April ICN News and Updates

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ICN Teams Up with Zoom

We are excited to announce we have teamed up with Zoom to deliver a flexible and enhanced cloud communications experience for authorized users across Iowa.

Combining ICN’s state-wide secure fiber optic network with Zoom's cloud-based communication platform provides ICN’s users a robust solution for voice and communications needs. Zoom’s collaboration platform includes meetings, team chat, scheduler, whiteboard, spaces, and more.

Learn more about our partnership.

ICN Joins Panel Discussion About Preparing for 2024 Election

In mid-March, our CIO Ryan Mulhall participated in FedInsider’s panel discussion with representatives from Arizona’s Maricopa County and Fortinet. Together, they explained the steps officials can take now to prepare for the 2024 election.

During the session, Ryan highlighted ways that organizations can detect, mitigate, and protect themselves. He emphasized that organizations need to obtain endpoint network security tools, and they must be operational immediately. The more organizations see now, the more they can use machine learning to pick up on those anomalies later. Ryan also added, "It is best to seek out and acquire a single unified vendor solution and integrate all the tools together to maximize the monitoring capabilities. Before considering any new tools, make sure you use what you already have."

🔒 Read about how organizations can be more proactive.

SYBAC Completes Cybersecurity Training

Congratulations to our Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council (SYBAC) students that have completed their online cybersecurity training from Fortinet.

Throughout the school year, the students worked through Fortinet’s cybersecurity course Introduction to the Threat Landscape. They developed a foundational understanding of the ever-increasing threat landscape and common network security concepts.

We think it is great that our SYBAC students are making cybersecurity a priority!

View the student list. ⬇️

Youth Outreach Focus

Peer to Career

The Ottumwa Job Corps’ Network Cable Installation (NCI) trainees had a day full of activities at the ICN office on April 8. The trainees interacted with ICN's leadership team, learned about cybersecurity services, and toured the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.

Last fall, ICN teamed up with the Ottumwa Job Corps Center’s NCI program to provide an exclusive mentoring opportunity for students called Peer to Career.

Read about the experiences that occurred during the session.

High School Students Visit the ICN

Our Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council (SYBAC) students ended the school year strong by visiting the Capitol Complex in Des Moines. The students met with ICN's leadership team and witnessed government in action during an official bill signing in the Capitol rotunda on April 9.

Read about the participation of our SYBAC students.

Student SYBAC Nominations - NOW OPEN

You can help us find our next round of students that make up our Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council (SYBAC)!

The ICN is now accepting nominations for the 2024-2025 school year through May 31. Any Iowa high school student in grades 10-12 can apply.

Learn more about ICN's SYBAC program and submit your nomination today!

Student Application Form

Educator Recommendation Form

⭐ Help us find the perfect candidates for our SYBAC program by spreading the word to Iowa high school students in grades 10-12. Share our downloadable school poster and encourage them to apply today! ⭐

Highlights from Social Media

We love hearing from our Healthcare customers!

Helping hospitals and medical centers take care of people in Iowa, especially in rural areas, is fulfilling. The extensive network, reaching all 99 counties, benefits our community.

Spring cleaning isn't only for your home - it's a perfect opportunity to tidy up your digital files. Here's some digital cleaning tips to free up space:

Remove older & duplicated files.
Delete old emails.
Empty your recycle bin.
Clear cache + change passwords.

News from the Industries We Serve

Hongwei Zhang awarded Willard and Leitha Richardson Professorship in Electrical and Computer Engineering

Zhang is a leader in the research of wireless networks. He is the director of Iowa State’s Center for Wireless, Communities and Innovation (WiCI) as well as the principal investigator for ARA, a first-of-its-kind wireless living lab to connect rural communities and industries.

➡️ Source: Iowa State University

Belmond Healthcare Clinic is increasing remote care options, but say insurance companies haven’t caught up with telehealth

The Belmond Healthcare Clinic is turning increasingly to forms of remote care to better serve its 3,000 patients, whether through video, over the phone or online.

➡️ Source: Iowa Public Radio

Education Dept. allocates $15 million to six university energy cybersecurity centers

Iowa State University is one of the University cyber centers that will work with energy sector owners and operators, vendors and the Department of Energy’s National Laboratories.

➡️ Source: EdScoop

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

CISA celebrates NPSTW as part of Emergency Communications Month in April to honor the nation’s emergency responders and communicators, emphasizing the importance of emergency communications and the need to work together in building resilient critical infrastructure.

➡️ Source: CISA