The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has released their School Security Simulated Experiment (SIMEX) After-Action Report (AAR) following the conclusion of this event last August.
This two-week-long SIMEX focused on exploring and analyzing current and evolving security procedures and technologies to improve school security-primarily against active assailants. This SIMEX was a pilot event sponsored by CISA in collaboration with MITRE (a not-for-profit research and development organization) and George Mason University. Using virtual reality technology, this SIMEX specifically focused on evaluating three main variables and their effect on the outcome of an active shooter event that are outlined in the AAR.
The key findings and takeaways from this SIMEX are detailed in this AAR and were developed based on quantitative and qualitative data analysis collected throughout the event. The goal of these findings is to provide data-informed conclusions and recommendations regarding physical and operational security in K-12 schools in the hopes of informing policy and operational decisions at the state, district, and school level.
The AAR is currently posted on CISA's School Safety and Security webpage here: https://www.cisa.gov/publication/school-safety-and-security-resources. If you have any additional questions regarding this SIMEX effort or about the AAR, please do not hesitate to reach out to CISA's School Safety Taskforce: schoolsafety@hq.dhs.gov.
CISA has also released a fact sheet in support of this advisory for academic community members. Please find the link to this Fact Sheet here: Cyber Threats to K-12 Remote Learning Education | CISA
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Adam Lustig
Director, Center for Safe Schools
National School Boards Association
Alexandria, VA
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