---
title: Mark sensitive data attributes
description: Mark student and staff attributes as sensitive in SchoolDay so Privacy Shield can mask or exclude them during data sync with vendor applications.
---

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July 13, 2026

# Mark sensitive data attributes

## Identify which data fields Privacy Shield masks or excludes when syncing with vendor applications

Marking attributes as sensitive tells Privacy Shield which fields to mask or exclude when syncing data with vendor applications. Then [apply Privacy Shield to a data sync](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/apply-privacy-shield?hsLang=en) to enforce masking.

Caution: Default sensitive data settings fit most districts. Change them only if needed, or contact [support@schoolday.com](mailto:support@schoolday.com) first.

### Default sensitive attributes

The following attributes are marked as sensitive by default in all new SchoolDay districts.

| **Entity** | **Attributes marked sensitive by default** |
| --- | --- |
| Students | Last Name, First Name, Middle Name, Username, Email, Birth Date, Phone numbers |
| Teachers | Last Name, First Name, Middle Name, Username, Email, Phone numbers |
| Contacts | Last Name, First Name, Middle Name, Phone numbers, Email |

If your district's settings match this list, no changes are needed. Proceed to [Apply Privacy Shield](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/apply-privacy-shield?hsLang=en) to a data sync.

### Before you begin

- You must have Primary District Admin permissions.
- Marking attributes as sensitive does not immediately apply masking. You must also enable Privacy Shield in the data-sharing request and run a data import from your SIS.

### Mark attributes as sensitive

1. Go to **Data Quality** \> **Privacy Shield**.
2. (Optional) In the **Filter** dropdown, select a specific vendor application. If left empty, the settings apply to all applications. To apply different sensitive data settings per application, run this procedure once per app and select the app in the **Filter** dropdown each time.
3. Select an entity such as Students, Teachers, or Contacts.
4. Select the **Privacy Shield** checkbox next to each attribute you want to protect.
5. Click **Save**. Changes are not saved automatically.

Marked attributes will be masked or excluded from sync depending on the vendor's configuration. See [Privacy Shield overview.](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/privacy-shield-overview?hsLang=en)

### Remove sensitive marking from an attribute

1. Go to **Data Quality** \> **Privacy Shield**.
2. Select the entity that contains the attribute.
3. Clear the **Privacy Shield** checkbox next to the attribute.
4. Click **Save**.

**Caution:** Removing a sensitive marking reduces the scope of protection. If this attribute was contributing to a Privacy Shield level, the application's level will be automatically downgraded. See [Privacy Shield levels](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/privacy-shield-levels?hsLang=en).

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[Apply Privacy Shield to a data sync](https://help.schoolday.com/knowledge/apply-privacy-shield?hsLang=en)

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