Everything You Need to Know About the $1B Homeland Cybersecurity Grant for K-12 Schools

In Cybersecurity by Ken Nero

The State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program can be used to address cybersecurity risks or threats on information systems owned or operated by school districts to support best cybersecurity practices, such as multi-factor authentication, enhanced logging, and data encryption.

The cybersecurity funding will be available through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program, which states can apply for and then allocate to school districts and local governments. Ultimately, the state will decide how and where to distribute funds. At a minimum, 80% of these state grant allocations must be distributed to local government agencies, which include school districts.

What You Need to Know…

  • The established State Administrative Agencies (SAA) for states and territories will be the only entities that can apply for grant awards under the SLCGP. Local entities receive sub-awards through states. The point-of-contact at The New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services is Eric Abramfon, who can be reached at (518)402-2123 and eric.abramfon@dhses.ny.gov.
  • School Districts must form their own Cybersecurity Planning Committee comprised of the required representatives and relevant stakeholders.
  • Apply for funding at https://www.grants.gov/, and be sure to include your Cybersecurity Plan, capabilities assessment and individual projects approved by the Cybersecurity Planning Committee and CIO/CISO/equivalent.

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