As ransomware and malicious cyber-attacks increase, Texas schools will be able to build better defense systems with the recent allocation of $55 million from the Texas state legislature.
According to officials with the Texas Education Agency, the Texas K-12 Cybersecurity Initiative aims to provide immediate solutions. School districts will have access to cybersecurity technical assistance through the state’s 20 Regional Education Service Centers. Free third-party cybersecurity services will be available on a first-come, first served basis.
Small and midsized districts may also receive free endpoint detection and response subscriptions through the end of the 2024--25 school year to investigate, contain and help eliminate a cyber threat before it spreads. A pilot group of districts and Education Service Centers will receive free network detection and response hardware and software to spot suspicious activity.
The funding will be available for district use from September 1 through August 31, 2025.