Data Security

Confidentiality and security are among the highest priorities of HiScore.

HiScore survey data are hosted on a secure server in Perth WA. All data collected through the web-site remains the property of HiScore and their client schools. Schools grant HiScore rights to access the data for research purposes. When conducting independent research using the data HiScore guarantees that references to individuals and schools are not identifiable. Furthermore, data will not be shared with any third party without the written authorisation of the school principal. School principals can access their school’s current or archived data at any time by written request through the HiScore consultancy service (retrieval fees apply). HiScore archive data for a minimum period of seven years. At the expiration of seven years schools may request a copy of their data (retrieval and handling fees apply) but agree to relinquish to HiScore all ongoing rights to the de-identified raw data.

HiScore Database Security Features Include:

PERSONALISED PASSWORD - Security of HiScore data are enhanced through the personal selection of a password. Principals’ are issued with a school password. Access to the information for any specific school requires use of this password. The Principal can share the school password with school leaders. The greatest security risk for a school lies in the possibility that an unauthorized individual will gain access to a school password. To minimise this risk Principals can re-set their school password on a regular basis.

ENCRYPTED DATA TRANSFER - Information sent to or from HiScore is encrypted en route to minimize the remote chance that the data could be re-routed and interpreted.

UNIQUE SERVER SPACE - Each school sending data to HiScore has a protected and unique space on a local server. No individual or other school entity has access to the information from another school.

PROFESSIONAL QUALITY FIREWALL - The HiScore database is located in Perth Western Australia and is protected by a firewall of high professional quality. The effectiveness of this firewall in preventing unauthorized access to HiScore accounts is monitored continuously, and upgraded regularly.

DE-IDENTIFICATION OF DATA FOR RESEARCH - All schools using HiScore agree to have their data added to a research database which is administered by HiScore. The purpose of the research database is to document large demographic patterns.

In the research database the following considerations are important;

• HiScore comply with Australian Government Freedom of Information and Privacy Legislation.
• Data reported in research reports and presentations are done in aggregate format that prevents the identification of individual (a) students, (b) staff, or (c) schools.
• Schools are responsible for the on-site management and security of data accessed via the HiScore website.