Blackboard Launches Award-Winning Learning Management System on FedRAMP-Authorized AWS GovCloud (US)

AWS GovCloud (US) further enhances safety and security for government agencies using Blackboard Learn to provide organizational training, preserve institutional knowledge, and close skills gaps among employees

News provided by

Blackboard Inc.

Apr 10, 2017, 10:03 ET

WASHINGTON, April 10, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackboard today announced the availability of its flagship learning management system (LMS), Blackboard Learn, on Amazon Web Services (AWS) GovCloud (US), an isolated AWS region designed to host sensitive data and regulated workloads in the cloud. Government agencies, the military and state and local governments can now continue to deliver their mission-critical online learning programs within a more secure cloud environment.

The availability of Learn on AWS GovCloud (US) marks a critical step forward in Blackboard's journey to full Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) accreditation, further helping the company's customers support their U.S. government compliance requirements. AWS is one of the first cloud service providers to meet the FedRAMP High baseline, a U.S. government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services. FedRAMP High gives U.S. government agencies the ability to leverage the AWS Cloud for highly sensitive workloads, including Personal Identifiable Information (PII), sensitive patient records, financial data, law enforcement data, Federal tax information, and other Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

"For over 10 years, Blackboard Learn has played a crucial role in the Army's efforts to provide excellent support in education and training for soldiers, anytime and anywhere," said Helen A. Remily, Director, TRADOC Capability Manager at The Army Distributed Learning Program. "Having the ability to deploy this invaluable capability on the FedRAMP-certified AWS GovCloud (US) gives us the added confidence that our most sensitive data is safe and secure at all times."

"Blackboard is committed to helping government agencies deliver timely, mission-critical training and advanced educational opportunities to ensure success," said Alex Kissal, Vice President of Blackboard Government Solutions. "Having our leading learning management system available on the AWS GovCloud (US) region will further support our customers in building engaging, secure learning environments for training and development."

"Blackboard's increasing use of the cloud, specifically AWS GovCloud (US), means more lifelong learning opportunities for U.S. government personnel," said Teresa Carlson, Vice President, Worldwide Public Sector, AWS. "Education and government need secure solutions to protect personal information and research data, and this is a great example of how the AWS Cloud helps Blackboard achieve these goals."

The Blackboard Learn platform offers a continuous virtual learning solution designed to be agile and flexible enough to adapt to today's learning challenges and those that may arise in the future. In contrast to many other learning management systems, which only deliver content to learners, the Blackboard Learn platform uses extensive collaboration and interactivity to fully engage learners with activities like group projects and discussions, wikis, blogs, and the ability to incorporate a wide range of multimedia content. These elements facilitate continuous and social learning, which further heighten learner engagement.

The Blackboard Learn platform has demonstrated its pedagogical expertise in the government environment for more than a decade and is a critical part of learning programs for organizations demanding the utmost in performance and security, including those in the defense and civilian community.

For additional information on Blackboard solutions for government agencies, visit www.blackboard.com/gov.

About Blackboard Inc.
Our mission is to partner with the global education community to enable learner and institutional success, leveraging innovative technologies and services. With an unmatched understanding of the world of the learner, the most comprehensive student-success solutions, and the greatest capacity for innovation, Blackboard is education's partner in change.

Contact:
Shawnee Cohn, Blackboard Inc.
[email protected], 240-888-5687

SOURCE Blackboard Inc.