FCC Seeks Comment on Requests to Allow the Use of E-Rate Funds for Advanced or Next-Generation Firewalls and Other Network Security Services

The Federal Communications Commission has received several petitions and requests from E-Rate stakeholders through the annual E-Rate eligible services list (ESL) proceedings, asking that the FCC permit the use of E-Rate program funds to support advanced or next-generation firewalls and services, as well as other network security services. The FCC's Wireline Competition Bureau seeks comment on these petitions as well as the related funding year 2023 ESL proceeding filings. The Bureau highlights four filings: (1) a petition for waiver filed by Cisco Systems,  (2) a petition for declaratory ruling and petition for rulemaking filed by a coalition led by the Consortium for School Networking (CoSN); (3) a proposed three-year E-Rate cybersecurity pilot program by Funds for Learning (FFL); and (4) a letter from 20 national educational groups led by The School Superintendents Association (AASA). WC Docket No. 13-184. Comment Date: February 13, 2023. Reply Comment Date: March 30, 2023