The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) kicked off its cybersecurity pilot program on September 17, 2024. FCC-type 484 “half-one” submissions are now accepted from events seeking to participate through the USAC’s Electronic Payment and Claim (EPC) portal. The deadline for submissions is November 1, 2024.
Twelve colleges and public libraries interested in participating in the pilot program can do so by submitting a single Form FCC Type 484 application, streamlining the process for potential applicants. This utility necessitates vendors to provide crucial information regarding their existing cybersecurity protocols and resources, alongside their proposed methodologies, timelines, and pricing structures for potential collaboration with the system. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will thoroughly evaluate all submitted proposals to identify top candidates for participation in the pilot initiative. The selected applicants will subsequently embark on an intense bidding process, followed by a comprehensive funding utility, meticulous billing, and efficient invoicing procedures mirroring those of the E-Fee program.
What’s the program
The Colleges and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program aims to assess the efficacy of leveraging existing funds to support cybersecurity services and infrastructure that safeguard faculty and library broadband networks.
The three-year Pilot Programme provides up to $200 million in funding from the Common Service Fund, making available assistance to participating eligible institutions – including colleges and libraries – to offset the costs of qualified cybersecurity services and equipment.
Timeline
The pilot programme, spanning three years, is projected to secure up to $200 million in funding, derived from repurposed E-Fee reserves, designed to mitigate the impact of the contribution issue.
Funding budgets
Contributors to the pilot program may benefit from a preliminary financial model similar to that of Class Two applicants in the E-rate program, allowing them to gauge their potential discounts. Funding for colleges is allocated at a rate of $13.60 per student, while libraries are provided with a budget of $15,000 per location to support their operations. Candidates must ensure that their institution’s annual budget adheres to a sliding scale: $15,000 for institutions with fewer than 1,100 students and a maximum of $1.5 million for those with more than 11,000 students. The total three-year amount will be available for use during the initial 12-month period of this program.
Use of funds
Providers eligible for this program are those who commit to enhancing cybersecurity capabilities in K-12 schools, libraries, or consortiums. The Pilot Eligible Providers Record details four pivotal applied sciences that are essential to its functioning.
- Superior and Subsequent-Technology Firewalls
- Endpoint Safety
- Id Safety and Authentication
- Monitoring, Detection, and Response
Software course of
The application process for participating in the pilot program is divided into two components by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The initial segment compiles general cybersecurity intelligence and operational specifics, while the subsequent portion demands more in-depth information regarding current cybersecurity protocols, training, policies, and threat assessments’ history. The appliance process mirrors that of E-rate, comprising competitive bidding via FCC Form 470, discount requests through FCC Form 471, and subsequent invoicing utilizing either BEARs or SPIs via FCC Forms 472 or 474.
Simplified cybersecurity pilot options
Cisco simplifies college and library procurement of secure networking solutions by offering intuitive acquisition, deployment, and utilization options for safe networking technologies. These options will utilize the Cybersecurity Pilot funding to enable your institution to foster a culture of inclusive learning for all students. Options will embody optimum networking and superior safety performance tailored to diverse dimensional college campuses. Cisco remains committed to prioritizing cybersecurity needs in higher education institutions and public libraries.
Discover how Cisco’s expertise helps you craft a tailored cybersecurity strategy today.
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