Security

Our Security Commitment

At Scholarship Edge, we understand that you're trusting us with sensitive personal and academic information. We've implemented enterprise-grade security measures to protect your data and maintain your trust.

Technical Security Measures

Data Encryption

• In Transit: All data transmitted to and from our servers is encrypted using TLS 1.3
• At Rest: Your personal information and documents are encrypted in our database
• Password Protection: Passwords are hashed using industry-standard bcrypt algorithms
• Session Security: Secure session management with encrypted tokens

Infrastructure Security

• Secure Hosting: Hosted on enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure
• Network Protection: Firewalls and intrusion detection systems
• Regular Updates: Automated security patches and system updates
• Backup Security: Encrypted backups with geographic distribution

Application Security

• CSRF Protection: Cross-site request forgery prevention
• Rate Limiting: Protection against brute force attacks
• Input Validation: Comprehensive data sanitization and validation
• SQL Injection Prevention: Parameterized queries and ORM protection

Account Security Features

Password Requirements

We enforce strong password policies to protect your account:

• Minimum 8 characters in length
• Must include uppercase and lowercase letters
• Must contain at least one number
• Must include at least one special character
• Cannot reuse recent passwords

Session Management

• Secure Sessions: Encrypted session tokens with expiration
• Automatic Logout: Sessions expire after periods of inactivity
• Device Tracking: Monitor active sessions across devices
• Suspicious Activity: Automatic logout on suspicious behavior

Data Handling Practices

Access Controls

• Principle of Least Privilege: Staff access limited to necessary functions only
• Role-Based Access: Different permission levels based on job requirements
• Audit Logs: All data access is logged and monitored
• Regular Reviews: Periodic access reviews and updates

File Upload Security

• File Type Validation: Only approved document types accepted
• Virus Scanning: All uploads scanned for malware
• Size Limits: File size restrictions to prevent abuse
• Secure Storage: Uploaded files stored in isolated, encrypted storage

Privacy Protection

Data Minimization

• We collect only information necessary for scholarship matching
• Optional fields clearly marked and never required
• Regular data purging of unnecessary information
• Automatic deletion of expired temporary data

Third-Party Security

• Vendor Screening: All third-party services undergo security review
• Data Processing Agreements: Contracts require strict data protection
• Limited Sharing: Data shared only when necessary for service delivery
• AI Services: OpenAI integration follows their enterprise security standards

Compliance and Standards

Regulatory Compliance

• FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act compliance
• COPPA: Children's Online Privacy Protection Act adherence
• GDPR: European data protection regulation compliance
• CCPA: California Consumer Privacy Act compliance

Security Standards

• OWASP Top 10 security practices implementation
• Regular security assessments and penetration testing
• Incident response procedures and documentation
• Security training for all team members

Your Security Responsibilities

Account Protection

• Strong Passwords: Use unique, complex passwords
• Keep Credentials Private: Never share your login information
• Secure Devices: Use updated browsers and operating systems
• Log Out: Always log out when using shared computers

Safe Practices

• Verify URLs: Always check you're on the official Scholarship Edge website
• Report Issues: Contact us immediately if you notice suspicious activity
• Update Information: Keep your contact information current for security notifications
• Review Activity: Regularly check your account for unauthorized changes

Incident Response

If You Suspect a Security Issue

1. Immediately: Change your password and log out of all devices
2. Contact Us: Report the incident using the contact information below
3. Document: Note any suspicious activity or unauthorized changes
4. Monitor: Watch for unusual activity on your accounts

Our Response Process

• Immediate Assessment: Rapid evaluation of security incidents
• Containment: Quick action to prevent further compromise
• Investigation: Thorough analysis of the incident
• Communication: Transparent updates on resolution progress
• Prevention: Implementation of measures to prevent recurrence

Security Contact

For security-related concerns or to report potential vulnerabilities: