How to Check if Your LMS is Secure and Safe to Use?

Viren Kapadia Aug 28, 2019
How to Check if Your LMS is Secure and Safe to Use?

The idea of a Learning Management System (LMS) is no alien concept today. The fact that it helps in automating learning and development processes is encouraging modern business owners to invest in an LMS. However, despite this, data safety remains one of the biggest concerns. Buyers are often worried about how their user data and other sensitive information will be protected against prying eyes.

If you too are planning to buy an LMS and are concerned about data security, here is what you should know.

Important LMS Security Features

Often people believe that there is no way to check if your LMS is safe and secure, but this is a myth. Keeping some essential LMS security features in mind, you can find the right LMS that is both effective and secure.

  1. SSL Security

    SSL or Secure Sockets Layer is a technology that adds encryption to the web protocol, in order to make web browsing safe and sound. It has been made compulsory on websites that require handling credit cards or any other mode of payment. In addition, most browsers mark websites without SSL as unsafe. So, while purchasing an LMS, ask your vendor if it has been enabled with an SSL protective layer.

  2. IP Blocker

    To keep unwanted IP addresses to from accessing your data, your LMS should have an IP blocker. IP addresses can be manually added to the ‘blocked’ or ‘allowed’ list, so you can easily protect your elearning content and user data from hostile virtual attackers.

  3. Password Authentication

    This feature allows usernames and passwords to be completely safe by transmitting them to a remote access server. Other protocols may also be involved to ensure that the data is accessed only by authorized users. For example, users can be given only three attempts to log in the LMS. This is a measure to prevent would-be hackers from guessing the password.

  4. Anti Virus

    An anti-virus software is essential to keep eLearning content and user data protected against virtual threats, so make sure your online LMS learning system is well-equipped anti-virus features.

  5. Domain-Based Registrations

    This feature allows the online learners to register for the LMS only through the domains allowed by the admin. These domains can be either eLearning portals or a subdomain of your site. If you wish for more enhanced security level, ask for an LMS that combines this feature with password-protected domains.

  6. Mobile Security

    The users won’t be just accessing the LMS through their desktop, but also through mobile and tablet devices. Hence, you must ensure that the LMS comes with mobile security features. From data encryption to anti-virus protection and mobile user authentication, the LMS must be equipped with all such security features.

  7. Data Recovery

    Pay clear attention to data recovery or protection against disasters while looking for security features in an LMS. You need to ensure that the data centers have high-density power systems in place and are monitored with regular data backups.

With these features in place, you can be assured that the LMS you choose is safe and sound.

Quick Tips to Protect Your LMS Data

Once you have purchased the LMS and implemented it in your organization, it is your responsibility to make sure that the LMS data is protected and encrypted. Follow the tips below to work with your system’s security protocols.

  • Train all employees on the effective use, management, and storage of learning data.
  • Control the access features, i.e., keep check on who can physically access your computers.
  • Conduct regular security check-ups on your LMS.
  • Thoroughly verify security protocols which are used by third-party services.
  • Malware, software and operating systems protection should be up to date.
  • Access to sensitive data must be limited to only a few people, those who genuinely need it.

Conclusion

Security comes first, so no matter what you must be clear about all the security features that should be present and operational on your LMS. In addition to the safety features, you can also ask the vendor for a free LMS trial to ensure that the LMS works exactly as promised by the vendor. Last but not the least, do not forget to check which security protection are offered as part of the LMS package.

GyrusAim is a platform that offers all the essential security features and necessary integrations to keep your online corporate assets safe and secure. You can try it today though a free trial.