Brevard Public Schools Receive $500,000 Grant to Strengthen Cybersecurity as Ransomware Attacks Continue
By Space Coast Daily // June 4, 2021
60% of reported ransomware incidents in Fall 2020 involved K-12 schools
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Brevard Public Schools today announced it is among six United States K-12 public school districts awarded the IBM Education Security, Preparedness Grant.
The in-kind grant was created to help school districts proactively prepare for, and respond to, cyberattacks following the FBI’s warning that nearly 60% of reported ransomware incidents in Fall 2020 involved K-12 schools.
“We’d like to congratulate Brevard Public Schools on being selected for the IBM Education Security Preparedness Grant,” said Christopher Scott, Director of Security Innovation, Office of the CISO, IBM.
“With ransomware attacks against schools on the rise, it’s important, now more than ever, that schools take proactive steps in securing their cybersecurity posture.”
BPS was selected to receive the grant among more than 250 other school district applicants, which represented more than 7,800 schools and over 4 million students.
The grant will sponsor an IBM Service Corps team of volunteers to provide BPS with a range of security services, valued at $500,000. Services can span everything from password hygiene and implementing strategic communication plans, to creating an incident response plan.
To learn more about the IBM Education Security Grant and to access cybersecurity resources for schools visit ibm.biz/security-grant
Related Story:BPS School Board Votes to Make Masks Optional at All Brevard Public Schools Beginning June 4
CLICK HERE FOR BREVARD COUNTY NEWS
