CoSN Files Comments with FCC on Use of E-rate Funds
Washington, D.C. (February 13, 2023) – CoSN and ten other national organizations today filed comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) responding to the Wireline Competition Bureau’s request for public input regarding the use of E-rate program funds to enable schools and libraries to combat cyberattacks.
Given that cyberattacks disproportionately harm the populations that depend most on schools and libraries, CoSN urges the Wireline Competition Bureau to:
- Make advanced or next-generation firewalls and related features eligible for E-rate Category 2 support beginning in 2024;
- Increase Category 2 funding levels, within the E-rate program’s existing aggregate cap, to cover modern firewalls; and
- Provide this limited E-rate cybersecurity support in a manner that is minimally burdensome to applicants and permits schools and libraries to select the modern firewall technology most aligned to their needs.
“Cyberattacks on schools disrupt learning, compromise sensitive student and teacher data, and waste millions of limited public resources. Modernizing E-rate to support modern firewalls will help schools — especially schools located in our highest poverty communities — protect themselves. Firewalls are not the entire solution, but they are one key piece of the cybersecurity puzzle,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN.
The comment letter signatories are the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN); the State Educational Technology Directors Association (SETDA); the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO); the Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS); the Schools, Health & Libraries Broadband (SHLB) Coalition; the State E-rate Coordinators’ Alliance (SECA); the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE); the National School Boards Association (NSBA); All4Ed; the Center for Democracy and Technology (CDT); and the Benton Institute For Broadband & Society.
About CoSN
CoSN (the Consortium for School Networking) is the premier professional association for school system technology leaders. CoSN provides thought leadership resources, community best practices and advocacy tools to help leaders succeed in the digital transformation. CoSN represents over 13 million students in school districts nationwide and continues to grow as a powerful and influential voice in K-12 education. cosn.org
MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Klimaszewski, kklimaszewski@fratelli.com, 202-822-9491
