PRIA Logo™
117-s-1917117th CongressWALLET

K-12 Cybersecurity Act of 2021

Sponsored By: Senator Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

Became Law

Summary

Strengthen K-12 cybersecurity. This law creates a Department of Homeland Security initiative to study cyber risks to elementary and secondary schools and to publish voluntary recommendations and a training toolkit for school officials.

Show full summary
  • School leaders and IT staff get actionable materials. DHS must complete a study within 120 days, issue recommendations shortly after, and publish an online training toolkit to help schools implement those recommendations.
  • Students and school employees gain focused protections. The work targets risks to information systems, sensitive student and employee records, and security challenges tied to remote learning.
  • Teachers and local administrators help shape the guidance. The Director must consult teachers, school administrators, federal agencies, non‑federal cybersecurity experts, and private groups while developing the materials.
  • The guidance is public and optional. Findings, recommendations, and the toolkit will be posted on DHS’s website and schools may choose whether to adopt them.

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Cybersecurity help for K-12 schools

The law creates a K-12 cybersecurity initiative at DHS. DHS must study cyber risks to schools within 120 days of enactment. DHS also briefs Congress in that period. Within 60 days after the study, DHS issues cybersecurity recommendations and guidelines. Within 120 days after that, DHS posts an online training toolkit for school officials. DHS consults teachers, school leaders, federal partners, cybersecurity experts, and private groups. The study, recommendations, and toolkit are posted on DHS’s website. Using the guidance is voluntary for schools.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]

MI • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]

    FL • R

    Sponsored 5/27/2021

  • Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]

    NV • D

    Sponsored 6/21/2021

  • Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]

    LA • R

    Sponsored 6/21/2021

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation