Cybersecurity risks are increasing. Protecting the data we collect is more than a policy document; it’s a commitment to building and operating software that puts privacy first.
We’ve all seen the impact when organisations are caught out by cyber incidents. With the rise of AI and the rapid pace of software development, the risks of insecure code, data breaches, and fake web services designed to steal login details are only growing.
That’s why all software providers must take privacy seriously, not as a box-ticking exercise, but as a core value.
To raise the bar for all EdTech providers, a Privacy Pledge has been developed.
Hail has taken a leadership role here , working with EdTechNZ and the Ministry of Education to shape and define the standards that underpin the pledge.
“Hail has always been about setting the standard. By defining the data privacy controls in this pledge, we’re ensuring every EdTech business can be held to the same high level of trust.”
— Stuart Dillon-Roberts, Founder of Hail
The pledge gives schools and kura confidence that the providers they work with have made a clear commitment to safeguarding the data shared with EdTech services.
While the pledge isn’t as rigorous as Safer Technologies for Schools (ST4S), the gold standard for data security and privacy, it does represent:
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A commitment by providers to meet the Privacy Act and recognised security best-practice standards.
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A promise to be transparent about how data is collected, stored, and used.
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An agreement to implement strong safeguards to protect student and teacher information.
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support them on the journey to be ST4S assessed.
The pledge is a voluntary assessment, designed to raise the bar across the EdTech sector.
To support providers completing it, Hail has developed a dedicated security portal that includes templates, commentary, and practical advice for improving security.
For us at Hail, this isn’t just about signing a pledge, it’s about setting the benchmark for privacy in education technology.
👉 Learn more here: The Aotearoa EdTech Data Privacy Pledge
