FERPA Compliance Checklist (Updated 3/2025)

FERPA compliance checklist

Protecting student education records isn’t optional. It’s a legal requirement. Schools, colleges, and universities must follow the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law that outlines how student records should be handled. FERPA gives students and parents specific rights over those records and demands strict safeguards from institutions. But staying compliant isn’t…

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RegisterBlast Achieves TX-RAMP Certification with Support from Bright Defense

TX-RAMP Level 2 Certification

Nashville, TN — December 17th, 2024 — RegisterBlast, a leader in managing online registrations for higher education institutions, is proud to announce its successful attainment of TX-RAMP (Texas Risk and Authorization Management Program) Level 2 certification. This certification represents a critical milestone for organizations providing technology services to state agencies in Texas. By achieving TX-RAMP compliance,…

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Mastering CMMC Compliance: The Differences Between Level 1 and Level 2

The differences between CMMC Level 1 and Level 2

Video Transcript Below is a transcript of a video conversation between Greg Laroche, Head of Products and Compliance at PreVeil, and Tim Mektrakarn and John Minnix, Founders of Bright Defense. John: “What are the key differences between CMMC level 1 and level 2 compliance that businesses should be aware of? Tim: “CMMC Level 1 requires…

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CMMC 2.0 Final Rule: Key Updates for Defense Contractors

CMMC 2.0

CMMC 2.0 is now official. The final rule was published on October 15, 2024, and defense contractors must start preparing for new cybersecurity requirements. The updated framework reduces assessment levels from five to three, aligning them with existing NIST standards. ​ The goal is to simplify compliance, especially for small and mid-sized businesses, while still…

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CISO vs CIO: Understanding the Key Differences for Your SMB

CISO vs CIO

As a small or medium-sized business owner, you’re constantly juggling numerous responsibilities, from managing finances to driving growth. One crucial aspect of running a successful business that often gets overlooked is understanding the distinct roles of your IT leadership, specifically the Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) and the Chief Information Officer (CIO). Knowing the difference…

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NIST Compliance Checklist for 800-171

NIST Compliance Checklist

Getting Started with Implementing NIST 800-171 Controls The NIST Special Publication 800-171 outlines the requirements for protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in non-federal systems. The framework is widely used for protecting critical and sensitive information in organizations. Begin by conducting a thorough assessment of your current cybersecurity posture using a NIST Compliance Checklist. This involves…

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What is AZRAMP?

In today’s digital age, cybersecurity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. With increasing threats and data breaches, organizations need robust frameworks to manage risks and protect sensitive information. One such framework is AZRAMP, or the Arizona Risk and Authorization Management Program. Let’s dive into what AZRAMP is all about and see how it stacks up…

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What is a POAM?

What is a POAM?

Cybersecurity compliance can feel overwhelming for many small and medium businesses. A Plan of Actions and Milestones, or POAM, can be a useful tool for streamlining and simplifying the compliance process. A POAM outlines the current status of an organization’s compliance efforts. It serves as a strategic guide for identifying, prioritizing, and addressing vulnerabilities within…

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