SWBOCES selected to take part in FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Program
Agency to provide $45K for the purchase of services and equipment
Southern Westchester BOCES is one of three school districts in the region and 62 statewide chosen to participate in the Federal Communications Commission’s Schools and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program.
The application submitted late last year by Director of Technology Victor Pineiro was selected by the agency. SWBOCES was notified this week and asked to confirm its commitment to participate beginning on July 1. The Mount Vernon City School District and the Yonkers City School District were also chosen to take part.
Participation in the program comes with a $45,000 budget for Southern Westchester BOCES to purchase cybersecurity services and equipment.
The Cybersecurity Pilot Program will provide up to $200 million to selected participants to purchase a wide variety of cybersecurity services and equipment. Eligible purchases include: Advanced/Next Generation Firewalls; Endpoint Protection; Identity Protection and Authentication; and Monitoring, Detection, and Response.
“I am gratified to learn that our focus on cybersecurity will be amplified by participation in this pilot program over the next three school years,” Mr. Pineiro stated. “This is a key priority for our Technology team as it is for all school districts. As a BOCES, Southern Westchester stands by its role as a cybersecurity leader in our region, and we appreciate the FCC’s commitment and support in protecting our students, staff and systems against online crime.”