6 S E P T E M B E R 2 0 2 5 Common Security Threats Information systems are among a company’s most vital assets, yet they are sometimes left vulnerable to threats that could damage or destroy them. In addition to computer viruses, common threats include: Denial-of-Service Attacks A denial-of-service attack (DoS) is an attempt to make a computer resource unavailable to its intended users. It generally involves preventing an internet site or service from functioning efficiently or at all. Cyber Extortion Cyber extortion is a new twist on an old racket—“Give us money or we’ll shut you down.” Methods vary but can include a DoS, theft of confidential data, defacement of your website, or an attack that locks up or encrypts your data. Unsecured Wireless Access Points An unsecured Wireless Access Point (WAP) or an Access Point that is using old, outdated technology for security (such as WEP) provides a hacker with an easy route into your network. Rootkit A rootkit is a set of software tools intended to conceal running processes, files, or system data from the operating system. Rootkits have been used increasingly by malware to help intruders maintain access to systems while avoiding detection. The Fiber Broadband Association estimates that nearly as much fiber will be deployed in the U.S. between 2024 and 2029 as has been deployed throughout history. This infrastructure transformation is being driven by significant federal investments combined with innovations in technology and changes in consumer demand. In 2023, promised federal funding for infrastructure began flowing, injecting new vigor into broadband expansion and infrastructure modernization. The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides money for fiber network projects in areas not yet served by broadband and includes a separate provision for underserved locations in high-cost areas. An estimated 11.8 million locations—households and businesses, rural and urban—are considered either unserved or underserved. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act isn’t the only program helping to fund broadband projects. The Broadband, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program provides $42.45 billion to expand high-speed internet access through the planning and deployment of broadband infrastructure in all 50 states, and the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) is awarding $20.4 billion worth of funding to expand broadband connectivity to the most rural areas of the country. Another factor in the growth of fiber deployment is the evolution of fiber technology, which continues to provide faster speeds, lower latencies, improved resiliency, greater security, and more flexible applications. For example, a record-breaking 800 Gbps data rate was recently transmitted at a distance of 4,887 miles using a single wavelength of light. Remote working during the pandemic caused demand for high-speed network connectivity to increase, and it’s continued to climb since. In the business world, there’s been an explosion of data-intensive applications such as cloud computing, generative AI, and the Internet of Things (IoT), which all rely on fast and reliable data transmission. In addition, consumers are engaged in more data-heavy leisure activities like video streaming and online gaming. Venture Communications began our fiber journey in 1989, when a 150-mile fiber-optic cable project was completed that buried fiber from Hitchcock to Highmore. Since then, we’ve continued to expand our fiber footprint to bring the most advanced services to our customers. We’re in a Transformative Era for Fiber Deployment
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTMzNDE=