Legislation to strengthen school cybersecurity resources introduced

U.S. Reps. Zach Nunn (R-IA) and Doris Matsui (D-CA) have introduced legislation that would help schools prevent cyber attacks by improving information sharing.

The legislation, the Enhancing K-12 Cybersecurity Act, would help schools stay ahead of cyber security threats, the law makers said and give educators the tools they need to keep classrooms open and student data protected.

“As a 20-year Air Force intelligence officer and former White House National Security Council member, I’ve spent my whole career tracking threats like these,” Nunn said. “Now they’re hitting our classrooms — shutting schools down and putting Iowa students’ personal information in the wrong hands. No school should have to fight that alone. Our bipartisan bill gives K-12 schools across the country the backup they need to stop these attacks and protect their students.”

Officials said schools face a rise in cyber attacks as classrooms integrate more technology into classrooms. According to the U.S. Department of Education, k-12 schools experience an average of five cyber threats every week. Some attacks have forced schools to cancel classes, interrupt instruction for days, and cost districts up to $1 million to recover.

“When I thought about my own grandchildren going to school, I wanted what every parent and grandparent wants: for them to be safe and focused on learning,” Matsui said. “No family should have to worry that a cyberattack could expose a child’s personal information or disrupt their education. This bill gives schools the tools, training, and support they need to protect students’ data, help teachers keep classrooms running, and give administrators stronger resources to prevent and respond to cyberattacks.”

Officials said the legislation would create a K-12 Cybersecurity Technology Improvement Program to find and fix vulnerabilities in schools; implement a School Cybersecurity Information Exchange for schools to access real-time threat alerts, best practices and federal cybersecurity resources; and develop a voluntary Cybersecurity Incident Registry to help school learn about trends and responses to cyber attacks.

“Schools are increasingly at risk from cybersecurity threats. NAESP is proud to endorse the Enhancing K-12 Cybersecurity Act, a bill which would give our members practical tools, information, and resources from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to help pre-K-8 school leaders protect student data and privacy and to avoid costly school disruptions,” L. Earl Franks, executive director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals. “We commend Representatives Matsui and Nunn and Senators Blackburn and Warner for their bipartisan leadership on this critically important issue.”

Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Mark Warner (D-VA). The bill is endorsed by the National Principals Association, the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the Council of Chief State School Officers, the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, the State Educational Technology Directors Association, and the Consortium for School Networking.