DOE announces $45 million investment for cybersecurity research

DOE announces $45 million investment for cybersecurity research FEBRUARY 26, 2024 The Department of Energy on Monday announced a $45 million investment into cybersecurity research for the energy sector, including projects on artificial intelligence detection and response and quantum communication for the grid. DOE’s Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and…

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FBI: Play ransomware gang has attacked 300 orgs since 2022

FBI: Play ransomware gang has attacked 300 orgs since 2022 December 18th, 2023 The ransomware gang behind several devastating attacks on major American cities has allegedly launched more than 300 successful incidents since June 2022, according to cybersecurity officials in the United States and Australia. The FBI joined the Cybersecurity…

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AI threats are here. Are Biden and the energy industry ready?

AI threats are here. Are Biden and the energy industry ready? 10/30/2023 The White House launched a new strategy Monday to protect American privacy — and critical infrastructure like the electric grid — from artificial intelligence gone wrong. But as AI creeps into the energy sector, experts say much more…

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Cyberattacks on the power grid are on the rise as utilities seeking security play catch-up

Cyberattacks on the power grid are on the rise as utilities seeking security play catch-up

Cyberattacks on the power grid are on the rise as utilities seeking security play catch-up Energize Weekly, August 9, 2023 In the summer of 2022, the Colorado Springs Utilities alerted its customers that their data from its system had been hacked. Several months later, 2,000 wind turbines in Germany were…

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Oil and gas sector routinely targeted by cyberattackers, experts say

Oil and gas sector routinely targeted by cyberattackers, experts say April 10, 2023 Cybersecurity experts say they aren’t surprised by the revelation contained within a package of leaked U.S. intelligence documents suggesting Russian-backed hackers successfully gained access to Canada’s natural gas distribution network. They say oil and gas infrastructure in…

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House bill aims to create lending institution for infrastructure projects

House bill aims to create lending institution for infrastructure projects Feb. 7, 2023 The bank would help finance work such as transportation projects, ports, electric grid security and broadband connectivity, according to the release. The bill also allows for broad discretion by the bank to invest in any infrastructure projects…

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FCC revives push to speed up telecom incident disclosures

FCC revives push to speed up telecom incident disclosures Jan. 10, 2023 The Federal Communications Commission on Friday announced it unanimously voted to pursue changes to how and when telecommunications network operators disclose data breaches. The current rules, under Section 222 of the Communications Act, are more than 15 years…

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Ozark Fiber Acquires Missouri Telecom’s Residential and SMB Internet and Voice Business

Ozark Fiber Acquires Missouri Telecom’s Residential and SMB Internet and Voice Business January 01, 2023 Effective January 1, 2023, Ozark Fiber has acquired Missouri Telecom’s internet and voice business for residential and small-to-medium-sized businesses in Monett, MO and surrounding areas. “We are pleased to welcome Missouri Telecom’s customers to the…

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Philadelphians welcomed PhilTel’s first free public phone as a small way to resist big tech

Philadelphians welcomed PhilTel’s first free public phone as a small way to resist big tech Dec 17, 2022 A group of about 20 tech-savvy engineers and programmers gathered Saturday afternoon at a Philadelphia bookstore to celebrate the installation of an old-fashioned public pay phone. Organizers of the project hope the…

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Intermedia Cloud Communications Further Demonstrates Commitment to Highest Levels of Data and Platform Security with New ISO Certification

Intermedia Cloud Communications Further Demonstrates Commitment to Highest Levels of Data and Platform Security with New ISO Certification Dec 13, 2022 Intermedia Cloud Communications, a leading provider of cloud communications and collaboration solutions to businesses and the partners that serve them, announced today that its cloud communications platform has received…

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How Shreveport, Louisiana, used blockchain technology to build a low-cost public WiFi network

How Shreveport, Louisiana, used blockchain technology to build a low-cost public WiFi network Nov. 29, 2022 When Shreveport, Louisiana, hired Keith Hanson as its chief technology officer and smart cities director in 2019, the city’s mayor asked him to address the digital divide and create a smarter city. Both efforts…

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Flume says cities overflowing with fiber but accessibility lags

Flume says cities overflowing with fiber but accessibility lags Nov 21, 2022 Flume, a New York City-based fiber provider, has made strides over the past couple of years offering gigabit service to lower-income households. But there are still hurdles in place hindering broadband accessibility, according to Flume co-founders Brandon Gibson…

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BLM Proposes Rule to Bolster Broadband Infrastructure and Enhance Power Grid Security on Public Lands

BLM Proposes Rule to Bolster Broadband Infrastructure and Enhance Power Grid Security on Public Lands 11/3/22  In support of ensuring access to reliable high-speed internet service for every American and enhancing the reliability, security, and resiliency of the electric power grid, the Bureau of Land Management is proposing to update…

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CBB approves $26.5M in grants to expand broadband to thousands of Vermonters

CBB approves $26.5M in grants to expand broadband to thousands of Vermonters 10/25/2022 The Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB) approved three grants totaling $26.45 Million to bring broadband to more than 4,000 underserved Vermont addresses. First, $9.1 million has been awarded to the Maple Broadband/Waitsfield and Champlain Valley Telecom (WCVT)…

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$1B Cybersecurity Grant Program Still Coming Into Focus

$1B Cybersecurity Grant Program Still Coming Into Focus OCTOBER 16, 2022 State and local governments are preparing to use $1 billion from the federal infrastructure law to improve cybersecurity. It marks the most significant federal support yet for protecting the computer networks and data of smaller governments. But many crucial…

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Verizon begins 5G internet to Philadelphia homes, competing with Xfinity broadband

Verizon begins 5G internet to Philadelphia homes, competing with Xfinity broadband 10/12/22 Verizon has launched 5G wireless home-internet service in Philadelphia. It’s not available to all city residents because of where the company has placed small cell towers on telephone poles and city property. But it is competing with Comcast…

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Sagebrush Cellular selects Ericsson to modernize its network with 5G capabilities

Sagebrush Cellular selects Ericsson to modernize its network with 5G capabilities October 4, 2022 Sagebrush Cellular, an affiliate of Nemont Telephone Cooperative, announced today that it will partner with Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) to modernize its network with 5G capabilities. Based in rural Montana, the company is the only source of…

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Singapore opens first physical 6G lab in the region

Singapore opens first physical 6G lab in the region 26 Sep 2022 Singapore’s state regulator, Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) has partnered with the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) to launch the Future Communications Connectivity (FCC)lab. It has been set-up as part of Singapore’s S$70 million Future Communications…

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Appalachian Power, Wheeling Power report WV broadband project on track for 2023 completion

Appalachian Power, Wheeling Power report WV broadband project on track for 2023 completion September 12, 2022 According to an update reported to the Public Service Commission of West Virginia last week, Appalachian Power and Wheeling Power have completed design, engineering and pole replacements in Logan and Mingo counties, leaving them…

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Massachusetts getting municipal infrastructure improvements

Massachusetts getting municipal infrastructure improvements August 30, 2022 Newly signed legislation in Massachusetts will provide millions for municipal infrastructure improvements. Earlier this month, Gov. Charlie Baker signed MassTRAC legislation into law to provide funding that is designed to prop up municipal infrastructure needs throughout the state with an $11.4 billion…

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Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Says Rural Telecom Provider Must Respond To Consumer Advocate

Hawaii Public Utilities Commission Says Rural Telecom Provider Must Respond To Consumer Advocate August 17, 2022 Hawaii utility regulators have agreed to force a telecommunications firm to answer questions about its ability to continue providing service to thousands of Native Hawaiian customers living on Hawaiian homelands. A lawyer for Sandwich…

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America’s Two Biggest Cable Broadband Monopolies Failed To Add Any New Customers Last Quarter

America’s Two Biggest Cable Broadband Monopolies Failed To Add Any New Customers Last Quarter Aug 8th 2022 Roughly 83 million Americans currently live under a broadband monopoly. In most instances, their only choice is Comcast or Charter Communications, which sells service under the “Spectrum” brand. And in both cases, users…

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Privacy bill strips FCC oversight of telecom data abuse, worrying consumer advocates

Privacy bill strips FCC oversight of telecom data abuse, worrying consumer advocates AUG 2, 2022 Sweeping federal privacy legislation meant to crack down on big tech could inadvertently give telecoms a free pass to mishandle consumer data, privacy advocates warn. Under the American Data Privacy Protection Act, the Federal Communications…

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FCC’s Rosenworcel proposes ‘100/20’ as new broadband minimum requirement

FCC’s Rosenworcel proposes ‘100/20’ as new broadband minimum requirement Jul 18, 2022 FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel proposed raising the minimum broadband speed standard in the U.S. from 25 Mbps for downloads and 3 Mbps for uploads to 100 Mbps for downloads and 20 Mbps for uploads. The proposal was made…

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White House backed fund promises to accelerate ‘deep tech’ advancements in cybersecurity

White House backed fund promises to accelerate ‘deep tech’ advancements in cybersecurity JUL 11, 2022 An investment fund supported by the White House and partially bankrolled by tech heavyweights Peter Thiel, Eric Schmidt and Craig Newmark is making a big bet that “deep technologies” will give the U.S. the edge…

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Virginia receives $219.8 million for broadband expansion

Virginia receives $219.8 million for broadband expansion Jul 5, 2022 The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently announced that Virginia is one of four states poised to expand access to rural high-speed internet service. Under the American Rescue Plan’s Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund, Virginia received $219.8 million, which represents 100%…

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Beijing-backed hackers breach ‘major telecommunications companies,’ authorities warn

Beijing-backed hackers breach ‘major telecommunications companies,’ authorities warn 06/08/22 Cyber hackers backed by China are successfully targeting U.S. telecommunications companies in major breaches, the federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) warned on Tuesday. Read more

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Study: State’s broadband investment will help address ‘digital divide,’ ‘pay for itself’

Study: State’s broadband investment will help address ‘digital divide,’ ‘pay for itself’ 5/31/2022 A $400 million investment in broadband internet infrastructure approved by Illinois lawmakers in 2019 could pay for itself by added tax revenues alone within four years of completion of construction, according to a new study. Read more

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NYSEG and RG&E Announce “Reliable Energy New York” Plans

NYSEG and RG&E Announce “Reliable Energy New York” Plans May 26, 2022 Today, New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E), subsidiaries of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), announced the companies have filed proposed changes to delivery rates with the New York State Public Service Commission…

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Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack: Lessons for Technologists

Colonial Pipeline Ransomware Attack: Lessons for Technologists May 23, 2022 While technologists have always understood the damage that ransomware could do to an organization’s infrastructure and data, the May 2021 attack that targeted Colonial Pipeline IT infrastructure changed the game for good. Read more

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White House Says $110 Billion in Infrastructure Funds Released in First 6 Months

White House Says $110 Billion in Infrastructure Funds Released in First 6 Months May 16, 2022 The White House on Monday said it has released $110 billion in funding from the $1 trillion infrastructure package that seeks to fix crumbling roads, expand broadband internet and improve the electrical grid. Read…

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Internet Service Essentially Free for Millions Under New Biden Program

Internet Service Essentially Free for Millions Under New Biden Program MAY 9, 2022 President Biden announced Monday that he’s convinced 20 major broadband providers, like AT&T and Comcast, to offer low-cost high-speed internet plans for $30 a month or less. Combined with a $30 monthly discount lower-income people are already…

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Compute North breaks ground on 300MW data center in Granbury, Texas

Compute North breaks ground on 300MW data center in Granbury, Texas April 12, 2022 Compute North is building a 300MW data center at a gas-fired power plant in Texas. The blockchain & HPC data center firm has announced that construction is underway to build a 300MW data center next to…

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US telecommunications company likely targeted by Russian hackers shares details of Feb. 24 attack

US telecommunications company likely targeted by Russian hackers shares details of Feb. 24 attack MAR 30, 2022 The U.S. telecommunications company targeted as the Russian military attacked Ukraine on Feb. 24 said Wednesday that a misconfigured virtual private network allowed hackers to gain the access needed to knock key modems…

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Federal agencies warn Russian cyber operations pose continued threat to U.S. energy infrastructure

Federal agencies warn Russian cyber operations pose continued threat to U.S. energy infrastructure March 28, 2022 In a joint advisory published this week, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the United States Department of Energy (DOE) assessed that state-sponsored Russian cyber operations…

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