The Role Facebook Platform Plays in Higher Ed Data Security

George Deglin

It’s no coincidence that many university CIOs I’ve spoken to have the role of Chief Privacy Officer as well. Privacy and control of data is an essential consideration for university technology offices.

The incredible growth of blogs and social networks has pushed much the control universities once had about the data that is shared out of their hands. Students can now be found sharing college advice and experiences on 3rd party sites like collegeconfidential.com or collegeprowler.com. Shrinking budgets and the draw of social media sites has moved student attention away from traditional static information pages hosted on university sites, and focused it on the more authentic communication created in discussion forums and newsfeeds.

Unfortunately, the information found through 3rd party services, while often accurate and authentic, is occasionally inaccurate or even malicious. This is where we feel Inigral’s Schools on Facebook product can make the biggest difference.

Since the launch of the Facebook platform three years ago, Inigral has been focused on bridging the divide between social networking and universities. When a Facebook authorizes Inigral’s Schools on Facebook application, Inigral is provided a list of that user’s friends, their name, their picture, and a basic list of that user’s interests. By leveraging this information, we are able to bring the incredible authenticity provided by social networks to a community that is under the university’s control and brand. Unlike traditional Facebook communication features, any communication that occurs inside of the School’s on Facebook application can be carefully monitored by a university to ensure accuracy and to prevent harassment. In addition, Schools on Facebook enhances a student’s Facebook experience by creating a place where they can connect with student ambassadors or other students like themselves without requiring the student to become Facebook friends with that person or revealing any personal information.

Our efforts have worked. Students have been able to gather tremendous value from their School’s installation of Schools on Facebook. We’ve had the pleasure of seeing students organize sky diving trips, video game tournaments, and even bands. The next step has been just a click away for these users — they merely need to click “Add as Facebook Friend” and it’s almost certain that they’ll stay in touch for years. Best of all, CIOs don’t need to worry since all conversations that go on within the Schools on Facebook community can be moderated by as little as one staff member and a few minutes each day.