Learning management system (LMS) vendors have recently accomplished impressive progress: cloud-based solutions, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered creation, beautiful content libraries and more. But all the progress made so far can’t protect the industry from global, anonymous malevolent acts — security breaches.
This article explores the security challenges faced by all industries and makes a case for on-premise LMS as a solution to security concerns.
Industries Most Affected by Security Issues
A study on the weekly number of malware attacks shows a disturbing course of events: Organizations in the education and research sectors saw an average of 2,314 attempts to access their data per week, putting them in first place. Governments and the military ranked second, with 1,661 weekly attacks on average.
Potential risks related to data breaches in different industries include:
- Financial: direct monetary value of data.
- Education: vulnerable population groups (e.g., children).
- Military: national security and the lives of veterans.
- Power industry, including nuclear power plants: general population safety.
- Progressive technology: theft of cutting-edge ideas.
- Companies operating in specific areas: legal liabilities and corporate espionage.
Security in eLearning
In previous years, major LMS vendors have fallen victim to a variety of digital attacks. The hackers were after emails, passwords, course details and, worst of all, personally identifiable information (PII). The types of attacks ranged from abusing vulnerabilities to pernicious ransomware cases. All of the reported attacks were directed against cloud-based LMSs.
While the most advanced companies implement international security certifications and successfully avoid the dangers mentioned, the amount of cybercrime being committed is rising. As of June 2024, around 20 major breaches had already occurred during the year. Hitting major businesses across North America, Europe and Japan, these cyberattacks have significant repercussions.
Security Advantages of an On-Premise LMS
From a security standpoint, there’s a lot that an on-premise LMS can offer. Those advantages by no means make cloud-based LMS inferior, but they do become critical when choosing an industry-specific eLearning solution.
Enhanced data control
Total control goes hand in hand with total accountability. One of the main security risk factors stems from the vulnerabilities of third-party cloud services. While cloud services are themselves heavily invested in strengthening their defenses, the success of those attempts is very much out of their clients’ control.
For example, in 2021, the University of California system experienced a data breach due to a vulnerability in the Accellion file transfer appliance, a third-party service.
With an on-premise LMS, organizations can have full control over all data that is stored locally on their servers. This reduces the risk of data breaches.
Security protocol customization
Organizations can build their own wall of security protocols. Unlike cloud-based solutions, which offer standardized (albeit, high-quality) security measures, on-premise LMS users can tailor their security measures to meet specific requirements.
For example, organizations can build state-of-the-art firewalls that provide an initial barrier against unauthorized access. In addition to firewalls, organizations can integrate sophisticated intrusion detection systems (IDSs). Customization of IDS settings helps security staff better detect the types of threats they are most likely to face.
Regulatory compliance
Educational organizations often need to comply with strict regulations regarding data privacy and security, such as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) in the United States. On-premise solutions can be configured to ensure full compliance with these regulations, reducing the risk of legal penalties.
Immediate incident response
Having your sysadmin on standby is a big safety asset. In the event of a security incident, organizations with an on-premise LMS can respond more swiftly, isolating affected systems and mitigating the impact. This rapid response capability is often limited in cloud-based environments due to the need to coordinate with external providers.
Back in 2016, the University of Calgary experienced a ransomware attack. The information technology (IT) team responded immediately; they isolated the servers and restored the data.
Although not a case related to LMSs, it’s a great example of how a responsive IT team, together with an on-premise setup, can save organizations what can potentially be millions of dollars in payouts and all the reputational damage that ensues.
Control over server location
There are reasons why servers have to be in specific geographical locations. In 2018, Meta (formally named Facebook) moved its data storage for European users from the United States to Ireland to comply with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) requirements, which demanded that the personal data of European Union (EU) citizens be stored within the EU.
This is just one example of how companies are meeting regulations like GDPR in Europe, Russia’s Federal Law on Personal Data, and China’s Cybersecurity Law. How is this related to the choice of an LMS vendor? By allowing organizations to store data within specific regions, on-premise LMSs ensure compliance, reduce legal risks and provide data autonomy.
White labeling as a security feature
White labeling is the practice of using a product/service created by a company and applying another company’s branding to it. By using a white-labeled LMS, organizations can maintain their brand voice and image, as if they developed the platform themselves. This adds to the perceived security and stability of the learning services provided. As a result, learners are typically more comfortable with the idea of sharing their data with another party.
Practical Tips for Choosing Your On-Premise LMS Vendor
Choosing the right on-premise LMS provider is the first step to creating a safe learning environment. Due diligence is necessary, and there are several criteria that might help you make the right choice.
Years in the market
When selecting an on-premise LMS vendor, considering the years they have been in the market is crucial. Expertise comes with time. A vendor’s long history indicates reliability and stability, as they have endured market changes and have a proven track record. Seasoned vendors have accumulated knowledge regarding most possible issues and have an extensive repertoire of solutions.
Every year of successful work is a testament to the vendor’s ability to continuously meet customer needs and adapt to evolving technologies.
Big clients
Big companies and established educational organizations have their own security protocols, so the reasoning behind their LMS selections is not limited to mere convenience or price: LMS providers with large enterprises among their clientele are able to meet high standards and manage complex requirements.
User reviews
Verified user reviews on platforms like TrustRadius, G2 and Capterra demonstrate product quality and reliability, as well as the quality of customer service. A high volume of user reviews indicates popularity, and the rating shows overall customer satisfaction. These reviews also help you evaluate how the LMS vendor communicates with existing users after the prepurchase promotion is over, highlighting both the strengths and potential issues of both the vendor and the product.
Customer success manager
It can be difficult and time-consuming to deploy an on-premise LMS. Companies looking for on-premise deployment should opt for vendors that provide initial help with the setup. The customer success manager will help you navigate technical complexities, customize the LMS to your needs and offer ongoing support to address any issues.
By enlisting the expertise of a customer success manager, you can optimize your LMS setup.
Conclusion
Data security remains a pressing concern for major global market players. A successful ransomware attack can cost an institution tens of millions of dollars in ransom payments and reputational damages.
To avoid risks, companies and organizations often turn to on-premise solutions for their learning and training processes. There are several industries and types of businesses where on-premise LMS might be the best choice. Do your due diligence regarding prospective LMS vendors — and stay safe.
