Policymakers and stakeholders of all kinds have heralded the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program’s $42.5 Billion in funding as a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity to bring high-performance broadband to all Americans. The key now is to make sure that this generational investment results in generational change.
Cyberattacks are on the rise, and it is critical that broadband providers have plans in place to mitigate threats before they occur. It is not enough to just build a network; providers must take steps to promote the security of their networks and their customers’ information. This is not only a good business practice but is also a top priority at the federal level.
Since early in 2022, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association (NTCA) and the Fiber Broadband Association (FBA) have joined to help state broadband offices and interested stakeholders implement the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.