People need access to data. Individual students and job seekers, families, educators, communities, and policymakers must have the information they need to foster successful journeys through education and the workforce. Robust statewide longitudinal data systems (SLDSs) can be designed to prioritize meaningful access to data but must also protect individuals' privacy. Data is a powerful tool to guide decisionmaking, and leaders must prioritize safeguarding that data. The federal government has a role in prioritizing student data privacy and security and building trust in the appropriate use of student information. The Data Quality Campaign offers the following context to frame the discussion about what the federal government can do to safeguard student data.