Strategies, Regulations and Mechanisms for Protecting Student Data in University Digital Repositories: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The digitalization of educational services has increased the exposure of student information to security and privacy risks. This research addresses the need to understand the strategies, regulations, and technologies used to protect data in university digital repositories. A systematic literature review was conducted in recognized databases (WOS, Scopus, and ACM), from which 30 studies meeting the inclusion criteria were selected. The findings showed that higher education institutions face complex challenges in risk management, regulatory compliance (such as GDPR), and the adoption of international standards such as ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002. Additionally, emerging methods such as homomorphic encryption and secure multiparty computation were identified, as well as vulnerability analysis tools that improve system security. Digital curation, awareness programs, and backup policies were also highlighted as essential components. Overall, the results suggest that protecting student data requires a comprehensive approach that combines legal frameworks, technical capabilities, and organizational culture. This review provides a solid conceptual foundation for developing effective strategies for educational data governance and recommends future research in real-world implementation scenarios.