Cyber Thugs Laugh At Your Small Business’ Antivirus Software
Increasingly, small businesses are big targets for bad actors on the web. Recent analysis suggests that 46% of all cyber breaches impact businesses with fewer than 1,000 employees, with malware and ransomware attacks generating $2.8 billion in damages in 2020.1
Lou McAlister Becomes Latest Digital Leader to Join Forge Institute’s Advisory Board
Forge Institute, a national leader in increasing digital capabilities for organizations nationwide, announced today that Lou McAlister, co-founder and CEO of Broadband Development Group and author of the entrepreneurial guidebook No Substitutes, has joined the Forge Institute Board of Advisors. McAlister’s service to the Forge Advisory Board begins immediately.
Acxiom & Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas join as sponsors of 2023 Forge Cyber Summit
Forge Institute announces Acxiom has joined as a Presenting Sponsor of the highly anticipated Forge Cyber Summit 2023, scheduled to take place Oct 4-5 in Little Rock. A global leader in data-driven marketing solutions, Acxiom’s continued commitment to cybersecurity excellence resonates with the Summit’s mission to foster innovation, collaboration, and advancements in the digital security landscape.
A Community of Cyber Warriors: An Interview with the Forge Fellowship
In 2021, Forge Institute partnered with DOD SkillBridge to create a unique, one-of-its kind program designed to provide transitioning military members with a work-based cyber learning internship opportunity in the private sector. The Forge Fellowship program was launched with five Fellows.Two years later, I caught up with four of those members to glean their insight into the program and its importance to the state and nation’s security.
Cyber Advisory: Volt Typhoon
In the last few months, a stealthy and targeted malicious cyber campaign has targeted critical infrastructure organizations within the United States, posing a threat to both private and public sectors. [Read More]
Forge Institute and the Arkansas Conference of Technology (ACOT) Team Up to Fortify Arkansas Schools against Cyber Adversaries to Safeguard Our Kids
In response to the alarming rise of cyber threats targeting educational institutions, Forge Institute is thrilled to announce a significant partnership with the Arkansas Conference of Technology (ACOT). This collaboration aims to reinforce cybersecurity across Arkansas’ schools, providing a robust shield for students, faculty, and staff against evolving digital threats.
What Being a Mustang Means to Me: A Journey of Growth and Leadership
As the Chief External Affairs Officer of the Forge Institute, a former Air Force Master Sergeant, and now retired Commissioned Officer, my journey has been one of transformation and personal growth. In this post, I want to reflect on what it truly means to be a "Mustang" and how this unique experience has shaped me both in the military and in my current role.
Unleashing Cyber Insights: Trailblazing Keynotes by Dr. Dane Egli, Tere Brun, & Scott Shyne Await at the Forge Cyber Summit!
The annual Arkansas Cyber Summit is set to take place on October 4th-5th, showcasing the intersection of cybersecurity and the natural beauty of the region. Hosted less than 30 minutes from downtown Little Rock, this two-day event will feature insights, best practices and first-hand cyber defensive & AI experiences from national industry professionals, government leaders, and cybersecurity enthusiasts.
Forge Academy Graduate Spotlight: Morgan Fleury's Journey in Cybersecurity!
Transitioning from Military Police Officer to Cybersecurity: My Journey with Forge Institute
Acxiom and Forge Institute Partner to Pave Tech Career Pathways for Veterans
Acxiom sponsors the Forge Fellowship program, offering internship and professional coaching opportunities to help military service members break into the booming cybersecurity and digital industries.
Why Cybersecurity Should Be the #2 Priority for Small Businesses
In today's interconnected world, the digital landscape has become an essential part of conducting business, enabling small businesses to thrive and reach wider audiences. However, as the reliance on technology grows, so does the need for robust cybersecurity measures. Unfortunately, many small businesses underestimate the significance of cybersecurity. While we agree that building profitability and taking care of customers are the chief priorities of any small business, the case for cybersecurity being your number two priority is very strong.
Forge Institute Announces Strategic Collaboration with the Arkansas Municipal League
The Forge Institute announced a pivotal collaboration with the Arkansas Municipal League (AML) and the Arkansas Cyber Defense Center (ACDC). This partnership aims to provide crucial cybersecurity services and expertise to the municipalities of Arkansas, thereby fortifying the state's cyber defenses.
FOREVER ONE STEP AHEAD: FORGE INSTITUTE GRADUATES NEXT GENERATION OF CYBER WARRIORS
Positions in information security and cybersecurity are of the highest value among companies and organizations of nearly any size. As our processes become more digitized, dark web adversaries have become more brazen, which has increased demand for a workforce fortified with specialized technical skills – skills that cannot be acquired from online, at-your-pace certification programs.
Consortium for Cyber Innovation members announce strategic collaboration with the Department of Energy & Idaho National Laboratory
Forge Institute (Forge), a subrecipient of UA Little Rock’s $1 million grant, announced a collaboration to establish a new research project to enhance protections for Arkansas’s energy utilities against energy-focused cyberattacks within the existing Forge Institute Emerging Threat Center. This project is part of the Consortium for Cyber Innovation (CCI), which is led by Forge and includes UA Little Rock and the University of Arkansas.
Renowned Author and Cyber Expert Perry Carpenter Joins Forge Institute Board of Advisors
Perry Carpenter is an internationally recognized thought leader in the area of security awareness, security behavior management practices, and social engineering. He is author of the recently published, “The Security Culture Playbook: An Executive Guide To Reducing Risk and Developing Your Human Defense Layer.” He also serves as Chief Evangelist & Strategy Officer for KnowBe4, the world's largest integrated platform for security awareness training combined with simulated phishing attacks.
Arkansas Cyber Defense Center receives major boost from statewide partnerships
“It’s been a great privilege to work with this team,” said Mark Hayes before officially signing the MOU. “I think we have a great opportunity for our state, and to be only one of three states in the country doing this kind of work is amazing.”
Why Cyber Has Become the Next Big Career Boom for Women
“The cyber field is in tremendous need of diverse talent,” says Hartman. “As a woman in cyber security, you would also have the opportunity to help break down barriers and challenge the status quo.”
Statement Regarding Current Arkansas Legislation that impacts Computer Science
Computer science is not just a career pathway, it's part of every single aspect of our world. How could we let a student graduate high school without access to this basic education? If we do, we're not preparing them for the world which they are entering. (read more)
Forge Institute Scales Collaboration to Help Improve Cyber Resiliency for Small Businesses
Forge Institute announced today that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Forge Institute and the Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC), based at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The expanded collaboration endeavors to support Arkansas’ small businesses by helping to improve cyber resilience. The MOU also serves as an addendum to the Collaboration Agreement established between Forge Institute and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock signed in January of last year.
Forge Institute launches free Cyber Risk Assessments for Arkansas Small Businesses
In an effort to harden the state’s defenses against cyberattacks, the Forge Institute Arkansas Cyber Defense Center (ACDC) is offering Cyber Risk Assessments for Arkansas small businesses. The Cyber Risk Assessment is offered at no cost to small businesses, and is part of the U.S. Small Business Administration (US SBA) “Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program, which provided funding for the Arkansas Cyber Defense Center (ACDC). The Program was launched to further build capacity and expand critical cybersecurity services to address the escalating cyber attacks targeting small businesses.