Cybersecurity Considerations for Universal Service Fund Reform
Congress has expressed a clear desire to reinvigorate the Universal Service Fund (USF) through legislation. The latter half of 2025 is a critical period for determining the future of the USF. There is a demonstrated need for additional cybersecurity investment in K-12 education, and there are several mechanisms policymakers could use to leverage universal service funds for this purpose. However, it will be up to Congress to decide whether security measures should be baked into broadband offerings or bolted on through other funding mechanisms after the fact.