EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT association OF TEXAS

On July 22, 2024, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released the K-12 School Security Guide Companion Product for School-Based Law Enforcement and School Resource Officers, a new resource to help school-based law enforcement and school resource officers support physical security planning and implementation efforts in K-12 communities.

School-based law enforcement and school resource officers work with school officials and community-based organizations to protect K-12 schools from a range of safety and security threats. They can also serve in important roles in assisting K-12 stakeholders with creating and implementing physical security plans.

Using key concepts and principles from CISA’s K-12 School Security Guide, this new resource assists school-based law enforcement and school resource officers in understanding and applying physical security guidance and best practices as it relates to their role in K-12 communities. The companion product includes examples of how school-based law enforcement and school resource officers can support the five core elements that comprise a school’s physical security system, participate in the school security planning process, and leverage the School Security Assessment Tool to help assess vulnerabilities across a K-12 campus. It also includes a series of next steps and accompanying resources to help school-based law enforcement and school resource officers support physical security planning and improvement initiatives within their K-12 communities.

This new product was developed as a companion to the broader K-12 School Security Guide Product Suite, which provides K-12 districts and campuses with resources, tools, and strategies to improve school physical security. Today’s release is the first in a series of school safety companion products that will be developed by CISA over the coming year. These products serve as streamlined and tailored guides for specific stakeholders within the K-12 and school safety communities to help them better understand and act upon key principles and guidance available through CISA’s school safety resources.

§  To access the CISA K-12 School Security Guide Companion, click here

§  To access the CISA K-12 School Security Guide, click here

§  To access the CISA K-12 School Security Guide Product Suite, click here

§  To access the CISA School Security Assessment Tool, click here