Security beyond the firewall

BY COREY STEELE

Most companies take it as a given that firewalls, antivirus and backups are minimum security controls for the standard business. While it remains true that having a layer-7 aware firewall, solid endpoint protection and recoverable backups are controls every organization should have in place, there’s more to security than firewalls, endpoint protection and backups.

Central to any comprehensive security strategy is visibility of what is going on within the network. This comes in two forms — network monitoring

Systems that provide SNMP and Flow monitoring of the network give visibility into the packets traversing the network on a port-by-port and application basis. Such information can be useful in identifying rogue PCs on the network — such as those infected by a virus — or systems that are producing excessive volumes of traffic from one application type or another. At the end of the day, this visibility gives insight into what constitutes a “normal” day on your network.

SIEMs are another class of software altogether, designed to collect logs from various systems, to analyze those logs for anomalous events and alert on those events. These alerts typically come in the form of emails or texts. The analysis that comes with those alerts is highly sophisticated to identify anomalies across all systems — not just the network, but across domain controllers, workstations, network appliances, switches, routers, antivirus solutions, data loss prevention systems and any other variety of systems you send logs from to the SIEM. Such systems can be quite powerful and insightful.

So, while state-of-the-art firewalls, antivirus and backups provide protection against the myriad of threats that the average network may face, they are not sufficient to protect your network from the totality of threats that your network faces on a day-to-day basis. To protect against the full range of attacks, you need security that extends beyond the firewall. PB systems and log aggregation and alerting systems. Network monitoring systems come in the form of SNMP monitoring systems and Flow monitoring software. Log aggregation and alerting systems are most typically referred to as security information and event management systems, or SIEM.

Corey Steele Network Security Engineer, High Point Networks corey.steele@highpointnetworks.com

General Atomics signs lease with Grand Sky

Grand Sky, America’s first unmanned aerial systems business and aviation park in Grand Forks, N.D., announced it has signed a lease with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., a leading manufacturer of remotely piloted aircraft systems, radars and electro-opic and related mission systems solutions.

General Atomics intends to use its leased 5.5 acres for a hangar facility, which will support aircraft operations as part of an aircrew training academy to be established in Grand Forks. A groundbreaking for the facility is anticipated this fall, with construction completed as soon as early 2016.

North Dakota UAS Test Site announces contract with NASA

The North Dakota Department of Commerce, operating through the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, has been awarded a five-year contract to support NASA unmanned aircraft systems research.

Under the contract, the Department of Commerce received an initial award of $197,950 to support a NASA developed UAS traffic management project utilizing local partners, including the University of North Dakota, Sensurion Aerospace, Altavian and Botlink.

High Point Networks, Marco named to CRN Fast Growth 150

Marco Inc., of St. Cloud, Minn., and High Point Networks, of West Fargo, N.D., have both been named to The Channel Company’s 2015 CRN Fast Growth 150 list. Based on gross revenue over the twoyear period from 2012-14, the list ranks solution providers based in North America with significant economic growth.

Marco was also recently recognized by Great Place to Work and Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Best Workplaces for Women.

Alerus acquires Beacon Bank

Grand Forks-based Alerus has acquired Twin Cities-based Beacon Bank, a community-focused bank with three locations in the Twin Cities and two in Duluth, Minn. The merger will strengthen Alerus’ presence in the Twin Cities and represents its entrance into the Duluth market.

Beacon Bank’s three Twin Cities offices, located in Shorewood, Excelsior and Eden Prairie, Minn., and two Duluth offices will remain open and operate as usual, and will transition to the Alerus name in early 2016.

JLG Architects named among Top 50 Architects

JLG Architects, headquartered in Grand Forks, N.D., has been ranked No. 19 of the Top 50 U.S. Architecture Firms in Business by Architect Magazine. JLG is the only firm in North Dakota to have ever made the list.

Architect Magazine is the publication of the American Institute of Architects, the national professional association of architects. The Top 50 U.S. Architecture Firms is the magazine’s annual ranking.

Midcontinent announces first area for gigabit Internet

Midcontinent Communications has announced customers in Fargo and West Fargo, N.D., and Moorhead, Minn., will be the first to receive gigabit Internet from the service provider.

“We chose the Fargo metro area as the first area for Midco Gig because of the state-of-the-art technology we’ve been installing in the metro area during our Fargo build-out that started in 2014 and will continue through 2016,” says Pat McAdaragh, president and CEO of Midcontinent.

Midcontinent has committed to delivering gigabit Internet speeds to its entire footprint by the end of 2017. An exact gigabit launch date has yet to be determined.

Kilbourne Group purchases historic Black Building

Kilbourne Group and DTL Properties Inc. have reached an agreement for the sale of Fargo, N.D.’s historic Black Building, with the sale expected to be final in early 2016. The nine-story Black Building was constructed in 1930 at 118 Broadway N., in downtown Fargo.

“We are honored to assume stewardship of this significant Fargo landmark,” says Doug Burgum, founder and chairman. “We are excited about the future of this incredible structure, and we look forward to receiving input and inspiration from tenants and the community regarding the Black Building’s next chapter.”

The purchase also includes the three-story building immediately south of the Black Building, which currently houses Scan Design, as well as a parking lot at 217 Roberts St.

Beckman & Kunkin joins Eide Bailly

Beckman & Kunkin, a certified public accounting firm that has served the Scottsdale and Phoenix, Ariz., area for more than 25 years, has joined Eide Bailly, a regional certified public accounting and business advisory firm.

Beckman & Kunkin shareholders Howard Beckman and Adam Kunkin, along with their team, will join Eide Bailly and continue to operate from their Scottsdale location under the Eide Bailly name. This move will add a second Eide Bailly location in the Phoenix metro area.

Eide Bailly’s headquarters is in Fargo, N.D.

Advanced Elements expands ownership

Advanced Elements, the holding company of AE2S, AE2S Construction, AE2S Nexus, AE2S Operations and additional entities, has expanded ownership of the firm to include 12 additional shareholders. Ownership of Advanced Elements is offered to entity employees by invitation from existing shareholders.

The new owners of Advanced Elements in 2015 include Gary Cline, chief development officer of AE2S in Phoenix Ariz.; Mike Chorne, instrumentation & control systems technician for AE2S in Bismarck, N.D.; Sue Hass, marketing manager for AE2S in Grand Forks, N.D.; Megan Houser, human resources manager for AE2S in Grand Forks; Jon Lefers, project engineer for AE2S in Madison, Wis.; Matt Odegard, instrumentation & controls technician for AE2S in Grand Forks; Craig Pietruszewski, controller for AE2S in Grand Forks; Lucas Rengstorf, GIS coordinator for AE2S in Grand Forks; Dustin Schultz, operations manager for AE2S in Williston, N.D.; Nick Stattelman, survey practice leader for AE2S in Fargo, N.D.; Aaron Vollmer, operations manager for AE2S in Maple Grove, Minn.; and Jason Whitesock, instrumentation & controls technician for AE2S in Grand Forks.

Western, Basin, Heartland join Southwest Power Pool

estern Area Power Administration’s Upper Great Plains Region, Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Heartland Consumers Power District has transferred functional control of the integrated transmission system to Southwest Power Pool and started operating in the regional transmission organization.

The move increases generating capacity for all three power companies.

Braun Intertec acquires Apex Geoscience

Braun Intertec, a Minnesota-based geotechnical engineering, testing and environmental consulting firm, has acquired Apex Geoscience, a Texas-based geotechnical engineering, testing and environmental consulting company.

With the acquisition, Braun Intertec increases its presence in Texas and expands into Louisiana and Oklahoma.

SDSU adds graduate degree in industrial/ organizational psychology

South Dakota State University in Brookings will add a Master of Science degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology starting in fall 2016. Industrial/organizational psychology is a sub-discipline of psychology, which applies research to improve the well-being and performance of employees and their organizations. SDSU officials said demand for this degree comes from people currently employed in South Dakota as training and development specialists and management analysts.

Once fully operational, SDSU plans to graduate about nine students from this graduate degree program each year.

Gustad named controller of MSUM Alumni Foundation

Carol Gustad has been named controller of the Minnesota State University Moorhead Alumni Foundation, where she will direct all accounting and finance functions and maintain financial records and fiscal controls.

Gustad has more than 20 years experience in financial accounting and finance, and most recently was the chief financial officer of the NDSU Development Foundation.

KLJ Solutions welcomes Nagel

John Nagel has been hired by Bismarck, N.D.-based KLJ Solutions, the parent company of a diversified family of companies focused on progressive engineering, advanced oilfield operations and innovative property development. Nagel will serve as vice president of new company development to create and activate new businesses and technology-driven innovations. His primary focus will be on automation and network security.

Prior to joining KLJ Solutions, he served as vice president of client engagement and delivery at ObjectFrontier Software, a leading outsourcing software development company.

Arvig promotes Greene

Arvig has promoted Lisa Greene to senior manager of marketing for the Perham, Minn.-based telecommunications company. Greene will be responsible for Arvig’s marketing strategy and execution. She will continue to lead the company’s online marketing and branding and provide direction to the process of developing and managing the company’s new and existing product lines.

Greene has been part of the Arvig team since 2009, having most recently served as the company’s marketing manager.

The Sanford Project selects new leader

Sanford Health’s initiative to cure type 1 diabetes has chosen a world-renowned physician, researcher and inventor as its new leader. Dr. Eckhard U. Alt has been appointed to oversee The Sanford Project in Sioux Falls, S.D., as its Todd and Linda Broin Distinguished Professor and Chair.

In addition to leading The Sanford Project, Alt will retain his roles as professor of medicine at Technishe Universitat in Munich, Germany, and professor at Tulane University in New Orleans, La. He will also continue to serve as chairman of the board for InGeneron Inc., a company that develops cellbased technologies for health care and veterinary and life science research.

Prairie Business hires new editor

Prairie Business magazine has named Lisa Gibson its next editor. Gibson has been editor of Agweek, a weekly ag publication based out of the Grand Forks Herald’s office, since 2012. Gibson also has overseen other niche publications for the Herald, as well as working as a Herald reporter from 2006-09. From 2009-12, she was employed by BBI International as associate editor and then editor of Biomass Power & Thermal and Pellet Mill magazines.

“I’m thrilled to begin my adventure in a new industry, with new people and different opportunities,” says Gibson. “Prairie Business is a great publication. I’m excited to apply the tools I gained as editor of Agweek to this new challenge and work with the magazine’s existing and experienced staff.”

Gibson will start as editor with the December issue.

Altru names chief information officer

Altru Health System in Grand Forks, N.D., has named Mark Waind its chief information officer. Waind joined Altru’s information services team in 1997, serving as the customer support manager through 2006, when he was promoted to administrative director of information services.

Alerus names Cheever CFO

Alerus Financial Corporation has named Dan Cheever its chief financial officer and executive vice president. Cheever has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services industry, most recently serving as interim CFO for Alerus since March.

Prior to joining Alerus, Cheever served as CFO of Marquette Financial Companies, managing director of GMAC ResCap, chief operating officer of Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco, CEO and CFO of Access Financial and CEO, president and director of PriMerit Bank.

Border States Electric hires Busch

Mike Busch has joined Border States Electric in Fargo, N.D., as vice president of human resources. Busch will lead BSE’s human resources team to support growth and drive continuous improvement. He has also been appointed to the company’s Executive Council.

Busch gained his human resources experience with Whirlpool Corporation and Eaton Corporation. Most recently, Busch was with HR Value Partners, working with small to midsize businesses on recruiting and talent management challenges.

Moore Engineering hires CFO

Moore Engineering, of West Fargo, N.D., has hired Jeff Slaby as chief financial officer. Slaby will be responsible for managing the employee-owned company’s overall financial structure.

Slaby most recently worked for CoreLink Administrative Solutions in Fargo, a joint venture between Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Nebraska.