How does Broward College address privacy and use of student data in IT systems?

• A. Data is publicly accessible to staff.
• B. Data is publicly accessible to vendors.
• C. Data is publicly accessible to all students.
• D. Student data is protected by privacy laws; access is restricted to authorized personnel; improper disclosure or access may result in disciplinary or legal action.

Answer: (D)

Privacy and data access controls govern how student information is handled in IT systems. Broward College follows privacy laws, such as FERPA, to keep student data confidential and restrict access to those with a legitimate educational need. Data is not publicly accessible to staff, vendors, or students; instead, only authorized personnel can view or handle it, and protections like authentication, role-based access, and audit logging help enforce this. When someone accesses or discloses data improperly, it can lead to disciplinary measures and possible legal action. The other options imply broad public access, which would violate privacy protections and legal obligations.