The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced plans to provide up to $200 million to help schools and libraries strengthen their cybersecurity systems.
This funding is part of the new Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program, which assesses whether long-term support for these initiatives is needed. The money will come from the Universal Service Fund (USF), a pool funded by telecommunications companies. Schools and libraries that join the program can use the funds to cover expenses like advanced firewalls, identity and access management tools, malware protection, and VPN services.
Eligible participants for this pilot program include those already part of the FCC’s E-rate program, which provides affordable internet access. The application process is expected to open this fall, with the FCC focusing on selecting a diverse range of schools, including those from rural and urban areas, and prioritizing low-income and Tribal applicants.
This funding is a response to the increasing number of cyberattacks on schools and local governments. K12 Security Information eXchange, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting schools from cyber threats, recorded over 1,600 incidents in K-12 schools between 2016 and 2022.
