FCC Adopts A Three-Year $200 Million Schools And Libraries Pilot Program For Enhanced Cybersecurity

Service providers will have the opportunity to bid to provide cybersecurity equipment and services to schools and libraries, a portion of which will be subsidized through a $200 million grant from USF funds

On June 11, the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") issued a Report and Order creating the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program ("Pilot Program") to provide funding for K-12 schools, libraries, and consortia (collectively, "eligible recipients"¹) to enhance their cybersecurity defenses in today's era of increased remote and digital learning. Service providers will have the opportunity to submit bids to provide cybersecurity equipment and services to Pilot Program participants looking to enhance their broadband networks to defend against cybersecurity threats and attacks. The Pilot Program will run for three years and funding for eligible participants will come from the Universal Service Fund ("USF") (separate from the E-Rate Program).² Funding