The policies that guide the definition of IT-related protocols and procedures are also affected by rules that regulate school operations. Because many IT users are children, and much of the data collected and stored by schools are about children, school and IT leaders are obligated to conform to certain laws and regulations that vary by region. While all IT professionals are aware of the need for network and data security, these special considerations can be unfamiliar to IT professionals who come to schools from other businesses and industries other than education. This is another reason for collaborative design of school IT network security practices the best procedures are designed by educators (who know students) and school leaders (who know regulations) along with IT professionals (who know network security).