November 5, 2008
NSLDS Posts New Security Enhancements
On October 10, 2008, the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) issued Newsletter #20 to announce new NSLDS security enhancements, such as Social Security number (SSN) masking and tools to assist Primary Destination Point Administrators (PDPAs) in researching potential security violations within their organizations. These changes are effective this month.
A brief description of the enhancements and information outlined in NSLDS Newsletter #20 is provided below. (NSLDS security enhancements are more fully described in NSLDS Technical Update GA-2008-08 - Security Monitoring.)
- Most of the Web pages on the National Student Loan Data System for Financial Aid Professionals (NSLDSFAP) Web site will mask SSNs to display only the last four digits.
- NSLDS actively monitors online user activity. If users are in violation of NSLDS security policy, NSLDS will e-mail an alert to the user's PDPA.
- NSLDS has developed security reports for the PDPA to actively monitor the activities of organizational users.
- School users are reminded that they should refer to NSLDS Newsletter #18 for NSLDS security policies.
- Guaranty agencies, lenders and lender servicers are reminded they can refer to Dear Colleague Letter GEN-05-06.
- NSLDS Customer Service Center contact information is provided.