HARTFORD, Conn. –
The Connecticut Education Network (CEN), Connecticut’s premier high-speed internet service provider for education, public safety, and government institutions, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Since its founding, CEN has been instrumental in delivering reliable, high-capacity broadband to schools, libraries, municipalities, and other public organizations, helping to advance digital equity and innovation across the state.
As technology becomes increasingly vital to public services, the intersection between cybersecurity and CEN’s mission has become a focal point. CEN not only provides connectivity but also plays a critical role in safeguarding the digital infrastructure of Connecticut’s public sector. This year’s milestone conference places a spotlight on that evolving role, especially through partnerships that enhance the state’s cyber resilience.
One of the key highlights of the event is a joint presentation by Sergeant Ian Heath of the Connecticut Army National Guard and Ian Alexander from the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS). The duo will present an interim report on the 2025 Cyber Assessment Mission, an ongoing effort to evaluate and strengthen the cybersecurity posture of public entities across Connecticut.
Ian Alexander will also share updates on the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP), including how eligible organizations can apply and what resources are available through this federal initiative. DEMHS was awarded funding through SLCGP to help fortify the cybersecurity defenses of critical infrastructure sectors statewide.
In partnership with the Connecticut Military Department, including the Connecticut National Guard, DEMHS has been leading a coordinated cybersecurity assessment campaign. The mission targets a broad spectrum of public organizations—K-12 school districts, health districts, municipalities, water and wastewater systems, and Councils of Governments (COGs). These assessments identify vulnerabilities, recommend mitigation strategies, and help build long-term cyber resilience.
According to interim findings from the 2025 mission, organizations assessed since the last major cyber mission in 2023 have shown marked improvement in several key areas. These include enhanced end-user cybersecurity training, broader adoption of Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), and deployment of Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) technologies.
As CEN celebrates 25 years of connecting Connecticut, the conference serves as a powerful reminder that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. With strategic partnerships like those between CEN, DEMHS, and the Connecticut National Guard, the state is building a safer, more secure digital future for all.