Student Data Security You Can Trust
SchoolNIMBUS Cloud is built from the ground up with FERPA compliance at its core. Enterprise-grade encryption, comprehensive audit logs, and role-based access control protect student privacy at every step.
What is FERPA Compliance?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Schools must have written permission from parents before sharing student information—except in specific circumstances.
SchoolNIMBUS Cloud is designed to meet all FERPA requirements automatically. You do not need to worry about compliance—our platform handles it for you.
FERPA Compliance Guarantee
SchoolNIMBUS Cloud maintains full FERPA compliance through encryption, audit logs, access controls, and annual third-party audits. Your district's student data is protected.
FERPA Requirements
- Control who can access student records
- Maintain comprehensive audit logs
- Encrypt data in transit and at rest
- Allow parents to inspect their child's records
- Provide mechanisms to correct inaccurate data
- Obtain consent before disclosure
How SchoolNIMBUS Cloud Protects Student Data
Multi-layered security architecture designed specifically for educational institutions
End-to-End Encryption
AES-256 encryption for all files at rest. TLS 1.3 encryption for data in transit. Files are encrypted before upload and remain encrypted in SchoolNIMBUS Cloud storage.
Comprehensive Audit Logs
Every file access, upload, download, and deletion is logged in SchoolNIMBUS Cloud with user ID, timestamp, and IP address. Logs are immutable and retained for 7 years.
Role-Based Access Control
10-tier role hierarchy in SchoolNIMBUS Cloud ensures staff only see files they need. Principals see their school, teachers see their students, nurses see medical records.
Multi-Tenant Isolation
Complete data separation between districts in SchoolNIMBUS Cloud. Your students' files are isolated from other districts with database-level and application-level controls.
Automatic Session Timeout
SchoolNIMBUS Cloud sessions expire after 30 minutes of inactivity. No sensitive data remains on screen if a staff member walks away from their computer.
Third-Party Security Audits
Annual penetration testing and SOC 2 Type II audits by independent security firms validate SchoolNIMBUS Cloud security controls and FERPA compliance.
Audit Logs for Every Action in SchoolNIMBUS Cloud
What Gets Logged?
File Upload
Who uploaded, what file, for which student, timestamp
File Access
Who viewed file, when, from what IP address
File Download
Who downloaded, what file, timestamp
File Deletion
Who deleted, what file, reason (if provided)
Permission Changes
Who changed access, what changed, old/new values
User Login
Who logged in, from where, session duration
Audit Log Reports
Generate audit reports from SchoolNIMBUS Cloud for compliance reviews, investigations, or record requests:
Filter by date range, user, or student
Find specific actions quickly
Export to PDF or CSV
Share with compliance officers or investigators
7-year retention policy
Meets most state requirements for record retention
Immutable logs
Logs cannot be edited or deleted after creation
Compliance Certifications & Standards
SchoolNIMBUS Cloud maintains industry-standard certifications to validate our security posture
SOC 2 Type II
Annual audit of security, availability, and confidentiality controls
FERPA Compliant
Built specifically for K-12 educational institutions
COPPA Compliant
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act compliance for young students
Google Cloud Security
Hosted on Google Cloud infrastructure with enterprise security
SchoolNIMBUS Cloud vs. Insecure Alternatives
Many districts unknowingly violate FERPA by using consumer tools for student data
| Feature | SchoolNIMBUS Cloud | Dropbox/Google Drive | |
|---|---|---|---|
| FERPA Compliant | |||
| End-to-End Encryption | |||
| Audit Logs | |||
| Role-Based Access | |||
| Multi-Tenant Isolation | |||
| SOC 2 Type II Certified | |||
| PowerSchool Integration | |||
| Parent Upload Portal |
⚠️ Using Email or Consumer Cloud Storage?
If your district collects student documents via email or shared Dropbox/Google Drive folders, you may be violating FERPA. These tools lack proper access controls, audit logs, and data isolation required for student records. Switch to SchoolNIMBUS Cloud for complete compliance.
FERPA Compliance FAQ
Is SchoolNIMBUS Cloud FERPA compliant out of the box?
Yes. SchoolNIMBUS Cloud is designed specifically for K-12 institutions and meets all FERPA requirements by default. You do not need to configure anything special—compliance is built into the platform architecture.
Who can access student files in SchoolNIMBUS Cloud?
Only authorized staff with legitimate educational interest. Our 10-tier role system ensures principals see their school, teachers see their students, nurses see medical records, etc. Access is automatically scoped based on job function and school assignment.
How long are audit logs retained in SchoolNIMBUS Cloud?
Audit logs are retained for 7 years by default, which exceeds most state requirements. Logs are immutable—they cannot be edited or deleted after creation. You can export logs at any time for compliance reviews or investigations.
What happens if a parent requests to see their child's records?
FERPA gives parents the right to inspect their child's educational records. In SchoolNIMBUS Cloud, authorized staff can generate a complete file list for any student and share it with parents. Parents also have direct access through the PowerSchool Parent Portal.
Can parents access SchoolNIMBUS Cloud directly?
Yes, through the PowerSchool Parent Portal integration. Parents log in with their existing PowerSchool credentials and can upload files for their children to SchoolNIMBUS Cloud. They only see their own children's files, never other students.
Do you sign BAAs (Business Associate Agreements)?
While FERPA does not require BAAs (that is HIPAA), we are happy to sign Data Processing Agreements (DPAs) with districts that request them. Contact us to discuss your specific compliance requirements for SchoolNIMBUS Cloud.
Protect Student Privacy with Confidence
Start your free 30-day trial and see how SchoolNIMBUS Cloud makes FERPA compliance automatic.
No credit card required • SOC 2 Type II certified • FERPA compliant by design