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Small, rural Valley co-op offers big range of telecom services

There are no especially large businesses or colleges in the service area. However, Valley Telecommunications Cooperative’s broadband network is now 100 percent fiber, so the cooperative’s customers enjoy access to high-quality services.
Cyber camp empowers young girls to experiment in tech, pursue their passion

I don’t know whether my Emma will grow up to be a Protector of the Internet. It’s too soon to tell, and she has years of career exploration ahead. But I do know the GenCyber experience, offering an empowering environment to learn about coding, hacking, robots, and more, will give her the confidence to pursue a passion.
Expanded internship program helps SDN as well as students

Members of the 2016 class of interns came from several South Dakota colleges. Dakota State University in Madison, which specializes in computer-technology programs, has the most (five). But SDN offers diverse business opportunities for interns and career-seekers.
Board of Managers elected to lead SDN Communications

SDN Communications’ Board of Managers was elected during its recent annual meeting. Board members will serve a one-year term.
56 sculptures on public display in downtown Sioux Falls

The 2016 edition of SculptureWalk in downtown Sioux Falls features attractions ranging from the whimsical (a flying pig, for example) to the serious and inspirational (such as a kneeling woman with her hands on her head).
Bitcoin 101: A peek into the complex world of virtual currency

The secrecy surrounding the creation of bitcoin is fitting, perhaps, because part of the appeal of the virtual currency is that users can acquire and spend it anonymously. It’s like two strangers making a private transaction with cash. Except bitcoins don’t physically exist. They only exist as electronic transactions.
Swiftel telecom services help make Brookings unique

Swiftel is the business branch of Brookings Municipal Utilities that provides telephone, TV and Internet services to homes and businesses in the city. The telecommunications system might be governed in an unusual style, but it’s effective.
Even bad guys know the value of good customer service

Ransomware thieves might use trickery to deliver their malware, but typically they clearly explain the predicament confronting victims. They explain, step by step, what victims have to do to get their computers unlocked or their files restored.
Cybersecurity camp opens important career path for girls

Girls from 14 states will attend the camp, which has an impressive lineup of speakers. It includes two special agents from the FBI, the director of security operations for Facebook and a security engineer from Google.
SDN, member companies are leaders in emergency preparedness

Representatives of SDN Communications and several of its member companies planned to get together last winter for a round of disaster training. Ironically, a real-life disaster interfered. A winter storm forced the training session to be postponed until April.
Sioux Falls seminar to help businesses fight cyber threats, build cyber culture

Cyberattacks are big, growing and constantly changing threats to businesses. Successful strikes can be devastating to a company’s finances, image and survival. Effectively reducing the risk of cyberattacks requires a significant cultural shift within organizations.
SDN emphasis on satisfying customers shows up in survey

Without good customer service, great products can lose value. Even the best offerings might go unused. The development of positive and trusting relationships between customers and representatives of a company’s sales and technical teams are crucial to the smooth delivery of telecommunications products.
UPDATE: Donald Trump’s websites get a taste of DDoS disruption

A politically motivated attack on Donald Trump’s websites that began on April Fools’ Day appears to have been a limited success, at best. The fact that the attack was announced in advance and couldn’t be prevented remains concerning, however.
BMTC: a full-service telecom in a full-service community

BMTC currently provides services to about 1,250 phone customers, 700 Internet customers and 625 cable customers. Like other telecommunications businesses, BMTC is adjusting as fewer people use landline phones.
Politically motivated or not, DDoS attacks aren’t amusing

The secretive hacktivist group Anonymous thrust itself into the spotlight recently by announcing plans to disrupt Donald Trump’s campaign and business websites, beginning April 1.
More help is available for cancer patients in Sioux Falls region

Avera has employed disease-specific navigators for several years. The new Navigation Center is designed to provide information and support to cancer patients, their family members and other people throughout Avera’s regional service area.
6 Important advantages fiber networks have over cable's low cost

With advances in technology, networking options available to businesses are better than ever. They also can be confusing. Price, alone, shouldn’t govern important decisions about networking and a company’s long-range future, however. There’s too much at stake.
ITC rises to challenge of serving rural telecom market well

Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative Inc.’s service area includes some of South Dakota’s most interesting geographic features. Minnesota’s, too.
Good reason to celebrate: Minnesota network up and running

Two US Senators, independent telephone companies and industry leaders are celebrating the launch of an expanded broadband network that now runs across southern Minnesota for the opportunities it will bring to existing, new and future businesses in the region.
SDN helps expand connectivity, economic opportunities in southern Minnesota

Businesses in southern Minnesota stand to benefit significantly from SDN Communications’ experience in building and operating an advanced broadband network in South Dakota.Now, a new partnership with seven more independent telephone companies has extended the network to the east.