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Monthly Newsletter
Iowa Communications Network
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ICN Connects with Regional Network
ICN is working with the Broadband Optical Research, Education and Sciences Network, also known as the BOREAS Network. BOREAS is a collaborative network that was created by Iowa State University, the University of Iowa, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
As a trusted Internet service provider, ICN’s involvement with BOREAS will bring added network diversity and redundancy to ICN’s statewide fiber optic network.
Upon completion of this project in 2026, ICN will have connectivity for additional resiliency to Internet Exchange Points (IXP) content providers, such as AWS, Google, Microsoft, Oracle, etc. The BOREAS network will provide a 100-gigabit path to ICN’s ingress (entry) point to the cloud in Chicago. As a result of this working relationship, BOREAS will gain access to ICN’s extensive fiber backbone in the State of Iowa for educational research use.
Broadband Communities News:
Iowa Communications Network to collaborate with BOREAS
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Latest ICN Headlines
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Making cybersecurity less of a trick and more of a treat.
This October, as spooky season approaches, ICN is teaming up with Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) to ensure Iowans are protected. As state agencies, our shared mission is to keep our communities safe.
Read our article as we spotlight the cybersecurity practices—four essential habits that can significantly reduce the risk of cyber threats.
- Strong Passwords Are Your First Line of Defense
- The Power of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- Don't Hit "Remind Me Later": The Spell of Patches and Updates
- Protecting Against Phishing and Social Engineering
Joint Cybersecurity Education Outreach
Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management
Your passwords are your first line of defense against online tricksters. Using a password manager is a great way to keep your digital world safe. It creates unique passwords for every account, so you can rest easy knowing your accounts are protected.
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Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is like a secret potion for your accounts! It's an extra layer of defense that keeps the cyber-monsters at bay. Even if a criminal gets your password, they'll need a second piece of information—like a code sent to your phone—to get in. |
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An inside look at the telecom industry
This summer, our Peer to Career program with the Ottumwa Job Corps’ network cabling trainees continued their career connected learning with industry experts in the telecom field. Our monthly virtual sessions provide a valuable, behind-the-scenes look at the day-to-day projects and culture of several companies.
- July: A Look into Lumen
- August: Explaining the NOC of the ICN
- September: A Day in the Life with MetroNet
The Peer to Career initiative connects network cable installation student trainees with local telecom employers, helping them prepare for future careers. For more information, visit our Peer to Career webpage.
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ICN Attends The Quilt Annual Session
In September, our Executive Director Ryan Mulhall attended The Quilt's annual meeting, where he connected with fellow state network operators from across the country. It was a valuable experience with the research and education network community in sharing resources and knowledge. The Quilt is the national coalition of non-profit U.S. regional research and education networks representing 43 networks across the country.
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ICN Participates at the Iowa Digital Government Summit
Our Business Services Director, Stephanie DeVault, was a panel speaker in the "Designing for Everyone – Iowa’s Digital Future" session, focusing on a core commitment to digital accessibility and the Digital Experience.
She highlighted the digital divide and broadband access, emphasizing the needs of Iowans using assisted technology. Her discussion centered on crucial questions for the state's digital future:
 Accurately measuring the digital divide.
 Defining the best role for public-private partnerships.
 Ensuring affordability of high-speed internet once infrastructure is built.
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Service Highlights
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DDoS Mitigation is critical for safeguarding organizations from cyberattacks and should be included in every effective cybersecurity plan.
Our DDoS Mitigation service is a valuable addition to other cybersecurity strategies, as firewalls alone cannot guard against modern attacks.
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Social Media Outreach
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 Powered by Public-Private Partnership
ICN's value isn't just in our fiber; it's in the deep collaborations we've got with the private sector. We work hand-in-hand with Iowa-based companies, local telcos, and other private sector leaders to deliver speed and reliability.
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 Uptime is Critical
In moments that matter most, critical infrastructure is key. You can count on our network to provide a dependable connection for Iowa schools, hospitals, and emergency communications. We're dedicated to managing these vital connections 24/7/365.
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Latest Industry & Broadband News |
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Free Resources
Navigating today's rapidly evolving security threats is challenging. We've compiled a list of resources to help our customers advance their security capabilities.
>> Visit our webpage of free resources.
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Source: Center for Digital Education
Modeled after its Hour of Code campaign, Code.org's new Hour of AI initiative means to prepare students and families for the future of artificial intelligence through practice with coding and AI tools.
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Source: Government Technology
The company, which sells records management and other tools for law enforcement, is offering proactive monitoring and other types of cyber defenses.
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Source: The Gazette
AI tools help with time-consuming tasks like note taking, summarizing charts, analyzing images and preparing bills.
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Source: CISA
Cyberattacks can cause widespread disruption. State, local, tribal and territorial governments should level up policies by implementing these critical behaviors:
1) Use logging on government systems, 2) Back up government data, 3) Encrypt government data, 4) Report cyber incident information to CISA, and 5) Migrate to the .gov domain.
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Telecom News
Broadband Workforce Knowledge, Skill Level Seen as Lacking: Survey, Telecompetitor
Rural Universities Support Farming Innovation, Government Technology
FCC ends E-Rate funding for Wi-Fi hotspots, school bus connectivity, Statescoop
Nearly 35B Cybersecurity Threats in 2025: Report, Telecompetitor
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ICN's News and Updates Bulletin is your monthly source for everything happening with Iowa's critical infrastructure. Subscribe here to get it delivered directly to your inbox and catch up on key infrastructure projects, new services and customer stories, and telecom and security updates.
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