Educational agencies continue to be targeted by ransomware actors and other cyber criminals. As we’ve seen with the recent PowerSchool breach and re-victimization, some of our most vulnerable communities are on the front lines when it comes to cybersecurity. Yet, in a time of immense fiscal uncertainty, these same entities often lack the resources to put in core safety technologies.
In August 2023, the Federal Communications Commission announced the Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program to expand access to core security technologies not covered by the existing E-Rate program. As of January 2025, schools and districts have been selected, and they are now in the process of making their cybersecurity investments. With the recent decision in FCC vs. Consumers’ Research, Congress is looking to update the statutory basis for the Universal Service Fund (USF)–a telecommunications fee-based mechanism that aims to ensure all Americans have access to affordable communications. The USF funds multiple FCC programs including E-Rate (and the K-12 cybersecurity pilot), as well as other broadband programs for rural hospitals and agriculture.
How has E-Rate historically improved broadband access and cybersecurity? What impact will the K-12 cyber pilot have, and how might it be expanded? How might the USF be used to help K-12 schools with urgent cybersecurity needs? And what legal and policy barriers could prevent it from being effective?
On Friday, July 11, the Institute for Security and Technology hosted a virtual discussion with practitioners and cybersecurity experts Amy McLaughlin (CoSN), Vince Voci (Cloudflare), and Raghu Seshadri (Jefferson County Public Schools) to hear about the progress of the pilot program and the evolving threat environment. We will also aim to learn about different approaches to ensure that equitable access to broadband encompasses security from the outset.
