With only $200 million available over a three-year period, if you’re not prepared for your day in the sun, you may be left burnt on the sidelines. As we know, the cybersecurity pilot program application window is slated to open this Fall. Until you can apply, what should you be doing to increase your chance of being selected?
Personally, I don’t know a lot about cybersecurity. As one whose Facebook account was recently hacked, I’m probably one of the least likely authorities on the matter. However, reading up on the program I couldn’t help drawing a comparison to the preparation it takes to get accepted into the new pilot program and gearing up for a perfect day at the beach.
Let’s face it, being the middle of summer who doesn’t dream about a beach vacation, but nothing will bring that trip to a screeching halt faster than a sever sunburn. As such, both preparing for the cybersecurity pilot program and a day at the beach require thoughtful preparation, and an understanding of the potential risks involved. Let’s take a closer look at this unlikely comparison and see if we can fend off some cyber-attacks along the way.
- Understanding Requirements: Just as one must check the weather and research beach safety, applicants need to understand the requirements and objectives of the new Pilot Program. This means knowing the application criteria, what documents are needed, and the program’s goals.
- Application Preparation: Much like packing essential items for the beach – sunscreen, towels, and swimsuits, applying for the FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Program requires gathering and preparing detailed documentation. This includes information about your current cybersecurity measures, your implementation of recommended best practices, what costs you have incurred or are incurring, incident response plans, and current use of free or other federal resources.
- Risk Assessment and Planning: How’s your base tan? Before a beach day, you consider risks like sunburn and dehydration and plan accordingly. For the FCC program, you need to assess your network’s cybersecurity risks and develop a plan to address them. This shows you are proactive about improving your security.
- Implementing Best Practices: At the beach, applying sunscreen and drinking water are best practices for health and safety. For cybersecurity, this means deploying strong security measures such as firewalls, encryption, and regular software updates to protect against cyber threats. Being able to demonstrate your organization’s commitment to cybersecurity and its readiness for the pilot program will help bolster your application.
- Continuous Monitoring: Finally, just as you need to reapply sunscreen and drink water throughout the day, in cybersecurity, ongoing monitoring and adaptation to new threats are necessary. Showing that you continuously update and improve your security measures can enhance your application for the pilot program.
Your goal in applying for the FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Program is getting accepted into the program and on to Part 2. Just like a trip to the beach, getting burnt on day one and having to stay inside the rest of the time is less than ideal. Thus, careful planning, knowing where you currently stand and where you want to be are essential for achieving this first phase of the process.
