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IT strategy board hears broadband expansion figures and cybersecurity outreach report
Summary
A departing board participant summarized progress on statewide broadband expansion—potentially reaching an additional ~161,000 households and about 189,000 already underway—and highlighted cybersecurity education and outreach that reached roughly 10,000 students.
A departing participant at the IT Strategy Board meeting provided an update on broadband expansion and cybersecurity outreach, saying the state’s programs could add about 161,000 households to high-speed fiber eligibility while roughly 189,000 households and an estimated 104,000 business locations are already in progress, for nearly 350,000 locations overall.
The speaker described the Continuity Access to Broadband (CAB) program and credited ongoing state efforts under the Cooper administration for progress on broadband deployment. He also noted delays tied to budget timing and legislative language but said the work is advancing.
On cybersecurity, the speaker described a partnership with Accenture for an Hour of Code event during Computer Science Week that reached 51 classrooms and approximately 10,000 students either in person or virtually. The program introduced students to password security, phishing and basic coding vulnerabilities; the speaker urged students to take security lessons home to families.
The speaker warned of continuing national cybersecurity threats and said state officials must remain vigilant, especially in light of recent reporting about foreign intrusions affecting telecom providers. He framed the outreach efforts as part of a broader effort to improve the state’s cybersecurity posture.
The board did not take formal action on the broadband numbers or the outreach report during the meeting. Staff and members discussed ensuring the annual report reflects these items before distribution to legislative oversight bodies.
The meeting adjourned after governance business and elections were completed.
