ERIC Number: ED615731
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Oct
Pages: 42
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Critical Infrastructure Protection: Education Should Take Additional Steps to Help Protect K-12 Schools from Cyber Threats. Report to Congressional Requesters. GAO-22-105024
Marinos, Nick
US Government Accountability Office
When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of schools across the nation, many K-12 schools moved from in-person to remote education, increasing their dependence on IT and making them potentially more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Education Facilities, including K-12 schools, is one of the nation's critical infrastructure subsectors. Several agencies have a role in protecting the subsector. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) was asked to review cybersecurity in K-12 schools. The objective of this report is to determine the extent that federal agencies have assisted schools in protecting themselves from cyber threats. To do so, GAO identified laws and federal guidance that specify the roles and responsibilities of federal agencies to assist schools in protecting against cyber threats. GAO analyzed documentation of the types of products and services federal agencies have in place to identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover from attacks. In addition, GAO interviewed federal officials about such products and services they offer to K-12 schools.
Descriptors: COVID-19, Pandemics, School Closing, Online Courses, Educational Technology, Electronic Learning, Computer Security, Elementary Secondary Education, Federal Government, Government Role, Federal Legislation, Public Agencies, Crime Prevention, Risk Management, Information Security, Privacy, Parent Rights, Educational Legislation, Student Records, Intervention, Terrorism, National Security
US Government Accountability Office. 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20548. Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov
Publication Type: Reports - Research; Legal/Legislative/Regulatory Materials
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education
Audience: Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: US Government Accountability Office
Identifiers - Laws, Policies, & Programs: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act 1974
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A