The FCC has adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking proposing to create a three-year Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program within the FCC’s Universal Service Fund. This pilot program would provide up to $200 million to support cybersecurity and advanced firewall services for eligible schools and libraries. Currently, the E-Rate program only provides funding for basic firewall services.
Interested K-12 schools and libraries would apply to be a participant in the program, similar to the Connected Care Pilot Program, by submitting an application explaining how they would use program funds and providing information about their proposed cybersecurity and advanced firewall projects.
Comments will be due 30 days after Federal Register publication, which has not yet occurred, and reply comments will be due 60 days after Federal Register publication.
