[117th Congress Public Law 47]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[[Page 135 STAT. 397]]
Public Law 117-47
117th Congress
An Act
To establish a K-12 education cybersecurity initiative, and for other
purposes. <<NOTE: Oct. 8, 2021 - [S. 1917]>>
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled, <<NOTE: K-12
Cybersecurity Act of 2021. 6 USC 652 note.>>
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``K-12 Cybersecurity Act of 2021''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) K-12 educational institutions across the United States
are facing cyber attacks.
(2) Cyber attacks place the information systems of K-12
educational institutions at risk of possible disclosure of
sensitive student and employee information, including--
(A) grades and information on scholastic
development;
(B) medical records;
(C) family records; and
(D) personally identifiable information.
(3) Providing K-12 educational institutions with resources
to aid cybersecurity efforts will help K-12 educational
institutions prevent, detect, and respond to cyber events.
SEC. 3. K-12 EDUCATION CYBERSECURITY INITIATIVE.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Cybersecurity risk.--The term ``cybersecurity risk'' has
the meaning given the term in section 2209 of the Homeland
Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 659).
(2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of
Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security.
(3) Information system.--The term ``information system'' has
the meaning given the term in section 3502 of title 44, United
States Code.
(4) K-12 educational institution.--The term ``K-12
educational institution'' means an elementary school or a
secondary school, as those terms are defined in section 8101 of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
(b) <<NOTE: Deadlines.>> Study.--
(1) <<NOTE: Evaluations.>> In general.--Not later than 120
days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director, in
accordance with subsection (g)(1), shall conduct a study on the
specific cybersecurity risks facing K-12 educational
institutions that--
(A) <<NOTE: Analysis.>> analyzes how identified
cybersecurity risks specifically impact K-12 educational
institutions;
[[Page 135 STAT. 398]]
(B) includes an evaluation of the challenges K-12
educational institutions face in--
(i) securing--
(I) information systems owned,
leased, or relied upon by K-12
educational institutions; and
(II) sensitive student and employee
records; and
(ii) implementing cybersecurity protocols;
(C) identifies cybersecurity challenges relating to
remote learning; and
(D) evaluates the most accessible ways to
communicate cybersecurity recommendations and tools.
(2) Congressional briefing.--Not later than 120 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Director shall provide a
Congressional briefing on the study conducted under paragraph
(1).
(c) <<NOTE: Deadline. Guidelines.>> Cybersecurity
Recommendations.--Not later than 60 days after the completion of the
study required under subsection (b)(1), the Director, in accordance with
subsection (g)(1), shall develop recommendations that include
cybersecurity guidelines designed to assist K-12 educational
institutions in facing the cybersecurity risks described in subsection
(b)(1), using the findings of the study.
(d) <<NOTE: Deadline.>> Online Training Toolkit.--Not later than 120
days after the completion of the development of the recommendations
required under subsection (c), the Director shall develop an online
training toolkit designed for officials at K-12 educational institutions
to--
(1) educate the officials about the cybersecurity
recommendations developed under subsection (c); and
(2) <<NOTE: Strategy.>> provide strategies for the
officials to implement the recommendations developed under
subsection (c).
(e) <<NOTE: Web posting.>> Public Availability.--The Director shall
make available on the website of the Department of Homeland Security
with other information relating to school safety the following:
(1) The findings of the study conducted under subsection
(b)(1).
(2) The cybersecurity recommendations developed under
subsection (c).
(3) The online training toolkit developed under subsection
(d).
(f) Voluntary Use.--The use of the cybersecurity recommendations
developed under (c) by K-12 educational institutions shall be voluntary.
(g) Consultation.--
(1) In general.--In the course of the conduction of the
study required under subsection (b)(1) and the development of
the recommendations required under subsection (c), the Director
shall consult with individuals and entities focused on
cybersecurity and education, as appropriate, including--
(A) teachers;
(B) school administrators;
(C) Federal agencies;
(D) non-Federal cybersecurity entities with
experience in education issues; and
(E) private sector organizations.
[[Page 135 STAT. 399]]
(2) Inapplicability of faca.--The Federal Advisory Committee
Act (5 U.S.C App.) shall not apply to any consultation under
paragraph (1).
Approved October 8, 2021.
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY--S. 1917 (H.R. 4691):
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HOUSE REPORTS: No. 117-122 (Comm. on Homeland Security) accompanying
H.R. 4691.
SENATE REPORTS: No. 117-32 (Comm. on Homeland Security and Governmental
Affairs).
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 167 (2021):
Aug. 9, considered and passed Senate.
Sept. 29, considered and passed House.
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