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Security and Compliance

This guide covers essential security practices for the MAESTRE platform, including access control, data protection, and compliance with educational data regulations.

Security Best Practices​

Access Control​

Authentication Security​

  1. Password Policies

    • Enforce strong password requirements (minimum length, complexity)
    • Implement password expiration policies
    • Limit failed login attempts

  2. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

    • Enable MFA for administrator accounts
    • Configure MFA options (SMS, email, authenticator apps)
    • Provide user guidance for MFA setup

  3. Session Management

    • Set appropriate session timeout periods
    • Implement secure session handling
    • Enable session monitoring for suspicious activity

Authorization Controls​

  1. Principle of Least Privilege

    • Assign minimum necessary permissions to users
    • Regularly review and audit user permissions
    • Implement role-based access control (RBAC)

  2. Administrative Access

    • Limit superuser/admin accounts to essential personnel
    • Use separate accounts for administrative and regular activities
    • Log and monitor all administrative actions

Network Security​

  1. HTTPS Configuration

    • Enforce HTTPS for all connections
    • Implement proper SSL/TLS configuration
    • Regularly update SSL certificates

  2. Firewall Configuration

    • Restrict access to necessary ports only
    • Implement IP-based access restrictions for admin interfaces
    • Configure Web Application Firewall (WAF) protection

  3. API Security

    • Implement API authentication and authorization
    • Rate limit API requests to prevent abuse
    • Validate and sanitize all API inputs

Data Protection​

Data Encryption​

  1. Data in Transit

    • Enforce TLS 1.2+ for all connections
    • Configure secure cipher suites
    • Implement HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)

  2. Data at Rest

    • Encrypt database contents
    • Secure backup files with encryption
    • Protect configuration files containing sensitive information

  3. Key Management

    • Implement secure key storage
    • Rotate encryption keys periodically
    • Establish key recovery procedures

Sensitive Data Handling​

  1. Personal Information

    • Classify data based on sensitivity
    • Minimize collection of personal information
    • Implement data masking for sensitive fields

  2. Student Data Protection

    • Apply additional safeguards for student information
    • Implement age-appropriate data handling policies
    • Ensure parental consent mechanisms where required

Backup Security​

  1. Secure Backup Storage

    • Encrypt all backup files
    • Store backups in secure, access-controlled locations
    • Implement offline backup copies

  2. Backup Access Control

    • Restrict backup access to authorized personnel
    • Log all backup access and restoration activities
    • Test backup integrity regularly

Compliance Framework​

Educational Data Regulations​

  1. FERPA Compliance (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)

    • Implement access controls for student records
    • Provide mechanisms for parental/student access to records
    • Maintain audit trails for record access

  2. COPPA Compliance (Children's Online Privacy Protection Act)

    • Implement age verification mechanisms
    • Obtain verifiable parental consent
    • Limit data collection from children under 13

  3. GDPR Considerations (General Data Protection Regulation)

    • Implement data subject access request procedures
    • Provide data portability options
    • Establish data retention policies

Compliance Documentation​

  1. Policy Documentation

    • Maintain up-to-date security policies
    • Document compliance procedures
    • Create incident response plans

  2. Audit Trails

    • Enable comprehensive logging
    • Establish log retention policies
    • Implement tamper-evident logging

Security Monitoring​

Logging and Auditing​

  1. System Logging

    • Configure comprehensive application logging
    • Implement centralized log collection
    • Establish log retention policies

  2. Security Auditing

    • Conduct regular security audits
    • Review access logs periodically
    • Monitor for unusual activity patterns

Intrusion Detection​

  1. Monitoring Strategies

    • Implement real-time security monitoring
    • Configure alerts for suspicious activities
    • Establish baseline behavior patterns

  2. Automated Responses

    • Configure automatic blocking for suspicious IPs
    • Implement account lockout after failed attempts
    • Set up notification systems for security events

Vulnerability Management​

Security Updates​

  1. Patch Management

    • Establish regular update schedules
    • Prioritize security patches
    • Test updates before deployment

  2. Dependency Management

    • Regularly update software dependencies
    • Monitor for security advisories
    • Implement automated dependency scanning

Security Testing​

  1. Penetration Testing

    • Conduct regular penetration tests
    • Address identified vulnerabilities promptly
    • Document testing procedures and results

  2. Vulnerability Scanning

    • Implement automated vulnerability scanning
    • Establish remediation timelines based on severity
    • Track vulnerability resolution

Incident Response​

Response Planning​

  1. Incident Response Plan

    • Define incident categories and severity levels
    • Establish response team roles and responsibilities
    • Document communication procedures

  2. Containment Strategies

    • Develop procedures for isolating affected systems
    • Establish criteria for service suspension
    • Document evidence preservation procedures

Recovery Procedures​

  1. Service Restoration

    • Define recovery priorities
    • Establish clean restoration procedures
    • Document verification steps

  2. Post-Incident Analysis

    • Conduct thorough incident reviews
    • Document lessons learned
    • Update security measures based on findings

Security Checklist​

Use this checklist to ensure your MAESTRE deployment follows security best practices:

  • HTTPS is enforced for all connections
  • Strong password policies are implemented
  • Multi-factor authentication is enabled for administrative accounts
  • Regular backups are performed and encrypted
  • Security patches are applied promptly
  • Access controls follow the principle of least privilege
  • Comprehensive logging and monitoring is in place
  • Incident response plan is documented and tested
  • Data protection policies comply with relevant regulations
  • Regular security audits are conducted