Maximize Your District’s Application Success: How ManagedMethods Qualifies for the Identity Protection and Authentication Category

We recently hosted a live webinar that discusses what you need to know about the FCC School and Libraries Cybersecurity Pilot Program. This webinar outlines an overview of the new pilot program, demonstrates how ManagedMethods products align with funding criteria and ends with how our products enhance your district’s Google Workspace and/or Microsoft 365 security posture. 

Our excellent product specialists also present two product demos: one of Cloud Monitor, our award-winning cybersecurity and student safety platform, and another of Content Filter, our E-rate CIPA-compliant web filtering software. 

Both Cloud Monitor and Content Filter are eligible for the FCC pilot program in two categories. Here are three ways they meet the Identity Protection and Authentication funding criteria. 

1. Cloud Application Protection

“Using Cloud Monitor, we’ve been able to catch everything from Social Security Numbers being sent outside the domain to school accounts being used to access apps like OnlyFans and TikTok. Frankly, we wish we would’ve jumped on it sooner.”

—Ginger Jackson, Chief Technology Officer at Cleveland County Schools

Managing cloud applications can be complex and overwhelming, especially when it comes to maintaining security and compliance. This is where Cloud Monitor makes a difference. It gives school districts the visibility and control they need to keep the use of third-party apps in district data systems compliant. 

Cloud Monitor’s application summary page showcases an easy-to-navigate overview of the information your district needs to control any unwanted or potentially compromising third-party apps. With just a few clicks, you can dive deeper into each OAuth permission, viewing details on the following:

• See how many apps have access to permissions in your Google and/or Microsoft 365 domain
• Identify apps by type, see who is using them, and set up pre-defined and/or automated sanction/unsanction control, and more
• Sort by app category (e.g. Gaming or Social)
• And so much more!

One of the additional features customers appreciate about Cloud Monitor features is its ability to generate .CSV reports. These reports provide detailed information, allowing your team to quickly share updates with the administration so that everyone is aligned and informed. Not to mention, these reports will help make your FCC pilot program funding reporting requirements easier.

2. Content Blocking and Filtering/URL Filtering

“Content Filter is so lightweight that we were able to run it at the same time as our existing solution without impacting our end users’ experience. We were set up in about 15 minutes and we started seeing results almost immediately. We were able to report on activity and see what students were attempting to access. It was also impressive that it had no impact on our end users when running both web filters at the same time. It’s a no-brainer for us.”

—Manuel Sanchez, Director of Technology at Azusa Unified School District

Schools are required by the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) to implement a technology restricting minors’ internet access. In other words, content filters aren’t just recommended—they are mandatory. Unfortunately, districts don’t currently get funding for web content filters under E-Rate. But, with the FCC pilot program you can.  

Web filtering has two main functions: cyber safety and security. Content Filter by ManagedMethods does both. 

This tool’s innovative browser-level AI performs all content filtering and data loss prevention processes within the user’s browser. Additionally, the end-user browsing experience will not be impacted or slowed down.

ManagedMethods’ Content Filter tool is packed with features that create a safe and secure online environment for your students, making it an essential tool for any school district to include on their FCC pilot program application.

3. Email and web security

“Purchasing Cloud Monitor is one of the best decisions we’ve made and I would recommend it to other IT teams in K-12. For us, Cloud Monitor is hands-off 99% of the time and doesn’t take many people to run it. It’s definitely worth the investment and, when it comes to protecting our data and users in Gmail and Google Workspace, Cloud Monitor is the best cloud security solution that we’ve found.”

—Stephen Gauss, Network Administrator at Gadsden County Public Schools

Phishing is a common method used by cybercriminals to gain access to user accounts at schools. Districts are also facing increased malware attacks, including ransomware, which target the emotions of users and are difficult to detect as attackers sneakily choose when to strike. 

What sets Cloud Monitor apart is that it adds an extra layer of email security to enhance the built-in anti-spam controls in Google and Microsoft. We collaborate with leading threat protection technologies to scan email domains, attachments, and the content of emails for potential attacks and any policy violations related to data loss prevention.

Email scanning is particularly important as many customers share instances of personally identifiable information, explicit content, and signs of self-harm showing up in their Cloud Monitor alerts. These alerts are invaluable for maintaining a safe and secure environment.

Differentiate Your FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Program today with ManagedMethods

Schools, libraries, and experts that have been facing a mountain of cybersecurity threats have been begging for help with cybersecurity funding for a long time. While not everyone is going to be selected to participate in the FCC pilot program, we hope that this is a step in the right direction for increased K-12 cybersecurity funding. 

The application window for the Federal Communications Commission’s $200 million, three-year pilot program is set to open from Sept. 17th through Nov. 1st, 2024.

Are you ready to start your application? We’ve created this pre-application checklist to help you get a head start on the process.

The post Unlock FCC Pilot Program Funding with Cloud Monitor and Content Filter appeared first on ManagedMethods Cybersecurity, Safety & Compliance for K-12.

*** This is a Security Bloggers Network syndicated blog from ManagedMethods Cybersecurity, Safety & Compliance for K-12 authored by Alexa Sander. Read the original post at: https://managedmethods.com/blog/identity-protection-and-authentication-funding/