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  1. Change in Leadership at SDN Communications
    After more than 21 years as CEO of SDN Communications, Mark Shlanta is stepping down. On Monday, December 20, SDN Vice President of Sales, Ryan Punt, will become CEO and lead the company that has evolved to become an industry-leading provider of telecommunications services.
  2. New fiber route to Denver strengthens SDN network
    An upgraded SDN Communications fiber route to Denver will improve connectivity, performance and UPTIME for companies with offices, warehouses, or other connectivity needs west or south of South Dakota.
  3. A partnership connecting kids to education
    When the pandemic forced schools to switch to virtual learning in 2020, Crow Creek Tribal School was no exception. But for many of the students there, virtual learning was impossible because they did not have access to the internet.
  4. Broadband grant helps deliver life-changing connectivity to West Edgemont area
    Converting rural western South Dakota customers over to fiber optics within 10 years is a giant undertaking. A federal grant is helping make that possible for some customers in 2021.
  5. Black Hills ReConnect digs in this spring with FARR Technologies at the helm
    Come spring 2022, SDN Communications plans to begin the first of two ReConnect fiber projects. Once complete, it will connect the Black Hills in a way it’s never been before.
  6. SD telecom leaders retire with nearly 70 years of industry leadership
    Three state telecommunications leaders stepped into retirement over the past year after having a front-row seat to the changes in the industry during the past two decades.
  7. DDoS attacks, employee accomplices add twists to ransom threats on businesses
    Ransomware will continue to get worse before it ever gets better. That’s the overall takeaway after reviewing SDN Communications’ latest Cyber Threat Landscape Report.
  8. The future of the telecommunications industry from two perspectives
    During the 2021 SDTA annual conference in Deadwood, industry experts Dan Caldwell and Carissa Swenson of Consortia Consulting debated the future of the rural broadband industry - where it’s going, how it will be funded and what it will look like.
  9. Preventative measures imminent as ransomware grows in sophistication
    The first thing to understand about today’s ransomware groups is that they’re highly intelligent, organized businesses.
  10. Sanford, KeyMedia share ransomware and identity theft experiences to empower others
    Being vulnerable online can open the door for hackers. However, being vulnerable by sharing experiences and lessons learned can help others respond and even avoid a similar situation. Sanford Health and KeyMedia Solutions shared their stories at the Better Business Bureau's Cybersecurity Seminar for that exact reason.
  11. Strength of cybersecurity culture tied directly to a business's risk
    If you write your passwords in a notebook, don’t know what MFA means or are unsure how to report a cybercrime — you’re not alone. According to research from the National Cybersecurity Alliance (NCSA), we’ve still got a long way to go to reach significant culture change in online security.
  12. Ransomware and phishing trends impacting cyber insurance
    Dan Hanson with Marsh & McLennan Agency and Michael Nougier of Eide Bailly, LLP, take a relaxed, conversation-style approach to break down the trends and opportunities small and medium-sized businesses face. We have five takeaways from their discussion.
  13. SDN sponsors CityAge event exploring burgeoning economies of mid-size cities
    SDN Communications is excited to co-sponsor the next CityAge virtual event exploring the possibilities economic growth can bring to cities such as Sioux Falls.
  14. Affected by today’s Internet Blackout Day?
    Here’s how SDN’s Managed Services team is keeping customers connected. September 30th, is being referred to by some as an Internet Blackout day. This event is being caused by an expired software certificate.
  15. Cyberattacks may be trending down in 2021 but consequences remain huge
    When a hacking group named DarkSide launched a cyberattack against Colonial Pipeline in spring 2021, the gas company paid a $4.4 million ransom to bring its fuel distribution operations back online.
  16. Nemo, Rochford, Silver City fiber permit approved
    The fiber permits apply only to what SDN calls ReConnect 1 – bringing fiber out of Rapid City on Highway 44 to Highway 385 and north to Merritt before branching off to Nemo, Rochford, and Silver City.
  17. Experts to help businesses gauge cybersecurity preparedness at upcoming event
    Cyber threats are a constant concern for businesses of all sizes — and what was safe and secure six months ago might not be today. That’s insight from one of the speakers of the upcoming 2021 Sioux Falls Cybersecurity Conference.
  18. Passion for technology drives Austin Hansen to new GM role at BMTC
    Beresford native Austin Hansen began his telecommunications career while in high school. He worked at the Beresford Municipal Telephone Company (BMTC) as part of a School-to-Work program.
  19. Don’t want to report a cyber attack on your business? Then prevent them.
    Ransomware is now considered one of the two biggest cyber threats to our country according to former CISA Director Chris Krebs. And the FBI estimates only 25% to 30% of cybersecurity incidents get reported to federal law enforcement.
  20. Company values at the core of hiring and growing employees
    SDN’s core values drive more than the customer experience; they also impact hiring and culture within the organization. Like many companies across the country, SDN is seeking qualified people to join the team. However, just having the technical know-how isn’t enough.