FCC provides $200 million to protect schools and libraries from hackers

The Federal Communications Commission is making up to $200 million available to help schools and libraries make their computer systems more secure.

The Schools and Libraries Assessment Program will be used for assessment to fully fund this type of program. Funding will come through a pool of money called the Universal Service Fund (USF), made with money from telecommunication companies. Schools and libraries that participate in the program will be able to recover things like advanced firewalls, identity protection and authentication services, anti-malware, and VPNs.

The pilot program will be available to schools and libraries that qualify for the FCC’s E-rate program, another USF initiative to provide affordable Internet access. The FCC says it expects to open the application process this fall and plans to select a mix of schools by size and rural versus urban locations. The agency says it will focus more on financing projects from low-income and Indigenous applicants.