School board accepts $123,520 cybersecurity grant to fund phishing training, authentication and network segregation

The Arlington School District board voted to accept a tentative cybersecurity grant worth $123,520 aimed at bolstering the district’s defenses against phishing and other cyber threats.

Director of Technology Dr. Matt Durek explained the award, which combines federal and state funding through a program administered by CISA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The funds are allocated into three components: roughly $45,000 for phishing education and training for staff and students (grades 6–12); about $9,000 over the 2½-year grant period for improved authentication and monitoring of personally identifiable information; and a one-time $80,000 appropriation for physical network segregation equipment so traffic can be processed at site level rather than routed centrally.

Durek told the board the district had logged two phishing-related incidents in the past 18 months and that user-targeted attacks remain the primary vulnerability. He said the training component will be interactive and include students and staff, while the authentication work will give the district better visibility into sign-ins and data flows. The one-time network segregation purchase is intended to allow additional monitoring services at each site.

Board members asked whether stronger authentication would create login friction for staff. Durek said the district will weigh security benefits against practical impacts and noted the funding will also help meet requirements for the district’s cybersecurity insurance coverage.

The motion to accept the grant, moved by Director Knapp and seconded by Director Diamond, passed on a roll-call voice affirmation of the directors present.