Is Your School Board Ready for Bill 194?
Ontario’s new legislation demands school boards meet strict cybersecurity and privacy standards. Don’t wait—know where you stand with a free readiness assessment.
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Understand your compliance status before the legislation takes effect
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Clear, written report and detailed gap analysis
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Full security audit tailored to Ontario school boards
Free Bill 194 Assessments
Our free Bill 194 Readiness Assessment gives you a detailed snapshot of where your school board stands today—covering everything from cybersecurity posture to data privacy controls.
Don't Wait to get Burnt. Start Now.
Get a head-start on your cybersecurity posture with this assessment provided free of charge by GW Advisors, partners of Fidalia Networks.
Avoid Costly Surprises
Know exactly where your board is exposed—before regulators or cybercriminals find out.
Clarity on Compliance
Get a detailed report that breaks down how Bill 194 applies to your board and what steps you need to take.
Ontario Expertise
Work with a local team that’s been guiding public sector clients for over two decades.
Bill 194: What It Means for Ontario School Boards
Under Ontario’s Bill 194, school boards are formally recognized as public sector entities and are expected to meet new standards in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence (AI) management, and the protection of digital information—especially data related to minors.
While Bill 194 received Royal Assent in November 2024, the full scope of its requirements will be detailed in future regulations. Here’s a breakdown of key areas school boards need to be ready for:
1. Cybersecurity Requirements
School boards are expected to implement comprehensive cybersecurity programs. These may include:
- Defined roles and responsibilities
- Progress tracking and reporting
- Education and awareness initiatives
- Incident response and recovery measures
The Lieutenant Governor in Council has the authority to establish specific regulations for these programs, which are expected in upcoming directives.
2. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Systems Management
For school boards using AI systems, Bill 194 anticipates the following obligations:
- Public transparency around AI usage
- Implementation of accountability frameworks
- Risk management measures including reporting and documentation
- Designation of an individual responsible for oversight
Final requirements will be confirmed through future regulatory guidance.
3. Protection of Digital Information for Individuals Under 18
Special attention is given to the digital privacy of minors. Bill 194 enables regulations that may:
- Define how digital information of minors is collected, used, retained, and disclosed
- Mandate reporting obligations for school boards
- Restrict specific data practices under certain conditions
These provisions aim to reinforce student privacy in an increasingly digital learning environment.
4. Amendments to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
Bill 194 introduces changes that directly impact school boards:
- Privacy Impact Assessments (PIAs): Required before collecting personal information, including disclosure of purpose, legal authority, data type, and protection mechanisms.
- Breach Notification: School boards must report any data breach posing significant risk to both the Privacy Commissioner and affected individuals.
These changes align privacy oversight with modern digital risks and compliance expectations.
Book Your Bill 194 Readiness Assessment Now.
Bill 194 is Ontario legislation requiring public sector entities—including school boards—to implement formal cybersecurity programs and conduct privacy impact assessments. If your board isn’t ready, you could face compliance issues and data risks.
Fill out the form here to start your readiness journey.
The assessment is free and comes with zero obligation. If you choose to engage us for further implementation support, that’s entirely up to you.