[Mail_supt] FW: Cybersecurity Pilot Program Announced

[Thor Sage]

Good morning!
We are happy to share the information below from USAC and are looking forward to helping schools leverage these dollars to reduce the cost of cybersecurity in the K12 sector.  We will be pushing hard to see cybersecurity funding become a regular part of the Erate program in the future.
Thank you,
Thor


Thor Sage
Executive Director
Miami Valley Educational Computer Association
937-767-1468  x3101
[http://www.mveca.org/images/logo.gif]<http://www.mveca.org/>       [i] <https://www.linkedin.com/company/mveca/>
Not-for-profit Technology Services for Education and Local Governments


From: USAC <DoNotReply at usac.org>
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2024 10:37 AM
To: Thor Sage <sage at mveca.org>
Subject: Cybersecurity Pilot Program Announced

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FCC Announces Schools and Libraries
Cybersecurity Pilot Program


June 12, 2024


Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a Report and Order <https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=8abd5d67e99eb6dc841e52c055742596d4c0226d0ee4e7f81a5de120c8b30713fa45cd04e388a1e495bbc637d53edb5ff62d29c112e06a59> establishing the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program (Pilot Program) to gather the data needed to better understand whether and how universal service funds could be used to support the cybersecurity needs of schools and libraries.

The Pilot Program aims to address cybersecurity threats facing schools and libraries, including being targeted by malicious actors who seek to steal personal information, compromise online accounts, cause online harm or embarrassment, or otherwise disable/disrupt critical networks that provide broadband connectivity.
Pilot Program Overview
The three-year Pilot Program, to be administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC), with oversight by the Commission, provides up to $200 million in Universal Service Fund support to eligible schools and libraries to defray the cost of eligible cybersecurity services and equipment. The Pilot Program will follow many of the processes used in the E-Rate program, including competitive bidding, requests for eligible service and equipment, and a reimbursement process.

The FCC and USAC will offer robust training to help interested parties navigate the Pilot Program’s selection and application process. Further training will also be provided to program participants regarding the Pilot Program’s competitive bidding, funding application, and reimbursement processes.
Apply for the Pilot Program
This fall, the FCC will open an application filing window for entities that are interested in participating in the Pilot Program. Eligible schools, libraries, and consortia of schools and libraries will be able to apply to participate in the Pilot Program through a two-part process, using a newly created FCC Form 484. In Part One, interested applicants will share information about their school, library, or consortia and the type of cybersecurity services and equipment they would request in the Pilot Program. If selected to participate in the Pilot Program, participants will be required to provide more detailed information about their cybersecurity experiences in Part Two of the application.

From the applicants who complete the FCC Form 484, USAC and the FCC will select a diverse array of schools, libraries, and consortia to participate in the Pilot Program.
Stay Informed
To learn more about the Pilot Program, including its timeline and trainings, visit USAC’s website<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=8abd5d67e99eb6dcf1ef2e7de121428c73db3be1027bc5c85154a8a5b6b99fe1e9148e43be616276fee830fc69c368c54c00cb257eb408c7> and sign up for Pilot Program emails<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=8abd5d67e99eb6dce16f65de17dc23755745188c33cd097df4e4372bbc4cb79b62642087d1d1446a95a715f518333008c4ff92ee1fb09e11>.  Interested applicants can also visit the FCC’s Cybersecurity web page<https://click.outreach.usac.org/?qs=8abd5d67e99eb6dc9a080aa3ae7116b3f7e0ccfbfe922acf32a1e1435c7b674ba9ab53c101d679232b606fdd5efbaf57abbbcaa9865cbea3>.


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