--- title: The importance of Safer Technologies 4 Schools | Intellischool description: Australian schools have much to consider when it comes to ensuring data security and cloud-based data analytics. ST4S helps simplify due diligence. image: https://blog.intellischool.co/hubfs/data-security.jpg --- [![Intellischool Logo - Color](https://blog.intellischool.co/hubfs/Intellischool%20Logo%20-%20Color.svg)](https://www.intellischool.co?hsLang=en) - Products ## Solutions for schools Our products are freeing educators from managing data, and shifting focus to improving from it. ### [Analytics Analytics for schools, embedded into everyday teaching and learning.](https://www.intellischool.co/en/analytics?hsLang=en) ### [Data Ops Automated data ops for schools. Reduce busywork, increase efficiency.](https://www.intellischool.co/en/data-ops?hsLang=en) ### [ID Identity management for your entire school community.](https://intellischool.co/en/id?hsLang=en) ### [Enterprise Powerful data aggregation, analytics and automation for entire groups of schools.](https://intellischool.co/en/enterprise?hsLang=en) - Integrations ## Integrations Break down data silos between different applications, with 60+ out-of-the-box integrations. ### [Canvas Embed contextual analytics directly into the Canvas LMS interface.](https://intellischool.co/en/integrations/canvas-instructure?hsLang=en) ### [Schoolbox Unify and analyse data from across your school directly in Schoolbox.](https://intellischool.co/en/integrations/schoolbox?hsLang=en) ### [SIMON Point-and-go integration for primary and secondary schools.](https://intellischool.co/en/integrations/simon?hsLang=en) ### [View all There's plenty more to see! Check out our full catalogue of integrations.](https://intellischool.co/en/integrations?hsLang=en) - Our company ## Our company [SIGN IN](https://platform.intellischool.co) [CONTACT US](https://www.intellischool.co/en/contact-us?hsLang=en) Data Analytics # The importance of Safer Technologies 4 Schools in your school analytics buying process In today's cloud-first world, Australian schools have much to consider when it comes to ensuring the security of their ... [Dave Philp](https://blog.intellischool.co/author/dave-philp) Oct 30, 2021 --- In today's cloud-first world, Australian schools have much to consider when it comes to ensuring the security of their data. School leaders must be across who, how, why and when data is accessed. With the introduction of so many cloud-based services, the visibility of this information is often obscured. If your school is investigating a [school analytics solution](https://www.intellischool.com.au/k12/albitros) (or any other EdTech product) you must not only consider your data security obligations for cloud products like [Intellischool](https://www.intellischool.com.au), but also where product development and support teams are physically located - regardless of whether the product is on-premises or cloud-based.   ## What is "Safer Technologies 4 Schools"? [Safer Technologies 4 Schools](https://st4s.edu.au/) (ST4S) is a national privacy and security initiative specifically designed to assist Australian schools in their decision making process when adopting a new technology platform. The initiative is administered by [Education Services Australia](https://esa.edu.au/) (ESA) and was developed in collaboration with all Australian state, territory, Catholic and independent school sectors. It provides a transparent assessment that requires EdTech vendors to meet certain standards, and makes reports on assessments available to schools via their local education jurisdiction authority (such as the state department of education, Catholic education office, or local independent schools association).   ## Why is ST4S important? EdTech vendors that have completed an ST4S assessment display a commitment to meeting the data privacy standards mandated by the Australian Privacy Principles, the relevant Privacy Acts, and the additional expectations for data security in the primary and secondary education sector. ST4S reports available to schools provide a reliable, thorough, and accurate risk measurement instrument that should be reviewed whenever a new EdTech solution is being considered for implementation.   ## What is covered in the assessment? The assessment process for ST4S is extremely detailed. The team at ESA requires EdTech vendors to complete a thorough questionnaire that covers: - **Who the vendor is**, including company details; - **Security**, in-depth, including - product functionality, - data hosting and storage locations, - technical components, - logging of interactions, - access control, - staffing, background checks and staff locations, - testing and development processes, - quality assurance and recovery plans, - incident management, - data deletion and retention, - compliance controls, and - governance requirements; - **Privacy**, in-depth, including data privacy, processes for managing data requests, and privacy control functions; and - **Interoperability** with other systems. Once the questionnaire has been completed, EdTech vendors are required to provide detailed evidence to support the answers provided in the questionnaire.   ## Has Intellischool completed an ST4S assessment? Yes, Intellischool has completed an ST4S assessment for the [Intellischool Data Platform](https://www.intellischool.com.au/k12/data-platform), the technology that underpins our [school cloud analytics service, Albitros](https://www.intellischool.com.au/k12/albitros). As the report is produced and owned by ESA, copies of our ST4S report must be requested through your [local education jurisdiction authority](https://blog.intellischool.co/the-importance-of-safer-technologies-4-schools-intellischool#how-can-i-get-copies-of-st4s-reports). Intellischool participated in an ST4S assessment in 2021, and will complete re-assessments as required by the ST4S Team to ensure that our assessment outcome remains current.   ## Is completing an ST4S assessment mandatory for EdTech vendors? No, completing the assessment is not mandatory. However, if an EdTech provider has not completed or doesn't disclose any information about their ST4S assessment, you should ask: - When will they be completing the assessment? - If they are not planning to complete the assessment, why not?   ## How can I get copies of ST4S reports? To request a copy of Intellischool's ST4S assessment report, or any other EdTech assessment report, check your state authority's information hub, or reach out to your local authority listed below. | | Catholic | Independent | Public | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | NSW | [Catholic Schools NSW](https://www.csnsw.catholic.edu.au/contact/) | [AIS NSW](https://www.aisnsw.edu.au/contact-us) | [DET Information Security](mailto:information.security@det.nsw.edu.au?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) | | NT | [Catholic Education NT](mailto:admin.ceo@nt.catholic.edu.au?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) | [AIS NT](https://www.aisnt.asn.au/contact-us) | [DoE Cloud Systems](mailto:CloudSystems.DoE@ntschools.net?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) | | QLD | [Queensland Catholic Education Commission](mailto:ed@qcec.catholic.edu.au?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) | [Independent Schools Queensland](https://www.isq.qld.edu.au/contact-us/) | [QED Risk Reviews](mailto:riskreviews@qed.qld.gov.au?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) | | SA | [Catholic Education SA](mailto:info@cesa.catholic.edu.au?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) | [AISSA](https://www.ais.sa.edu.au/contact-us/) | [Education ICT Cyber Security](mailto:Education.ICTCyberSecurity@sa.gov.au?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) | | TAS | [Catholic Education Tasmania](mailto:ceo@catholic.tas.edu.au?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) | [Independent Schools Tasmania](https://independentschools.tas.edu.au/contact) | [DoE Security](mailto:security@education.tas.gov.au?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) | | VIC | [Catholic Education Commission of Victoria](mailto:secretary@cecv.catholic.edu.au?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) | [Independent Schools Victoria](https://is.vic.edu.au/contact-us/) | [DoE InfoSafe](mailto:infosafe@education.vic.gov.au?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) | | WA | [Catholic Education WA](https://www.cewa.edu.au/site/contact-us/) | [AISWA](https://www.ais.wa.edu.au/contact-us) | [DoE Privacy Office](mailto:privacy@education.wa.edu.au?subject=ST4S%20report%20request%20for%20Intellischool&body=Hello%2C%0D%0A%0D%0ACould%20I%20please%20request%20a%20copy%20of%20the%20Safer%20Technologies%204%20Schools%20report%20for%20Intellischool%20be%20forwarded%20at%20your%20earliest%20convenience%3F%0D%0A%0D%0A%0D%0AThank%20you!) |   [Data Analytics](https://blog.intellischool.co/tag/data-analytics) [Data Security](https://blog.intellischool.co/tag/data-security) [Compliance](https://blog.intellischool.co/tag/compliance) [Australia](https://blog.intellischool.co/tag/australia) ## Similar posts Albitros ### [What is data visualisation, and why is it important?](https://blog.intellischool.co/what-is-data-visualisation-and-why-is-it-important?hsLang=en) Data visualisation is the representation of data in a graphical format. Good visualisations are easy to understand, and should convey a message or... Dave Philp Jul 7, 2021 Australia ### [Leveraging NAPLAN Insights for Educational Growth with Intellischool](https://blog.intellischool.co/leveraging-naplan-insights-for-educational-growth-with-intellischool?hsLang=en) Use NAPLAN insights with Intellischool Analytics to improve teaching, student results, and educational success via data analysis. Ruby Highnam Jul 27, 2025 Tips for Teachers ### [The top 7 best practices for coding your school timetable](https://blog.intellischool.co/top-7-best-practices-coding-school-timetables?hsLang=en) Ever wondered the best way to structure the timetable codes at your school? I've put together the top 7 things to consider when developing your codes. Dave Philp Mar 8, 2022 ### Want to know when we post new stuff? We post about new products, enhancements, and partnerships on our blog. Be the first to know by subscribing. 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