Applied Connective applauds proactive measures taken by Nebraska counties to strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure
LINCOLN, Neb. — July 24, 2024 – Applied Connective, a leading managed IT and technology services provider, commends the significant strides Nebraska has made at the local government level to bolster cybersecurity measures and safeguard sensitive data.
Cyber attacks have been on a steep rise over the past few years, during which Nebraska counties have faced unprecedented challenges posed by threats ranging from malware incidents to phishing attacks targeting various financial assets.
While these unfortunate events are becoming more prevalent and more sophisticated with the rise of AI tactics, Applied Connective owner and president, Ed Knott, says they are avoidable with the proper precautions, training and cybersecurity solutions.
In the wake of these alarming cybersecurity events, Applied Connective is more committed than ever to furthering its mission of securing our state’s counties, schools and businesses with cutting-edge technology solutions to defend against ever-evolving threats. The twenty-year-old IT company has also played a pivotal role in driving the recent adoption of robust cybersecurity practices in our local governments so they can continue to serve the public good securely.
Most notably, Applied Connective, the Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO) and the Nebraska Intergovernmental Risk Management Association (NIRMA) together have coined the County Network Security Cooperative, a cybersecurity collaborative aimed at raising awareness at the local and state government level about cybersecurity risks and best practices.
This endeavor kicked off in 2022 with key Applied Connective personnel traveling the state with NIRMA and other invited MSP presenters to conduct informative lectures at various government conferences with the goal of empowering county officials with the knowledge and tools needed to enhance their cybersecurity posture. Today, NACO, NIRMA and Applied Connective continue to work together to educate Nebraska officials on emerging trends, threats, scams and best practices.
“Fast forward to today, and we’ve witnessed a significant transformation, with 92 out of 93 counties now partnering with third-party MSPs and/or employing their own IT professionals to implement comprehensive cybersecurity measures, including practices like utilizing .gov email addresses, multi-factor authentication (MFA) and proactive monitoring and management services to name a few.”
This proactive step by Nebraska institutions has drastically improved their cybersecurity posture and demonstrates that they take the safety of their constituents seriously.
Jon Cannon, NACO Executive Director, said “The rise in the number of these alarming incidents puts counties in the position of having to consider cybersecurity as part of the county’s infrastructure, just as much as the physical structure of the courthouse. We are pleased to have partnered with Applied Connective and other vendors to create a cybersecurity cooperative which offers necessary resources to counties.”
“In my role, I frequently advise county boards that there is plenty of information in the courthouse that bad actors would like to get their hands on. A safe and secure cyber environment is no less than what our citizens should expect.”
Applied Connective’s collaboration with county governments extends beyond cybersecurity, encompassing physical security solutions, such as door access control and surveillance systems. By addressing the complex security needs of local governments, Applied Connective is ensuring that public entities remain resilient in the face of emerging threats and evolving regulatory requirements.
“We applaud the proactive stance adopted by county governments in Nebraska over the past couple of years,” expressed Knott. “While we’re well aware that there are budget constraints and technological misunderstandings that need to be addressed, county officials have demonstrated a firm commitment to modernizing their IT infrastructure and protecting the communities they serve.”
Applied Connective is the technology partner of many Nebraska counties, and the technology group is also dedicated to increasing organizational safety across a wide variety of institutions and industries. In fact, its physical security systems, door access control, surveillance systems, business phone systems and AI-driven technologies are very relevant to adjacent industries, like schools, healthcare facilities and other enterprises.
For more information about Applied Connective’s cybersecurity services and partnerships with local governments, visit https://appliedconnective.com/.
ABOUT APPLIED CONNECTIVE TECHNOLOGIES
With offices in Lincoln, Elkhorn, Norfolk, Columbus and Albion, Applied Connective is an award-winning managed technology services provider (MTSP) offering expert managed IT & cybersecurity services, business phone systems, physical security solutions, low voltage and audio/video solutions and more. Applied Connective’s mission is to help customers leverage the right technologies to become their most secure, efficient and profitable, all while providing the unrivaled customer service they’ve been known for since their inception in 2004.
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