EdTech Compliance Consulting for Higher Education Institutions

At Hicks Engineering, we specialize in guiding EdTech companies through the unique and stringent compliance requirements of higher education institutions. As colleges and universities increasingly rely on cloud-based solutions, they demand robust assurance in cybersecurity, data privacy, and accessibility. We help EdTech providers proactively meet these demands, streamlining their sales cycles and building trusted partnerships within the higher education community.

About Our Approach

Our consulting services are designed to address the multifaceted compliance landscape faced by EdTech companies. We focus on preparing your products and processes to meet the expectations of higher education procurement teams, often formalized through assessments like the Higher Education Community Vendor Assessment Toolkit (HECVAT). By integrating expertise in cybersecurity, data privacy, and digital accessibility (including VPATs), we provide a holistic approach to ensure your offerings are secure, compliant, and ready for campus adoption.

Our EdTech Compliance Services for Higher Education

We offer comprehensive services tailored to help EdTech companies navigate and fulfill the critical compliance requirements of colleges and universities:

HECVAT Completion & Optimization:

• HECVAT Assessment Facilitation: We provide expert guidance and hands-on support in completing the various versions of the HECVAT (Full, Lite, On-Premise). We ensure all sections—including Company Overview, Documentation, Application/Service Security, Infrastructure Security, Data Privacy, IT Accessibility, and more—are accurately and thoroughly addressed.
• Risk Posture Alignment: We help you articulate your existing security, privacy, and data management controls within the HECVAT framework, demonstrating your alignment with higher education's risk appetite.
• Evidence Gathering Support: Assist in compiling the necessary documentation, certifications (e.g., SOC 2 reports, ISO 27001), and policies to substantiate your HECVAT responses, building confidence with university IT and security teams.
• Gap Analysis & Remediation Planning: Identify areas where your current practices may not fully meet HECVAT expectations and provide actionable recommendations to close these gaps, enhancing your overall compliance posture.

VPAT Accessibility Testing & Accessibility Conformance Reports (ACR):

• VPAT Readiness Assessment: We evaluate your EdTech product against relevant VPAT® versions (e.g., VPAT® 2.5), aligning with WCAG (2.0, 2.1, 2.2) and Section 508, which are critical standards for higher education procurement.
• Comprehensive Accessibility Audit: Conduct in-depth manual and automated accessibility testing of your software, web applications, and digital content. We pinpoint accessibility barriers to ensure your product is usable by students and staff with disabilities.
• Official ACR Development: We complete the official VPAT® template, generating a meticulous Accessibility Conformance Report (ACR) that precisely documents your product's conformance level to accessibility criteria, providing clear explanations for procurement teams.
• EdTech Accessibility Roadmapping: Provide strategic guidance and remediation recommendations for improving your product's accessibility, helping you demonstrate a proactive commitment to ongoing accessibility to institutions.

Data Privacy & Security Compliance:

• FERPA Compliance Guidance: Advise on best practices for protecting student education records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a cornerstone of data privacy in higher education.
• GDPR & State Privacy Law Alignment: Assess your data handling practices against global regulations like GDPR and emerging state-specific privacy laws, ensuring your platform meets diverse institutional requirements.
• Cybersecurity Controls Review: Evaluate your cybersecurity safeguards, including data encryption, access controls, incident response plans, and vendor management, ensuring they align with the robust security demands outlined in HECVAT and institutional policies.
• TX-RAMP Authorization Support: For EdTech companies serving public higher education institutions in Texas, we provide guidance and support for navigating the Texas Risk and Authorization Management Program (TX-RAMP). This includes preparing for assessments to demonstrate your cloud service's security posture and data handling practices meet state-mandated requirements for processing Texas state agency and public institution data.

Why Choose Us?

Partnering with Hicks Engineering gives your EdTech company a distinct advantage in the higher education market:

• Accelerated Procurement: Proactively addressing HECVAT, VPAT, and TX-RAMP requirements reduces friction in the sales process, helping you close deals faster.
• Trusted Partner Status: Demonstrate a verifiable commitment to security, privacy, and accessibility, building credibility and trust with discerning higher education clients.
• Reduced Risk & Liability: Mitigate legal and reputational risks associated with non-compliance in data privacy, security, and accessibility.
• Comprehensive Expertise: Benefit from our integrated knowledge spanning cybersecurity, privacy regulations (including FERPA, GDPR, TX-RAMP), and digital accessibility, all critical for EdTech success.
• Focused on Higher Ed: We understand the unique operational and regulatory environment of colleges and universities, ensuring our guidance is directly relevant to their needs.

Get Started

Position your EdTech solutions for success in the higher education market. Contact Us today to discuss how our specialized consulting services can help your company meet and exceed the compliance requirements of universities and colleges.