FCC Cybersecurity pilot program

In a rush? Download our one-pager. No email needed.

In June, the FCC announced a $200m funded project to pilot cybersecurity funding for schools and libraries. This is a three-year program to evaluate whether a fully funded cybersecurity program could facilitate access to broadband services funded as Category 1 services under E-RATE.

The program will feel similar to E-RATE and will go through a similar RFP process, however since it is a pilot program, eligible schools, libraries, library systems, and consortia will need to file a Form 484 to apply for participation. The FCC will select a mix of large and small organizations from rural and urban areas but will prioritize the 90% funded organizations that would benefit from the program the most.

The application process is thorough, and interested organizations will need to provide a robust summary of their current cybersecurity program, the gaps in the program they’ll address with this funding, what their priorities are, and how they’ll measure the success of the investment. That’s a key differentiator, measuring and reporting on the cybersecurity services selected will be a major decision criterion in selecting a vendor.

Applications are scheduled to open September 17th and are due November 1st, EPC opened on August 26th for administrative updates.

Eligible funding will mirror the funding eligible through E-RATE, so for example, 50% funded organizations will get funding for 50% of the services they apply for. An organization can double their cybersecurity approach by replacing their out of date solutions with a hybrid managed service with endpoint protection, extended user management, and FWaaS (firewall as a service) to name a few.

We created this downloadable one-pager to get you started in planning for the upcoming application window. Salt Peak is available to support the application from the pre-application to proposal selection.

Useful resources:

• The FCC’s One Pager on the program
• Previous and upcoming USAC webinars
• USAC’s Cybersecurity Program
• Pilot Eligible Services – there are a lot!