Prohibit the use of student data for AI training and purposes outside the contract scope 

Cybersecurity in Higher Education

Data Protection Measures for AI-Driven Student Messaging

According to Inside Higher Ed’s 2025 Survey of Campus Chief Technology/Information Officers, only three in 10 CTOs are very (29%) or extremely (2%) confident that their institution’s security practices can prevent cyberattacks that could compromise sensitive student data or intellectual property. 

Also, just a quarter of CTOs (25%) claim their institution has AI policies in place for basic administrative tasks like scheduling and student communication. Even fewer report having policies for more advanced tasks such as predictive modeling for student success.

A lack of clear policies can often lead to compliance issues and breaches, especially when institutions use AI-powered tools that require access to sensitive student data.

Yet, not all AI-driven platforms leave data security and compliance up to the user. Compared to most CRM-based messaging tools, Mongoose’s Conversation Intelligence Platform supports real-time, personalized conversations with prospective students while keeping personal data and messages secure and private. 

Mongoose is also fully compliant with FERPA, TCPA, GDPR, and SOC 2 Type II standards, reducing the risks associated with AI-powered student communication and helping institutions maintain trust with the student population.

The platform integrates secure communication practices that align with key cybersecurity standards in higher education, including:

• Consent Management: Simplify opt-in processes across multiple digital touchpoints and scale student outreach while staying compliant.

• Audit Logs: Capture and timestamp student consent by department across applications, events, forms, and portals to maintain data transparency.

• A2P (Application-to-Person) Registration: Ensure messages reach students through approved, carrier-compliant communication channels.

• Built-In Deliverability Tracking: Monitor deliverability rates, bounce reasons, and carrier flag risks in real time and improve communication across campus.

• Keyword-Triggered Opt-Outs: Allow contacts to easily opt out from messages using keywords such as STOP, CANCEL, END, QUIT, or UNSUBSCRIBE.

• End-to-End Setup: Leverage 1:1 implementation guidance, actionable compliance playbooks, and deliverability setup help to reduce staff overwhelm.

• Best Practice Training: Train teams to optimize message structure and avoid spam flagging or potential disruptions.

“Mongoose has helped us close communication gaps that used to cost us enrollments. Now, it’s helping us bring students across the finish line.”

CARRIE PARWORTH, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, STUDENT AFFAIRS AT GATEWAY TECHNICAL COLLEGE

Keep Student Data Safe

Build Long-Term Trust with Mongoose

So, what happens when student communication is secure and personalized? Engaging with prospects and students becomes easier. 

When students feel heard and supported, opt-out rates drop, attrition decreases, and enrollment yield improves — all while your institution meets the need for secure, compliant, and empathetic conversations.

“Mongoose makes it easy to track activities and have data-driven conversations with counselors to improve strategies and outcomes.”

Alli Carpenter, Associate Director of Recruitment & Communications at Olivet Nazarene university

Book a demo today and discover how Mongoose’s secure, FERPA-compliant Conversation Intelligence Platform can help your institution scale safe, student-centered outreach. 

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