The Biden administration has released a National Cybersecurity Strategy to address the increase in cyberattacks targeting K-12 schools.
To improve online safety and build a stronger cybersecurity workforce, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency funded Cyber.org, a cybersecurity workforce development organization, to provide K-12 schools with cybersecurity curricula.
Laurie Salvail, the executive director of Cyber.org, emphasized the importance of teaching cybersecurity skills to K-12 students, even as young as kindergarten, to help prepare them to use technology safely and become active citizens in the future.
Cyber.org has also developed the Cyber.org Range, a virtual environment where students can practice cybersecurity skills safely.
Torchia, Rebecca. 2023. “Q&A: Laurie Salvail Urges Schools to Adopt and Teach Cybersecurity Best Practices.” Technology Solutions That Drive Education. 2023.
What is the impact of limited broadband access on healthcare services in Western North Carolina?
How does the lack of reliable and high-speed internet in rural areas hinder the ability of healthcare providers to offer telehealth services to their patients?
What are the case studies where patients had to travel long distances to receive medical treatment due to inadequate internet connectivity?
Investment in broadband infrastructure are essential to improve access to healthcare in rural areas.
WNC Broadband supports policy initiatives to address these issues.
This National Library Week, April 23-29. Be sure to visit your local library for great books, eBooks, movies, and more.
Internet services are available in public libraries. including Buncombe Public Libraries.
In general, most public libraries offer the following internet services:
Public access computers: Many libraries provide public access computers with internet access that patrons can use for free. These computers may have time limits or usage restrictions in place to ensure equal access for all library users.
Wi-Fi: Most public libraries offer free Wi-Fi access for patrons who bring their own devices, such as laptops, tablets, or smartphones.
Printing, scanning, and copying: Many libraries offer printing, scanning, and copying services for a fee, which patrons can access using library computers or their own devices connected to the library’s Wi-Fi.
Online databases: Libraries often subscribe to online databases that patrons can access for free using library computers or their own devices connected to the library’s Wi-Fi. These databases may include academic journals, newspapers, magazines, and other reference materials.
E-books and e-audiobooks: Some libraries offer e-books and e-audiobooks that patrons can borrow and download to their devices for free using the library’s online catalog.
It is a good idea to check with your local library to see what specific internet services they offer.
Through-the-Trees in Brevard, NC is having a ‘device drive’ on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Transylvania Public Library.
Donate and recycle old electronics for a cause.
Devices are wiped, refurbished and distributed to those in need. For questions/money donations see their webpage: https://donorbox.org/throughthetrees
The need for accurate data pinpointing where broadband service is available, and where it is not available, has never been greater. The new National Broadband Map provides information about the internet services available to individual locations across the country, along with new maps of mobile coverage, as reported by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in the FCC’s ongoing Broadband Data Collection.
Consumers, state, local and Tribal government entities, and other stakeholders can help verify the accuracy of the data shown on the map by filing challenges. An accurate map will help identify the unserved and underserved communities most in need of funding for high-speed internet infrastructure investments.
Percentage of households with a broadband subscription
ACCESS BROADBAND Act of 2021
The Census Bureau and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) are working together to help states and local communities understand the economic impacts of broadband infrastructure expansion.
As a part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, the ACCESS BROADBAND Act of 2021 was established to increase access to high-speed internet by expanding broadband networks to communities in need. In addition, the legislation requires NTIA to release estimates of the economic impact of such broadband deployment efforts on local economies, including any effect on small businesses or jobs. To address this requirement, the Census Bureau and NTIA created the ACCESS BROADBAND Dashboard for policymakers and the public to assess how changes in broadband availability and adoption could influence local economies.
The interactive dashboard allows users to compare maps displaying broadband access statistics to maps of social and economic indicators. Indicators include statistics on employment, small business establishments, wages and income, poverty, home values, population change and migration, educational attainment, and Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These indicators correspond to a conceptual framework presented in the upcoming 2022 Federal Broadband Funding Report that links the expansion of broadband availability and adoption to potential changes in local and regional economies.
This is the first release of the ACCESS BROADBAND Dashboard, enabling users to assess baseline economic characteristics at the smallest geographic level possible. NTIA and the Census Bureau plan to update the dashboard annually so users can assess the economic context of areas where broadband availability and adoption efforts are underway. Each release will include the interactive dashboard and supplemental data files so users can access the underlying map data.
ACCESS BROADBAND Dashboard
The ACCESS BROADBAND Dashboard includes 21 thematic maps to explore. It allows users to analyze maps displaying broadband access statistics and select social and economic indicators. Indicators include statistics on the following.
A screenshot of some of the individual Asheville-area layers has also been provided below.
Broadband Access – Asheville Area
Percentage of Households with a Broadband Subscription
Percentage of population living where broadband fixed service of at least 25/3 Mbps are available
Employment – Asheville Area
Percentage of population employed
Labor force participation Rate
Unemployment Rate
Annual change in employment
Percentage of workers self-employed
Percentage of workers that work from home
Small Business Establishments – Asheville Area
Annual change in business establishments with less than 20 employees
Educational Attainment
Percentage of population with a bachelor’s degree or higher
Percentage of high school-aged population not enrolled, not a graduate
For the best viewing experience, use the checkbox in the Layer List below to turn one layer on at a time. Zoom out to see state data and zoom in to see county data. Some maps include census tract data as you continue to zoom in. If you have more than one or two layers on at a time, the dashboard’s response time may slow. The layer displayed on the map will be the topmost layer selected in the Layer List, and that map’s information will be listed first in the Legend.
