News

ADVISORY - Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley, Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Ford, and Chief Data Officer Dorman Bazzell will participate in the 39^th Annual Government IT Symposium Dec. 8 - 10. North Dakota’s statewide computer science and cybersecurity education initiative, code-named K-20W to reflect “kindergarten through PhD and workforce,” is also nominated for a Golden GOVIT award.

A statewide Hour of Code will take place Dec. 7 - 11 as part of a nationwide, annual event hosted by Code.org. Held in conjunction with Computer Science Education Week, the event is part of a broader effort to give students of all ages opportunities to learn about coding and computer science as foundational 21st century skills. Microsoft is encouraging students to participate in Hour of Code, including offering one classroom a chance to win micro:bit kits and a virtual training session.

North Dakota Chief Information Officer Shawn Riley today encouraged North Dakota students, parents and educators to explore the exciting educational and career opportunities available during Cybersecurity Career Awareness Week.

Gov. Doug Burgum today announced the state’s participation in CyberStart America, an innovative, online cybersecurity competition sponsored by the National Cyber Scholarship Foundation and SANS Institute. The competition encourages high school students to explore their aptitude for cybersecurity and computer science with a chance to win prizes and scholarships. Registration is open and play begins today. The competition runs through Feb. 28, 2021.

Code.org, the Computer Science Teachers Association, and the Expanding Computing Education Pathways Alliance have released the 2020 State of Computer Science Education: Illuminating Disparities. The report shows that despite increased diversity in computer science classrooms across the country over the last decade, disparities still exist as fewer than half of high schools in the U.S. teach computer science.

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).

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.