If your data is online, there is always a risk of hacking or data theft until proper security measures are taken. We have seen many top-tech giants like Facebook, Google, Windows as prey of cyber attack. Organizations using LMS and authoring tools may also add up in the list. So, it becomes imperative to protect and secure your data.
While many corporate organizations consider security measures when investing in a learning management system, many others avoid this fact. But having an unsecure LMS is like giving your competitors all the strategies of your successful business. They can view your organization business plans, training procedures and analytics.
Moreover, you put the personal information of employees at risk. While signing up for LMS, they enter e-mails, phone numbers and other personal details which can be misused. So, having a safe and secure LMS should be the priority of every business. When purchasing the best LMS, first check its security features, compatibility with the latest web protocols, network security and much more.
Deciding the Type of LMS on Security Basis
Security makes the best Learning Management Systems. If you look at the features of the top 10 LMS systems, security is one of the essential elements. While many organizations do not offer this feature in open-source or free LMS systems, they provide all the security essentials when you download the premium version.
Coming to the types of LMS, the behavior of security changes upon your selection of LMS. As hosted LMS is installed on the company’s network, they seem to be much more secure than cloud-based LMS. However, cloud-based LMS providers may take into account advanced security methods to protect your LMS. Those wondering what is a cloud-based LMS? Then it is an LMS offered as SaaS (Software as a Service) rather than a product. So, these types of LMS are hosted on supplier’s servers and not on the organization server.
You can compare LMS and check online reviews from trusted buyers to select the best for your business.
Security Essentials in LMS
While anti-virus, anti-spam and data encryption are the primary security needs in LMS. It should meet the advanced security features to protect data from attacks. These features are:
Single Sign-On: As Google provides the option to log in on Youtube, Gmail, GDrive, with a single username and password, an LMS system should also use a Single Sign-On method. So, you can log in with a single username and password for all the websites and services your LMS provides.
Your organization can implement the same security policies, and updates on a single account and they will be applied on all the services you use. This gives a centralized authentication management system. Moreover, there will be no need to save passwords on note-books.
Location-Based Two-Time Authentication: LMS manufacturers could consider in designing LMS systems with the multi-factor authentication system. It acts as a layer of access to the LMS portal. First, the user sign-in with username and password. Then a unique code is sent to the registered mobile number which user has to input in the login- section. But here, the login should only be possible when the person’s mobile phone is at the same place from where he/ she is accessing the LMS system. This will add extra security and give learners a promise of secure login.
Network Security: While sign-in provides security to an individual’s profile, an LMS should also meet up to the standard regulations of the web. SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), Firewall, network design are some of the mandatory components of network security. It becomes more essential if you are using a cloud-based LMS. Advanced firewall systems support the denial of service protection, trigger alerts, providing your LMS the best security possible.
With security services, standard practices like creating user permissions, upgrading LMS to available updates, and regular monitoring are also essential to keep your learning management system completely secure. Most of the organizations offer CMS/ LMS on packages that include all these security essentials. So, you can choose the best and give your employees and trainers a secure e-learning environment.