News

North Dakota Information Technology Department (NDIT) and North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) have received reports of 'spoofing' attacks in which cybercriminals misrepresent themselves as a healthcare professional to extract personal information. Criminals may also be using phone number masking tools to conceal their phone numbers or to emulate the NDDoH public health hotline (866-207-2880).

North Dakota’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System (SLDS) program now provides daily data on school, district and state learning preferences for students; face to face; hybrid (for example, two days a week face to face); or all distance learning: https://insights.nd.gov/Education/State/COVID.

Background

Several NDIT teams including EduTech, Collaboration Technologies, Security and Network have built strong relationships with North Dakota’s school districts over the years

Today, in conjunction with National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the theme ‘Do Your Part. #BeCyberSmart.’ Governor Burgum issued a proclamation to bring awareness to protecting our state and citizens from increasing cyber threats due to COVID-19. North Dakota Information Technology (NDIT) also announced a new statewide cybersecurity outreach “DefeND” campaign during the Governor’s press conference.

North Dakota Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley and Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Ford will participate in the third annual critical infrastructure and cybersecurity conference scheduled for Oct. 6 – 7, 2020. Hosted by Bismarck State College, this year’s event will be held virtually and features experts including NFL Senior Vice President of Security Cathy Lanier and owner of Black Hills Information Security John Strand.

North Dakota Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Ford  and NDUS Vice Chancellor of Information Technology Darin King announced today that NDIT Cybersecurity Operations Center (CyOC) and North Dakota University Systems’ technology team Core Technology Services (CTS) are partnering to ensure heightened cybersecurity as universities adapt to changing technology needs and increased virtual learning needs.

North Dakota Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley today announced the availability of CyberPatriot, an online cybersecurity competition for middle and high school students. CyberPatriot is the National Youth Cyber Education Program created by the Air Force Association to inspire K-12 students toward careers in cybersecurity or other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines critical to our nation's future. 

North Dakota Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Ford announced today that anti-malware software is available to all counties in North Dakota at no cost to their agencies. 

The Scenario

Testing and contact tracing have become part of our daily vernacular.

North Dakota Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Ford announced today that anti-malware software is available to all K-12 schools in North Dakota at no cost. NDIT is able to provide installation, licenses and self-service access for schools due to enhanced capabilities and a unified, statewide approach to cybersecurity strategy. Previously a small fee was required per device; however, that requirement is being removed due to increased threats tied to the pandemic and more widespread virtual learning.