Creating the systems needed to sustainably measure the return on investment of non-degree credential (NDC) programs is a long-term effort. It requires extensive planning, sustained investment, and meticulous back-end development.

Over the past 18 months, CredLens has built the foundational infrastructure to collect verified learner-level data and match it against verified sources. This outcomes insights platform equips credential issuers  – including two- and four-year colleges, training providers, professional and industry associations, licensing boards, and employers – with clear, actionable insights on their learners’ employment and economic outcomes. Funders can use these insights to make informed decisions and support programs that demonstrably expand economic and professional opportunity.

Setting up a national data trust

Our work to establish the CredLens National Data Trust began with defining the security requirements for an infrastructure capable of maintaining  the highest standards of data privacy – worthy of the trust of credential issuers who share their learner completion and achievement data.

To live up to our commitment as a data steward and deliver on our promise of trustworthiness and transparency, we have developed comprehensive policies and procedures governing data collection, storage, access, and use. We also regularly engage security experts and our advisory boards to ensure that the CredLens National Data Trust evolves with emerging security standards. 

Our commitment is affirmed by earning the following certifications:

SOC 2 Type 2: Annual independent audit by a licensed CPA firm including process review, control tests, and demonstration of ongoing monitoring.

ISO/IEC 27001:2022: Compliance with global requirements for information security management system (ISMS), supported by  ongoing risk assessments, audits, and data handling best practices to safeguard Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and ensure overall data confidentiality, integrity, and availability.

ISO/IEC 27018:2019 extends ISO 27001, providing enhanced privacy controls for protecting Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in public cloud environments.‍

TX-RAMP (Texas Risk and Authorization Management Program): Certification to manage data for Texas state agencies, including higher education, through rigorous assessment and compliance reporting.

Navigating data–matching sources

Delivering meaningful insights to  credential issuers and policymakers requires more than infrastructure – it depends on careful management of diverse data sources.. 

CredLens has developed relationships with public and private providers to access the data needed to deliver earnings, employment, and education insights. We continually expand and refine these data elements while ensuring every data point is understood in context, from its provenance to its refresh cycle. This rigor ensures stakeholders receive insights they can understand and trust.  

Learn more about CredLens collects and works with data

How CredLens is different — and why it matters

With a national spotlight on Workforce Pell and other state initiatives to expand economic opportunity through alternative education pathways, the need for outcomes data for short-term programs is critical. Leveraging the verified data in the trust against data-matching sources, the CredLens platform provides credential issuers the evidence they need to demonstrate the value of their programs.

Currently, we provide longitudinal insights across multiple categories, with future plans to include counterfactuals as well as industry and regional benchmarks.

By building a resource for all stakeholders, we are strengthening the non-degree ecosystem, ultimately creating more opportunity for learners and the workforce alike.

Let’s build the future of the credential ecosystem — together.