The Cybersecurity pilot program was formally launched. Uncover how Cisco has optimized options designed to enhance community safety.
On September 17, 2024, the FCC launched its cybersecurity pilot program. events can now submit an FCC Kind 484 “Half One” to request participation by way of the USAC EPC portal. The deadline to submit functions is November 1, 2024.
Okay-12 faculties and public libraries that want to apply to the pilot program can achieve this by submitting FCC Kind 484. This request requires them to share key details about their current cybersecurity measures and sources, in addition to their proposed know-how tasks and estimated prices. if chosen for this system. The FCC will consider all submissions and choose members for the pilot. These chosen will then enter a aggressive bidding course of, adopted by a financing utility, invoicing and billing procedures just like these of the E-Fee program.
what’s the program
The College and Library Cybersecurity Pilot Program goals to check the effectiveness of utilizing common service funds to assist cybersecurity providers and tools to guard college and library broadband networks. The three-year pilot program offers as much as $200 million in Common Service Fund assist out there to eligible collaborating faculties and libraries to defray the prices of eligible cybersecurity providers and tools.
Timeline
The pilot program will final three years and can obtain funding of as much as $200 million from unspent E-Fee funds to attenuate the influence of the contribution issue.
Financing budgets
Contributors within the pilot program could have a pre-discount “funds” mannequin just like the E-rate program’s Class Two funds system. Faculties will probably be budgeted at $13.60 per scholar and libraries will obtain $15,000 per location. All candidates should meet a minimal funds of $15,000 for faculties with fewer than 1,100 college students and a most of $1.5 million for faculties with greater than 110,000 college students. This greenback quantity is annual, however your complete three-year sum can be utilized within the first yr of this system.
Use of funds
Eligible providers embrace people who intention to enhance cybersecurity in Okay-12 faculties, libraries, or consortia. The Pilot Eligible Companies Checklist describes 4 key applied sciences:
- Superior and next-generation firewalls
- Terminal safety
- Id safety and authentication
- Monitoring, Detection and Response
Utility course of
The FCC divides the applying course of to take part within the pilot program into two components. The primary half collects common cybersecurity data and mission particulars, whereas the second half requires extra detailed data on present cybersecurity practices, coaching, insurance policies, and cyber risk historical past. The applying course of mirrors the E-rate course of, which entails aggressive bidding utilizing FCC Kind 470, {discount} requests utilizing FCC Kind 471, and billing with BEAR or SPI through FCC Varieties 472 or 474. FCC.
Pilot Cybersecurity Options Made Straightforward
Cisco is dedicated to simplifying the best way faculties and libraries purchase safe networking applied sciences by creating options which might be simple to accumulate, deploy, and use. These options will leverage cybersecurity pilot program funding to empower your establishment to drive inclusive studying for all. Options will embrace optimum networking and superior safety capabilities personalized for faculties of various sizes. Cisco stays targeted on addressing the necessity for cybersecurity in faculties and libraries.
Let Cisco assist you adapt your cybersecurity options right this moment!
For extra details about Cisco options, Click on right here.
Share:
