Cybersecurity Pilot

The Cybersecurity Pilot Program, starting on September 17, 2024, offers $200 million over three years to help schools and libraries strengthen their defenses against cyber threats, with essential protections like next-generation firewalls, endpoint security, and identity safeguards.

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Key program details

Total funding available

$200M

Funding allocation

$13.60

per student

$15K

minimum for schools with fewer than 1,100 students

$1.5M

maximum for schools with over 110,000 students

$15K

Libraries receive per branch

Timeline
Sep. 17, 2024
Nov. 1, 2024
July 2025
Application period opens
Application filing window closes
Installations start
Application process

Two-part application; selected districts will participate in a three-year pilot.

Schools and libraries must complete Part 1 of the FCC Form 484, detailing their cybersecurity needs and project goals. Applicants must provide information about the services and equipment they plan to request, along with an overview of their cybersecurity experience. Eligible entities should ensure they have an FCC Registration Number (FRN) and a Billed Entity Number (BEN), and verify that they are in good financial standing with the FCC and federal government. Early submission is encouraged to allow for eligibility verification.

See your estimated available funding

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What can the funding be used for?

The Cybersecurity pilot covers various categories essential for protecting your school’s network.

Advanced/next generation firewall
  • Equipment and services that implement advanced or next-generation firewalls, including software-defined firewalls and firewall-as-a-Service, are eligible.
  • These firewalls limit access between networks and protect participants’ networks from outside cyber attackers by blocking malicious or unnecessary network traffic.
  • Basic firewalls, which are typically funded through the E-rate program, are not eligible.
Endpoint protection
  • Equipment and services that protect end-user devices (such as desktops, laptops, and mobile devices) against cyber threats and attacks.
  • Endpoint protection ensures participants can defend against vulnerabilities introduced by devices connected to their networks.
Identity protection & authentication
  • Safeguards to protect a user’s network identity from theft or misuse, or that provide assurance about the network identity of an entity interacting with a system.
  • This is critical for preventing malicious actors from accessing and compromising networks under false pretenses.
Monitoring, detection, & response
  • Tools that monitor and detect threats to a network and take responsive actions to remediate or address those threats.
  • These services help participants promptly and reliably detect and neutralize malicious activities that would otherwise compromise their networks.

Why choose Zayo?

Zayo connects 22% of students nationwide, making us a trusted leader in secure and reliable infrastructure. By partnering with Zayo, you’ll gain access to advanced cybersecurity solutions tailored to protect your institution from evolving threats. Our key offerings are designed to meet the most pressing cybersecurity challenges today.

DDoS protection

Zayo’s DDoS platform offers excellent protection with strong economic benefits. We encourage every existing customer to apply for DDoS protection funding.

Firewall

Zayo’s Unified Threat Management (UTM) system is a direct fit for the program, providing full next-gen firewall services.

S.A.S.E.

Zayo’s Secure Access Security Edge, is a customer-first approach to fully designing, deploying, monitoring, and managing your entire network solution from your edge to anywhere.

Act now

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to secure your school’s network. Apply for the Cybersecurity Pilot Fall 2024 and take the first step toward a safer digital environment for your students and staff.

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We have decades of experience delivering secure, scalable, customized technology solutions for our customers.

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