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The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has issued a new guide aimed at helping K-12 schools collaborate with law enforcement and community partners to effectively handle anonymous school threats.
Following high-profile school shootings, threats often surge. For example, two weeks after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, at least 638 threats were reported. Similarly, in the month following the Apalachee High School incident on Sept. 4, hundreds of threats led to the arrest of more than 700 students. To address this growing concern, CISA has developed several toolkits, including a comprehensive guide to help schools manage and recover from such threats.
The “Anonymized Threat Response Guidance: A Reference Guide for K-12 Schools” offers K-12 stakeholders strategies for working with law enforcement and building a structured approach to handle threats.
READ: Arkansas Invests Total of $100 Million to Enhance School Security Amid Rising Threats
Proactive Steps to Prevent or Mitigate Anonymous School Threats
To reduce the likelihood and impact of anonymous threats, CISA recommends that schools:
- Build partnerships with first responders through regular communication and joint training sessions.
- Engage with police, fire, and EMS teams to ensure cohesive planning.
- Develop an Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) with an annex specifically for anonymous threats.
- Regularly train staff on the EOP annex, review it with police and responders, and update it annually.
- Conduct developmentally-appropriate emergency drills, inviting local law enforcement to participate.
- Establish protocols for family communications during emergencies, aligned with law enforcement communications.
- Create a multidisciplinary threat assessment team that meets regularly to address and manage threats, keeping team members trained and up-to-date.
- Ensure mental health resources are available to support the school community.
Actions to Take During an Anonymous School Threat
While preventative measures are critical, not all anonymous threats can be anticipated. During an incident, CISA advises the following steps:
- Treat the threat as credible and engage law enforcement to determine the required on-site response.
- Implement extra safety precautions and balance community needs when deciding how visibly to respond.
- Collect information on the threat from all sources, including online platforms, and include law enforcement in the investigation.
- Provide frequent, clear updates to families and adjust response actions based on ongoing assessments.
- Increase or decrease response measures as necessary, maintaining timely communication with families.
- Work closely with law enforcement to decide when to lift any emergency protocols (e.g., lockdowns) and notify families when the threat is resolved.
Post-Threat Actions for Recovery and Improvement
After a threat incident, whether credible or a hoax, CISA recommends schools:
- Provide mental health resources to address any resulting trauma and stress.
- Hold a community feedback session to assess responses and gather input.
- Conduct an after-action review, involving both internal and external partners, to identify successes and areas for improvement.
- Update the EOP as needed, and communicate new safety measures to the school community.
- Continue to keep the community informed on ongoing safety initiatives and available mental health resources.
