The ICN and Zoom partnership kicked off with an in-person Zoom customer event in late May. There was a wealth of valuable information shared with everyone, while exploring a variety of features and benefits with the application platform. 

A highlight was when Dr. Lance Ford demonstrated how all the Zoom components can work together during an emergency alert situation to connect all the Zoom components in a facility, campus, or organization.

Read the recap of the entire Zoom kick-off.

More information about our Zoom service is available on our website.

The ICN was awarded three grants to purchase network equipment tools to better protect our fiber optic infrastructure.

The grant opportunity was made possible by FEMA’s Homeland Security Grant Program, which is managed here in Iowa by the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) on behalf of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The grants award the ICN $180,000 for the new equipment.

The funding from the grants will be used for the following:

• Fiber/copper tester and locators
• Cellular test equipment
• Network sniffer boxes

Read more details on how the grant funding will be used.

Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) Network 

The ICN utilizes MPLS rings to ensure the routing of customer traffic across the State. These rings interconnect different routers to create closed loops. Traffic is then routed throughout the ring in a single direction, and each device forwards traffic to the next device in the ring. In case of a ring failure, an alternative ring is activated to maintain connectivity. 

Former ICN Employee Receives Citizen of the Year Award

We want to give a shout out to one of our former employees. The City of Lamoni recently awarded Tony Crandell with the Citizen of the Year award. 

We know Tony makes an impact everywhere. Last year as we celebrated the ICN's 30 Years of Service, we highlighted Tony’s story.  Read how Tony made an impression on the Network.

ISU's Cybersecurity Ambassador Program Recognition

Iowa State University's Cybersecurity Ambassador Program received recognition as a 2024 Seal of Approval program partner from the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council and the Iowa Department of Education.

Read more about the program.

Securing Tomorrow: A Recap of CISA’s Cyber Resilient 911 Symposium

CISA’s Emergency Communications Division (ECD) spearheaded the Cyber Resilient 911 (CR911) Program’s fourth regional symposium. Among the attendees were state 911 administrators, representatives from 911 centers, IT/cyber communities at the state and local levels, and Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (SWICs) from each state.

Virtual Workshops: How Thousands Each Month Learn about Job Search

If you add up all the people who log into the online workshops on IowaWORKS.gov in a single month, the population would rank #66 out of 1,021 Iowa communities – right between Adel and Oelwein. Job seekers voiced a preference for the information they’d like to receive virtually.