Iowa Communications Network

10/15/2026

🏆 Employee of the Month: Jason! 🏆

Building strong relationships and delivering top-tier technical work go hand in hand for Jason. Whether he is stepping up to lead a complex project or keeping everyone aligned on scheduling, he consistently goes above and beyond his job description. His proactive communication, technical standards, and kind demeanor make a lasting impression on both state agency customers and teammates alike.

Direct quote from one of the nominations: "Jason has risen to every occasion without complaint and has consistently delivered results."

🌟 Thank you for your incredible character, hard work, and dedication, Jason!

10/15/2026

Deadline is tomorrow!

Help your kiddos get their entries in!

🎨 Hey kids in Grades K - 8, have you started working on your entry for the 2026 "Be Cyber Safe!" Poster Contest yet?

Whether they're designing a Cyber Superhero (K–2), sharing Smart Social Media Habits (3–5), or exploring AI: Real vs. Fake (6–8), there's still plenty of time to submit! Quick checklist before drawing:
✅ FREE to enter
✅ Must be 100% original, hand-made artwork
✅ Must include the exact phrase: "Be Cyber Safe!"
🗓️ Submissions close Friday, October 16

STAY TUNED! Make sure to hit Follow because we’ll be dropping a special post revealing the full lineup of prizes our winners will take home!

Get full contest rules and information here:
https://icn.iowa.gov/outreach/icn-cybersecurity-poster-contest-guidelines

Iowa Department of Education

10/14/2026

Every month, our Student Advisory Council ( ) connects Iowa high school students with industry leaders for exclusive virtual learning sessions. This October, students had direct access to two cybersecurity pros, and they didn't hold back! ✨

Ahead of the meeting, students submitted questions covering daily job routines, current cyber threats, and advice on navigating a tech career.

Guest experts Elizabeth from ProCircular and ICN Security Architect Van sat down with the group for a candid, advice-packed discussion about what it really takes to work in security today.

Our sessions give these students direct access to real industry expertise, and that is what this program is all about. Can't wait for the next one! 👏

10/13/2026

“You WON'T believe what this leaked video caught on tape! (WATCH BEFORE DELETED)”

It’s the juiciest, most outrageous headline you’ve ever seen. The thumbnail is shocking, and your finger hovers right over the link.

But something feels off. There are six blurry fingers in the thumbnail. The audio doesn't quite match their lips. 🧜‍♀️

That's not a real scandal. You’re dealing with an AI deepfake! It's a Cyber Siren singing a clickbait song to weaponize your curiosity and steal your data.

Defeat them by wielding the true tools of the trade: spotting the glitches, inspecting the links, and starving the algorithm.

Swipe through the images for the full breakdown! Have a cyber-safe Halloween, and let’s make a safer Iowa together! 🎃💻

10/12/2026

Did you know the ICN connects Iowa's public libraries? 📚

When the internet goes down, the stress goes up. We’re proud to help take that stress away for library leaders like Interim Director Megan Richardson. When unexpected fiber cuts happen, we rise to the challenge with rapid ticketing, fast communication, and clear repair timelines.

Check out the full story from our friends at the Solon Public Library in the first comment below! 👇

10/12/2026

🚨 PRIZE REVEAL! 🚨

The deadline for the ICN "Be Cyber Safe!" K-8 Poster Contest is fast approaching on October 16, and we are thrilled to announce what our winners are taking home! 🎨💻

After all entries are judged, we will announce two winners per grade bracket (K-2, 3-5, and 6-8) right here on social media and via an official press release.

Each of our winners will receive an incredible prize package featuring:
🤖 A Robotics STEM Kit and Cybersecurity Books
💳 A Gift Card provided by Tier 3 Technology Solutions in Ankeny
🖍️ Fresh art supplies, activities, and gifts from the ICN
🎟️ Special gifts from the State Historical Society of Iowa of Iowa and the Iowa State Fair!

(...maybe a few extra surprises...🎁)

Don’t miss out! Get those submissions in by October 16. Help us spread the word and empower our youth to be smart, safe digital citizens.

10/10/2026

"Zombie server" sounds like the slowest barista at Starbucks. ☕

In reality, it’s the ultimate "quiet quitter" of the tech world.

It’s a machine left plugged in and running, but entirely forgotten by the IT team. It sits in the dark, wasting electricity and internet while doing absolutely zero work.

Worse? Since nobody is monitoring it, it’s basically an unlocked side door for cyberattacks.

Time to pull the plug on the undead. 🧟‍♂️

10/09/2026

IT Directors: Running a small squad? Or are you a "team of one?" Call in ICN for backup! 📞🦸‍♂️

We act as an extension of your staff, providing the managed services Iowa’s schools, hospitals, and government agencies need so you can finally catch a breath this weekend. We reinforce your defenses with:
🏰 Managed Firewalls reinforce your perimeter.
🛡️ DDoS Mitigation to deflect massive attacks.
👁️ 24/7 NOC Monitoring: Local Iowa support providing an extra set of eyes.

Rest easy. We won't let things go bump in the network

10/08/2026

💡 SYBAC STUDENT SPOTLIGHT 💡

Meet Zachary, representing Bishop Heelan High School on this year’s Statewide Youth Broadband Advisory Council (SYBAC)! 🎓✨

💬 "Computer and technology skills can be useful in almost every job field out there. I hope to gain practical skills I can use in everyday life, in college, or in a future job."

He reminds us that kindness matters and that tech is a great tool to help one another. At ICN, connecting all 99 counties is just the starting line. The true impact comes from empowering future leaders like him to dream big. The SYBAC program gives students a front-row seat to how real-world broadband and tech decisions shape Iowa.

Let him know you support him in this journey — drop a 👏 below or a comment!

Bishop Heelan Catholic High School Sioux City, Iowa Government

10/07/2026

It’s 4:45 PM on a Friday and your boss calls - sounding frantic. They need a wire transfer processed RIGHT NOW to secure an account, and they need you to handle it quietly. It sounds exactly like them.

But something feels off. There’s a weird split second of dead air. No breathing. No commute noise. 🐺

You're not talking to a human. You’re dealing with an AI voice clone! It's cyber werewolf parading as your boss to hunt for company dollars.

Defeat these modern shapeshifters by wielding the true tools of the cyber-hunting trade: verifying the source, stopping the panic, and locking your accounts with MFA.

Have a cyber-safe Halloween, and let’s make a safer Iowa together! 🎃💻