News & Announcements
The Forge Institute is proud to announce the startups selected for the highly competitive Phoenix Xcelerator program. After an extensive review of applicants from across the nation, these early-stage innovators have been chosen for their cutting-edge solutions and potential to disrupt their categories.
The Phoenix Xcelerator is a no-cost, no-equity accelerator designed to fast-track promising startups tackling aerospace and defense challenges.
Smishing attacks are on the rise, and cybercriminals are now using USPS impersonation scams to trick unsuspecting victims. These scams rely on fraudulent text messages containing seemingly legitimate PDF attachments, designed to steal sensitive information from users who trust official-looking documents.
The Forge Institute is proud to announce the startups selected for the highly competitive Phoenix Xcelerator program. After an extensive review of applicants from across the nation, these early-stage innovators have been chosen for their cutting-edge solutions and potential to disrupt their categories.
Forge Institute today announced the launch of Atomic Anvil, a groundbreaking program designed to bolster national security by connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and non-traditional entities to mission partners within the Department of Defense. This initiative, in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX) Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with Parallax Advanced Research (Parallax), will accelerate technology transfer and transition to address critical national security needs.
The Forge Institute proudly announces Walter Burgess as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the Phoenix Xcelerator Program. With over 28 years of leadership in technology and innovation, Walter brings unparalleled insight to this flagship initiative, which empowers early-stage entrepreneurs and strengthens the national defense ecosystem.
Forge Institute, recognized for pioneering private-public partnerships in the national defense arena, is proud to announce a multi-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Information Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
Today, the Forge Institute announced a strategic partnership with the Arkansas Aerospace & Defense Alliance (AADA). This partnership will boost access to veteran talent, enhance the cybersecurity capabilities of the aerospace & defense industry in Arkansas, and drive innovation collaborations to support national defense.
Forge Institute is proud to announce the launch of the Phoenix Xcelerator, a pioneering program designed to empower & grow startups across the defense and aerospace sectors. Through structured programming—including a rigorous high-quality curriculum, personalized mentorship, and coaching—the Phoenix Xcelerator advances industry-informed and mission-led innovation. The program is funded in-part through a grant from the Arkansas Economic Development Commission (AEDC).
The Forge Institute is proud to announce the launch of Embers Xcelerator: Grid-Connected Cyber, a pre-accelerator program focused on growing innovations for grid-connected resilience, and the Forge Institute Mentorship Program.
Forge Institute, in collaboration with UA Little Rock and the University of Arkansas, has recently completed a successful Cyber Threat Training course which aims to bolster the cyber security defenses of the Nation’s energy infrastructure.
The 5th Annual Forge Institute Cyber Summit will be held on October 7-8, 2024, at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. This pivotal event will convene top cybersecurity experts and stakeholders to discuss the latest strategies and innovations in cyber defense.
Jim Richberg, Fortinet’s Head of Cyber Policy and Global Field Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), will deliver a keynote address.
The Arkansas Cyber Defense Center (ACDC) is actively working to help water treatment facilities across the state mitigate vulnerabilities from cyber attacks, particularly those posed by nation-state actors.
“We are thrilled to welcome Mark and Barbara to our Advisory Board. Dr. Stevens’ formidable expertise in cybersecurity and data science will be instrumental as we continue to elevate our national digital defenses. Mr. Cheng has a rich background in strategic analysis and leadership, and is quite skilled at forging partnerships to advance business and national security objectives. We welcome their expertise in supporting our mission of keeping America one step ahead in cyber and data security," stated Lee Watson, Chairman and CEO of the Forge Institute.
Forge Institute has named new officers to its leadership team. Daniel Ross is the new Chief Growth Officer and Jim Schnoes will serve as the Chief Financial & Compliance Officer.
The 5th Annual Forge Institute Cyber Summit, a cornerstone event in the cybersecurity calendar, is scheduled for October 7-8 at the Statehouse Convention Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. This year, Forge Institute is pleased to announce that the Summit will be held in conjunction with the Arkansas Attorney General’s Cybersecurity Summit. This strategic alignment not only underscores the partnership between the Forge Institute and the Attorney General but also enriches the event's programming and extends its impact. By hosting the Summit alongside the Conference, Forge Institute continues to lead the way in cybersecurity innovation and education, while significantly expanding access to crucial cybersecurity knowledge and resources for defending our critical infrastructure.
Forge Institute, a leading national provider of cybersecurity training and workforce development solutions, has been recognized with the prestigious 2023 HIRE Vets Medallion Award Platinum Level from the U.S. Department of Labor. This distinguished honor acknowledges Forge Institute's exceptional commitment to recruiting, upskilling, and employing veterans.
"Employers like us are thrilled to have people who've been through great training and are prepared to hit the ground running because there is a shortage of cyber talent,” emphasized a cybersecurity professional. "It’s hard to put a price tag on what it means for our company when we can take current team members and add to their infosec and technical skills. It also helps employees progress their long-term career as an information security expert."
Forge Institute is thrilled to announce the newest member of its Advisory Board, Michael Orlando, a seasoned leader with deep expertise in counterintelligence and national security. In his role on the board, Mr. Orlando will leverage his extensive background to further Forge’s goal of developing a fortified regional defense innovation ecosystem.
Forge Institute promotes Scott Anderson to Chief External Affairs Officer, adds additional team members and prepares for continued growth
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.
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.
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]
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.”
The Arkansas Cyber Defense Center (ACDC) is committed to enhancing the cybersecurity posture of organizations across the state of Arkansas. Our focus includes analyzing emerging threats, understanding the tactics employed by cybercriminals, and providing guidance to mitigate these threats. In the context of increasing global ransomware incidents, this blog aims to spotlight the Black Basta ransomware variant, explaining its operational tactics and offering prevention strategies.