Multiple school districts and libraries in Mahoning County, as well as Lawrence County are among hundreds of school districts and dozens of libraries who are part of the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC's) Schools and Libraries Cyberscurity Pilot Program.

In Mahoning County, the Campbell Local School District, the Youngstown City School District and the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County are part of the program.

Meanwhile in Lawrence County, the New Castle Public Library and the Ellwood City Area School District are also part of the program.

According to a press release, the three-year program will explore the use of universal service funds to improve school districts' and libraries' defenses against cyber attacks.

The program will allow the FCC to collect data and evaluate the effectiveness of using universal service funds for cybersecurity services and equipment to protect school and library broadband networks and data.

FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel is quoted in the release saying it is important to make sure all students have access to the opportunities the digital world brings and it is also important to make sure this access is secure.

"Through this program, we will be able to provide our federal, state, and local government partners with actionable data about the most effective and coordinated way to address the growing cyber needs of schools and libraries," Rosenworcel said.

According to the release, the FCC selected participants by looking at qualifying applicants' discount rate and National School Lunch Program percentages and prioritizing the highest percentages.

The FCC also considered applicants' entry type, size, location, etc.

The selected participants represent a set of large and small urban and rural schools, libraries and consortia from various areas with different cyber security experiences and needs.

The program is part of the Rosenworcel's "Learn Without Limits" initiative to address the Homework Gap by ensuring connectivity to and within schools and libraries.

That initiative includes Wi-Fi on school buses, the Wi-Fi hotspot lending program and E-Rate support for libraries in Tribal communities.