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The funding will help smaller schools take advantage of contracted endpoint detection and response (EDR) via the Department of Information Resources' (DIR) shared technology services.
To participate, LEAs need to establish a shared technology service account with DIR through interlocal agreement. Then, beginning in September, customers will be able to request the contract procurement and a cybersecurity assessment.
TEA will pay costs for the managed security services. Documentation indicates that about 2,000 seats may be purchased for LEAs serving fewer than 15,000 students.
Although AT&T is the contract provider, CrowdStrike and SentinelOne products and practitioners are providing services, per the May Cybersecurity Coordinator Forum.
Representatives from CrowdStrike discussed products, features and support. The company already provides services to K-12 schools; however, this is an avenue for schools on a tight budget or with fewer resources in general to participate as well.
Onboarding and continued support are provided, according to a representative.
The multifaceted initiative also will include:
- Implementing multifactor authentication on staff email
- Implementing email protocol security configurations
- Limiting local admin access
The TEA is holding monthly cybersecurity coordinator calls to discuss the ways the state is helping to thwart cyber attacks on K-12 schools.
All Texas school superintendents are required by law to designate a cybersecurity coordinator who liaises with the TEA.
