Branching Minds now offers district partners the ability to systematically identify students who need more behavior support using the SRSS-IE universal screener.

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    Here at Branching Minds, we take data privacy and security very seriously. Striving to stay current on security practices and requirements means that we go above and beyond to pursue certifications of security measures to demonstrate our commitment to safeguarding our partners' information. We know our partners entrust a vast amount of student and employee information to us, and we aim to support our partners in protecting their data so they can focus on their learning priorities and achieve their goals with peace of mind. 


     

    Single Sign-On (SSO) Makes Authenticating Your Users Easy

    Branching Minds supports a variety of Single Sign-On (SSO) technologies and protocols, including but not limited to, Google Apps, Microsoft Azure AD, Active Directory/LDAP, and SAML. In addition, Branching Minds is capable of integrating with any OpenID or OAuth platforms and, if necessary, can configure both password and non-password based email authentication.

    Google Apps
    LDAP
    Microsoft Azure
    SAML

    Branching Minds Prioritizes the Security and Privacy of Your Data

    We know that privacy is tremendously important to our partners. A high-level summary of our security practices is included in our privacy policy, accessible here. These practices include the following:

    At Branching Minds, we are serious about our data safeguarding responsibilities. We have implemented multiple security measures to protect PII from unauthorized disclosure.

    SOC 2 Type 2

    The Branching Minds application has a current SOC 2 Type 2 report available upon request and with a signed NDA.

    NIST CSF Alignment

    Branching Minds as an organization and product is aligned with the NIST Cybersecurity Framework.

    Data Encryption

    All data on Branching Minds systems is encrypted in transit and at rest.

    File Transfer Protocol

    Data is securely transferred to Branching minds using File Transfer Protocol (FTP) over secure (SSL/TLS) cryptographic protocol.

    Anti-Malware

    Our virtual servers, containerized workloads and employee computers are scanned for malware using advanced EDR and anti-malware systems.

    Intelligent Threat Protection/Intrusion Detection

    Our cloud based systems are scanned constantly in real-time for advanced security threats using AI-based tools.

    Cloud Provider

    We store all of our data and host Branching Minds at secure off-site facilities managed by industry-leading Amazon Web Services (AWS) at their secured data centers in the United States. These data centers are housed in nondescript facilities and physical access is strictly controlled both at the perimeter and at building ingress points by professional security staff utilizing video surveillance, intrusion detection systems, and other electronic means. Authorized staff must pass two-factor authentication a minimum of two times to access data center floors. All visitors and contractors are required to present identification and are signed in and continually escorted by authorized staff. AWS only provides data center access and information to employees and contractors who have a legitimate business need for such privileges. When an employee no longer has a business need for these privileges, his or her access is immediately revoked, even if they continue to be an employee of Amazon or AWS. All physical access to data centers by AWS employees is logged and audited routinely. All access to the information within Branching Minds stored on these servers is encrypted.

    Firewalls

    Our systems are logically segmented within AWS.  Firewalls and virtual private clouds (VPCs) protect and enforce that segmentation and are periodically reviewed and updated as required.  Our applications and API are protected with advanced web application firewalls (WAFs).

    Cloud Audit Data

    Detailed, searchable information on all API calls and user actions in our infrastructure is captured and retained.  We alert on this data to provide real time security visibility.

    Security Audits

    Branching Minds conducts internal security audits and code reviews on a regular basis.

    Penetration Testing

    Branching Minds code undergoes penetration testing by an authorized 3rd party.  Findings are prioritized and remediated in a timely manner.

    Secure Programming Practices

    Branching Minds software developers utilize secure programming practices to reduce the possibility of introducing vulnerabilities to our application (like those identified by OWASP and SANS) that could lead to security breaches.

    Code Scanning

    Branching minds utilizes automated code-scanning software integrated into our pipelines to ensure vulnerabilities in code are identified and prioritized for remediation before code is deployed.

    Secrets Management

    Application and system secrets are securely generated, stored and retrievable programmatically from a cloud-based secrets manager which utilizes HSMs (Hardware Security Modules). 

    Account Protection

    Each user of Branching Minds is required to create an account with a unique account name and password.

    Facility Security

    Branching Minds is located inside the continental United States. Physical access is protected by electronic access devices, with monitored security and fire/smoke alarm systems.

    Data Retention & Management

    All PII provided to Branching Minds will be destroyed upon termination of our relationship with the school or district, or when it is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was provided.

    Staff Training & Background Checks

    All employees and contractors undergo regular training on security best practices. All employees and contractors with access to PII or who work onsite undergo background checks.

    Third Party Vendor Monitoring

    All Branching Minds vendors are vetted and monitored internally on an ongoing basis to ensure they utilize industry-standard privacy and security protections.

    Password Protection

    All Branching Minds employees utilize an encrypted password storage system to safeguard sensitive login information.

    Data Leak Prevention (DLP)

    Branching Minds employs a leading DLP solution to ensure that sensitive information is not shared in an insecure fashion.

    DNS Security

    All Branching Minds domains are all DNSSEC compliant.

    We Utilize Best Practices to Destroy Your Data Once It’s No Longer Needed

    Branching Minds employs United States Department of Education best practice recommendations for data destruction using the following processes for data destruction: 

    • Unless otherwise requested by your district, all PII provided to Branching Minds will be destroyed upon termination of our relationship with you (typically during September of the school year following the school year in which your LEA opts to terminate our relationship), or when it is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was provided.

    • Data is destroyed using the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) clear method sanitization that protects against non-invasive data recovery techniques.

    • Sensitive data will not be disposed of using methods (e.g.; file deletion, disk formatting, and one-way encryption) that leaves the majority of data intact and vulnerable to being retrieved.

    • The individual who performs the data destruction signs a certification form describing the destruction.

    • Occasionally, non-electronic media used within Branching Minds may contain PII. When these documents are no longer required, the non-electronic media is destroyed in a secure manner (most typically using a shredder) that renders it safe for disposal or recycling.

    Branching Minds Is Designed from the Ground Up to Support FERPA Compliance

    Restricted access to individually identifiable student and personnel data based on defined system roles to meet all FERPA requirements.

    Branching Minds is designed to give administrators flexibility to limit staff access to student information and to ensure that student and staff data is protected in accordance with all FERPA requirements. 

    After the initial onboarding process, teacher users have access to students listed on their class rosters, as reported by their student information system, while manager users have access to all students at their school (or district). Teacher users can then either request, or be assigned students who they do not initially have access too. In addition, teacher users and manager users can be assigned to multiple schools within a district.

    Branching Minds utilizes a permission system to ensure that student data is accessible to teacher users that are working with that student. Conversely, administrators are able to see all data at the campus and district level, depending on their access level. 

    Restricted access to individually identifiable student progress to staff members involved in educational support planning for the student and defined administrators.

    By default, Branching Minds restricts teacher user access to only those students who appear on their official school roster (as provided to Branching Minds through the student information system). Manager users (typically those coordinating RTI/MTSS, such as campus and district administrators, counselors and specialists such as school or district psychologists), who are defined explicitly by the district during implementation planning and onboarding, have access to all students at their school/district. Teacher users can then either request, or be assigned students who they do not initially have access to, by manager users. Both types of users may be assigned to multiple schools by manager users, as necessary.

    Student Privacy Pledge

    Proudly Certified

    • Data Privacy Certification by 1EdTech - branching minds-min
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    • Customer Service Award by Business Intelligence Group - branching minds-min
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    • Interoperability  Rating Tier 4 by Project Unicorn - Branching Minds-min
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    • Research-Based Design Product Certification by Digital Promise - Branching Minds-min
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    • Privacy Rating  by Common Sense - branching minds-min
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    • Learner Variability Certification by Digital Promise - Branching Minds-min
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    • SOC 2 Type 2 Certification by AICPA-min (1)
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    • Data Privacy Certification by 1EdTech - branching minds-min
    • Customer Service Award by Business Intelligence Group - branching minds-min
    • Interoperability  Rating Tier 4 by Project Unicorn - Branching Minds-min
    • Research-Based Design Product Certification by Digital Promise - Branching Minds-min
    • Privacy Rating  by Common Sense - branching minds-min
    • Learner Variability Certification by Digital Promise - Branching Minds-min
    • essa-level-iv-branching-minds-min
    • SOC 2 Type 2 Certification by AICPA-min (1)
    • one-roster-cert-branching-minds