{"id":35860,"date":"2025-01-27T19:48:52","date_gmt":"2025-01-28T00:48:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=35860"},"modified":"2025-02-02T19:51:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-03T00:51:16","slug":"cyber-pilot-more-details-next-steps","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/e-ratepa.org\/?p=35860","title":{"rendered":"Cyber Pilot – More Details, Next Steps"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

January 27, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

~ Intro webinar tomorrow ~<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations to the 54 PA schools and libraries that have been selected<\/a> to participate in the FCC\u2019s new $200 million Cybersecurity Pilot Program (CPP).  This message provides a more granular analysis of PA\u2019s selectees and awarded funding, and provides next steps for those that were selected.  From this point forward, it\u2019s my intention to communicate directly with selectees and not through the E-rate listserve; however, if you were not selected and wish to be included in the CPP messages moving forward, please e-mail me directly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Selected Participants and Funding Details<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the highly sensitive information being submitted, the FCC did not provide a list of which schools and libraries applied, but based on information that schools and libraries shared with me and the PA entities selected to participate, I believe that more than 107 PA schools and libraries entities submitted initial applications.  The FCC\u2019s grant guidelines stated that they would prioritize the most economically disadvantaged schools, and with only $200 million available nationwide, I believe most applicants below the 80% discount did not apply, understandably.  All PA schools and libraries selected have an E-rate discount of 90%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In PA, 31 school districts, 13 charters, 1 CTC, 4 nonpublic schools, 4 libraries and 1 library system were selected.   The FCC\u2019s announcement did not provide the amount of funding that was awarded to each participant, but we know that the FCC awarded up to each applicant\u2019s available cap (except for 2 schools that will receive approx. 78% of their budget cap), disregarding what amount of funding applicants requested on their application.  Knowing the funding formula and the school enrollment or library size, I was able to closely estimate the amount of pre-discount funds each selectee will be eligible to receive, and I\u2019ve included those amounts below.  In all, approximately $8.8 million was awarded to PA schools and libraries, of which they will receive 90%.  Should applicants drop out of the program, the FCC will work to fully fund the participants that only received partial budgets, and if funds remain, they will select other applicants to join the Pilot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nationwide, just over 80% of selected participants indicated they have experience implementing cybersecurity protections, with approximately 23% indicating experience of three years or less, and approximately 53% indicating experience of more than five years. Nearly 40% of Pilot participants indicated they have faced a cybersecurity threat or attack within the past year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

USAC Webinars Scheduled for Selected Participants<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n