Tribal Listening Session on Proposed Cybersecurity Pilot Program

On November 13, 2023, the Commission released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), WC Docket No. 23-234, seeking comment on its proposal to establish a pilot program to learn more about cybersecurity and advanced firewall services that could help K-12 schools and libraries protect their broadband networks and data, while also ensuring that limited Universal Service funds are utilized in the most effective manner.

The Commission is offering a Tribal Listening Session as follows:

Summary: The FCC adopted a NPRM in November 2023 (FCC 23-92) (NPRM) proposing to create a three-year Pilot program to help schools and libraries, including Tribal schools and libraries, defray the costs of advanced firewall and other cybersecurity services while also studying the effectiveness of funding these services.

The NPRM seeks comment on:

1. Proposed goals for the Pilot program;
2. The structure of the Pilot program (e.g., the NPRM generally proposes that the Pilot be structured similarly to the FCC's existing Connected Care Pilot Program);
3. Who should be eligible to participate in the Pilot, including whether there should be any prerequisites to apply;
4. The types of services and equipment that should be eligible for support (e.g., advanced or next-generation firewalls and other types of cybersecurity services and equipment);
5. The applicability of E-Rate and other programs' rules, forms, and processes to the proposed Pilot;
6. The FCC's legal authority to establish the proposed Pilot and applicability of the Children's Internet Protection Act to the Pilot; and
7. How to best protect the integrity of the Pilot program, in keeping with the FCC's commitment to being a careful and responsible steward of the USF, and in view of the limited proposed Pilot funding.

Reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request by sending an e-mail to: FCC504@fcc.gov or calling the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau at 202-418-0530 (voice). Include a description of the accommodation you will need and tell us how to contact you if we need more information. Please make your request as early as possible as we may be unable to fulfill last minute requests.

If you have any questions about this Listening Session or on another issue, please reach out to the Office of Native Affairs and Policy (ONAP) at Native@fcc.gov.