Forge Institute Awarded U.S. Department of Energy Funding to Launch the Secure Energy Defenders Program, a $2M program to Strengthen Cybersecurity for Arkansas Rural and Municipal Electric Utilities
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Forge Institute Awarded U.S. Department of Energy Funding to Launch the Secure Energy Defenders Program, a $2M program to Strengthen Cybersecurity for Arkansas Rural and Municipal Electric Utilities

Foreign adversaries are increasingly targeting the power grids, water systems, and local infrastructure communities rely on every day — not through traditional military means, but through cyberattacks aimed at systems that are often under-resourced and locally run. These threats are accelerating: artificial intelligence is lowering the barrier to entry for attackers, automating reconnaissance, and enabling more convincing social engineering at a scale and speed utilities have never had to defend against before. Rural and municipal electric utilities, which power much of Arkansas, are exactly this kind of target: critical to daily life, and rarely equipped with the same cybersecurity resources as major metropolitan utilities.

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2026 Forge Summit Unveils High-Profile Speaker Roster; Final Call for Registrations and Sponsorships
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2026 Forge Summit Unveils High-Profile Speaker Roster; Final Call for Registrations and Sponsorships

The Forge Institute has announced an expanded lineup of prominent federal, defense, and industry leaders scheduled to speak at the 2026 Forge Summit. With registration now open, the summit serves as the premier gathering for intelligence, cybersecurity, and technology leaders in America’s heartland working to secure national defense, critical infrastructure, and regional economic resilience.

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Open Position: Utility Engagement Lead
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Open Position: Utility Engagement Lead

The Utility Engagement Lead is the linchpin of Forge’s utility-facing work. Effective engagement with utility partners is what determines whether federal cybersecurity and risk programs deliver real value or fall flat. Forge has secured major awards and has multiple opportunities in the pipeline with federal partners that will continue and expand this kind of work. This is a permanent, ongoing role positioned at the center of that trajectory.

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Gregory Crabb, former CISO of USPS & Beth-Anne Bygum, CISO of Q2, one of America’s leading FinTechs, to discuss Cyber Survivability
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Gregory Crabb, former CISO of USPS & Beth-Anne Bygum, CISO of Q2, one of America’s leading FinTechs, to discuss Cyber Survivability

Summit to convene local and national stakeholders in Little Rock, Arkansas, September 17-19th for national event.  Forge Institute today announced the initial speaker and sponsor lineup for the 7th Annual Forge Summit. Taking place September 17-19 in Little Rock, the summit will convene top experts from the front lines of corporate and national security to provide actionable strategies for defending America's critical industries and opportunities to securely leverage emergent technologies to advance critical technology capabilities for national security. 

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Summer Travel Security: Your Digital Safety Checklist
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Summer Travel Security: Your Digital Safety Checklist

As June rolls in, so does the excitement of summer travel. Whether you're planning a cross-country road trip, an international adventure, or a local staycation, ensuring your digital security is just as important as packing your sunscreen. The increased use of public Wi-Fi, online booking, and social media sharing during travel creates ripe opportunities for cybercriminals. Here’s how to protect your digital life while you enjoy your summer.

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Travel Planning for Summer: Staying Safe Online
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Travel Planning for Summer: Staying Safe Online

Summer is just around the corner, and for many, that means planning exciting vacations. However, the thrill of booking that perfect getaway can sometimes overshadow online safety. Cybercriminals often target travelers, knowing they are actively making online transactions and might be less vigilant. To ensure your summer travel plans don't turn into a cybersecurity nightmare, it's crucial to be aware of potential risks and take proactive steps to protect yourself.

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Forge Institute Spotlights Arkansas's Future Aerospace & Defense Leaders at Phoenix Xcelerator Demo Day on May 29
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Forge Institute Spotlights Arkansas's Future Aerospace & Defense Leaders at Phoenix Xcelerator Demo Day on May 29

Forge Institute invites the community to experience the next wave of aerospace and defense innovation at the highly anticipated Phoenix Xcelerator Demo Day. This premier event, taking place on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 5:00 PM at the Clinton Presidential Center, marks the culmination of an intensive 12-week accelerator program featuring a cohort of promising startups from Arkansas and across the country, poised to impact national security and boost Arkansas’s economy.

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Spring Sales Scams: How to Shop Smart and Stay Safe
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Spring Sales Scams: How to Shop Smart and Stay Safe

Spring is a time of renewal, and for many, that means taking advantage of seasonal sales and deals. However, this time of year also brings a surge in scam activity. Scammers are eager to exploit the excitement of spring sales, luring unsuspecting shoppers with fake deals and fraudulent websites. To ensure your spring shopping is safe and enjoyable, it’s essential to be aware of common scams and take precautions.

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Tax Season Scams: Staying Safe Year-Round
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Tax Season Scams: Staying Safe Year-Round

Tax season can be a daunting time for many, filled with the fear of audits and the stress of navigating complex tax laws. Unfortunately, scammers capitalize on these anxieties, making tax season a prime time for fraud. While many associate tax scams with the April 15th deadline, it’s crucial to understand that these schemes persist throughout the year. Scammers work tirelessly to exploit your fears and steal your hard-earned money.

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Phoenix Xcelerator Announces 2025 Cohort, Innovative Defense Solutions
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Phoenix Xcelerator Announces 2025 Cohort, Innovative Defense Solutions

The Forge Institute is proud to announce the startups selected for the highly competitive Phoenix Xcelerator program. After an extensive review of applicants from across the nation, these early-stage innovators have been chosen for their cutting-edge solutions and potential to disrupt their categories. 

The Phoenix Xcelerator is a no-cost, no-equity accelerator designed to fast-track promising startups tackling aerospace and defense challenges.

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USPS Smishing Scams:                                       Exploiting Trust with Fake PDFs
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USPS Smishing Scams: Exploiting Trust with Fake PDFs

Smishing attacks are on the rise, and cybercriminals are now using USPS impersonation scams to trick unsuspecting victims. These scams rely on fraudulent text messages containing seemingly legitimate PDF attachments, designed to steal sensitive information from users who trust official-looking documents.

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Forge Institute, in partnership with Department of Air Force APEX PIA, ignites Atomic Anvil to strengthen the Region’s Defense Innovation Ecosystem & Bring Innovation to the Warfighter
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Forge Institute, in partnership with Department of Air Force APEX PIA, ignites Atomic Anvil to strengthen the Region’s Defense Innovation Ecosystem & Bring Innovation to the Warfighter

Forge Institute today announced the launch of Atomic Anvil, a groundbreaking program designed to bolster national security by connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and non-traditional entities to mission partners within the Department of Defense. This initiative, in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and the Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX) Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with Parallax Advanced Research (Parallax), will accelerate technology transfer and transition to address critical national security needs.

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Forge Institute Announces Walter Burgess as Entrepreneur-in-Residence for Phoenix Xcelerator Program
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Forge Institute Announces Walter Burgess as Entrepreneur-in-Residence for Phoenix Xcelerator Program

The Forge Institute proudly announces Walter Burgess as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence for the Phoenix Xcelerator Program. With over 28 years of leadership in technology and innovation, Walter brings unparalleled insight to this flagship initiative, which empowers early-stage entrepreneurs and strengthens the national defense ecosystem.

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Forge Institute and Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to collaborate on the advancement of analytic methods for publicly available information to support operations in the Information Environment
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Forge Institute and Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to collaborate on the advancement of analytic methods for publicly available information to support operations in the Information Environment

Forge Institute, recognized for pioneering private-public partnerships in the national defense arena, is proud to announce a multi-year Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Information Directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

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Forge Institute & Arkansas Aerospace and Defense Alliance Partner to Boost Veteran Talent and Cybersecurity for Arkansas’ Defense Industry
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Forge Institute & Arkansas Aerospace and Defense Alliance Partner to Boost Veteran Talent and Cybersecurity for Arkansas’ Defense Industry

Today, the Forge Institute announced a strategic partnership with the Arkansas Aerospace & Defense Alliance (AADA). This partnership will boost access to veteran talent, enhance the cybersecurity capabilities of the aerospace & defense industry in Arkansas, and drive innovation collaborations to support national defense.

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