It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Landmark Center gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in St Paul, MN is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care comes in to help my dad a shower at night. When the guy came out to interview, he was really good and helpful, but it was just hard to find someone to help with dad been a little bit bigger and heavier. They like the person that they had come out a couple of times. The caregiver is good.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Harriet Island Regional Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Meritage or visit Burbank Livingston Griggs Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in St Paul, MN, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in St Paul, MN understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in St Paul, MN 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The unit has deployed to other situations elsewhere, but never inside Minnesota.ST PAUL, Minn. — In Minnesota's capital city, the fight against a so-far invisible enemy is underway. City officials in St. Paul are working to get some city systems back online after a cyber attack.Local, state and federal agenc...
The unit has deployed to other situations elsewhere, but never inside Minnesota.
ST PAUL, Minn. — In Minnesota's capital city, the fight against a so-far invisible enemy is underway. City officials in St. Paul are working to get some city systems back online after a cyber attack.
Local, state and federal agencies are working to identify the cause of this, and that includes the Minnesota National Guard.
"It's definitely an emergency," Army National Guard Lieutenant Colonel Brian Morgan, Director of Cyber Coordination, said.
Morgan says this is the first time their cyber forces have deployed to a situation happening inside Minnesota.
"The National Guard has provided support federally to active duty forces, US Cyber Command, back in 2020, 2021," Morgan said. "So the team has been active outside of the state, doing federal missions before."
As for what the team is doing right now, Morgan says he can't share, as the investigation into the cause and damage continues.
"The National Guard's role is largely focused around helping the city of St. Paul recover," he said.
Governor Tim Walz shared Wednesday that 13 members of the guard have been deployed for this. Morgan says there are dozens of people on the full team, ready to respond to these challenges.
"We know the kind of negative experiences that St. Paul has been dealing with, and we've selected the people, you know, to respond to that who have those skills," he said.
Eric Ebner is the Chief Technology Officer for 360 Security Services. He's also a former guardsman, and said he helped push for the creation of the cyber defense unit.
"I knew they had a long road ahead of them," Ebner said, of the challenges facing St. Paul after this attack.
"The textbook example of why we need this asset," he added. "Well trained, mission ready, able to jump in."
Morgan says many on the team have experience with cybersecurity in the private sector. Ebner said that experience is critical in moments like this.
"They can start looking for that pathway to restoring priority things, secondary things, tertiary things," he said.
It's unclear exactly how long things could take before everything is fixed and fully back online. Morgan said it's difficult to know.
Ebner said using other cities that have been attacked in a similar fashion as a frame of reference, it could possibly be weeks or months.
"You hear a lot that organizations are completely shut down for a week or two, or sometimes even longer," Ebner said. "And, yes, it is speculation as to the timeline, but that's kind of the reality, looking at the field out there and seeing what others have experienced."
Regardless, Morgan says they're prepared and ready to assist in any way they can.
"Everyone is working towards the same goal of restoring services to the people of St. Paul as soon as possible and as securely as possible," Morgan said.
On Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz announced he had deployed experts from the Minnesota National Guard to respond to a cyberattack on St. Paul’s digital infrastructure.While these types of attacks occur frequently across the country and the state, it’s the first time the National Guard’s cybersecurity unit has been called upon to help restore critical services.RELATED: Min...
On Tuesday, Gov. Tim Walz announced he had deployed experts from the Minnesota National Guard to respond to a cyberattack on St. Paul’s digital infrastructure.
While these types of attacks occur frequently across the country and the state, it’s the first time the National Guard’s cybersecurity unit has been called upon to help restore critical services.
RELATED: Minnesota National Guard activated, state of emergency declared after cyberattack against St. Paul
Walz’s office said the magnitude and complexity of the cybersecurity incident exceeded the city’s response capacity.
“We knew this day would come. So now that it’s here, we’re actually able to finally put into action plans that we’ve developed and rehearsed. It’s good to see it finally get executed,” said Lt. Col Brian Morgan of the Minnesota National Guard.
Guard members are working to recover data from critical systems that are impacted and offline by getting rid of the bad actor that may be in the network.
They’re also closing holes in the system that may have allowed the hacker to get in.
The last step is to restore services when they’re sure the system is secure.
“I think these events are going to continue to happen as a state and as a country rely more on cyber technology and infrastructure of a digital nature. These attacks are going to happen more and more frequently because they’re very lucrative for the bad actors,” Morgan said.
The Minnesota National Guard said it’s hard to predict how long it will take to get everything back online.
Local, state and federal agencies are still investigating the cyberattack. The scope of what was stolen is still unclear.
St. Paul has declared a state of emergency over what appears to be a massive cyberattack. The city is working with the Minnesota National Guard, the FBI and two private cybersecurity firms to respond to the cyberattack, which is disrupting city services including payment systems, libraries, recreation centers and city hall.For more on how cyberattacks like this one occur and the issues they can cause, Minnesota Now guest host Chris Farrell talks with Faisel Kaleem, director of cybersecurity and cyber operations programs at Metro State...
St. Paul has declared a state of emergency over what appears to be a massive cyberattack. The city is working with the Minnesota National Guard, the FBI and two private cybersecurity firms to respond to the cyberattack, which is disrupting city services including payment systems, libraries, recreation centers and city hall.
For more on how cyberattacks like this one occur and the issues they can cause, Minnesota Now guest host Chris Farrell talks with Faisel Kaleem, director of cybersecurity and cyber operations programs at Metro State University.
Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.
Subscribe to the Minnesota Now podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
We attempt to make transcripts for Minnesota Now available the next business day after a broadcast. When ready they will appear here.
[MUSIC PLAYING] CHRIS FARRELL: Well, as Kelly Bleyer just mentioned, our top story is the city of St. Paul is working to stop what appears to be a massive cyber attack. The city declared a state of emergency and is working with Minnesota National Guard, the FBI, and two private cybersecurity firms.
And the cyber attack is disrupting several city services, including payment systems, libraries, recreation centers, and city hall. So to go in depth into this story and to explain more about what cyber attacks like these look like and the issues they can cause is Professor Faisal Kaleem. He's Director of Cybersecurity and Cyber Operations Programs at Metro State University. So thanks for joining us, Professor.
FAISAL KALEEM: Good afternoon, Chris. Hope you are doing well.
CHRIS FARRELL: And I hope you're doing well too, and thank you. So some listeners just might be wondering-- and I would include myself among this-- what does a cyber attack against a city look like?
FAISAL KALEEM: So first of all, I mean, as we know, this is a very coordinated, deliberate cyber attack by a very, very sophisticated external actor. This was not a technical failure. So when it comes to attack against a city, it's a big deal.
And again, it's serious enough to require state and federal intervention. Not every attack triggers the National Guard and FBI, so that kind of tells you about the sophistication and severity of the attack.
CHRIS FARRELL: So it is a sophisticated attack, as you mentioned. Do we have any idea, or do you-- or do you know who the cyber attackers might be?
FAISAL KALEEM: No, I don't think so, because I think they are still keeping-- I don't know if they already found the information, but I'm pretty sure that they are going through some forensics, and I'm pretty sure that they will discover who the adversary is once the forensic is done.
CHRIS FARRELL: OK. So how easy is it to breach a city's information technology system?
FAISAL KALEEM: So I mean, given the resources, and especially when it comes to city of St. Paul-- and I know they are very, very well equipped and I know they have resources-- it should not be easy. But again, as we always say, this thing that the attackers have to just find one weak point to exploit the systems or to enter into the system as compared to the defenders who actually have to make sure that all vulnerabilities are covered. So I would say it was not an easy thing, but for whatever reason, they were able to successfully attack the city.
CHRIS FARRELL: So do we have any idea or information what the people behind the cyber attack, what they might want from the city?
FAISAL KALEEM: So I'm not sure if it's a ransomware attack. I hope it's not. But again, if it's going to be a ransomware attack, then definitely they would like to ask for some ransom.
But the good news is that when city detected all these activities on Friday, they took all the necessary measures, shut down the systems, and make sure that nothing bad happens. But I mean, again, we don't know right now if it's a ransomware attack or what kind of attack was it. We will get that information once the forensic is done.
CHRIS FARRELL: And so give us a sense-- I mean, with your background and your knowledge, what kind of information do you imagine or do you think is at risk in a situation like this?
FAISAL KALEEM: So absolutely. So obviously, they would definitely want to go after resident information, city employee information, their credentials. Because if the credentials are stolen, then that's going to cause severe problems, because those credentials could be reused to get into other systems, and so on.
And also, again, they are saying that the residential data was not involved. But again, if the resident data was involved, it might be some health information, some health records as well, and so on.
CHRIS FARRELL: So I want to get back into the details of this one, but I also want to ask you, I've gotten recently-- I don't know-- over the past 12 months, probably three data breaches. Your information has been compromised. One was a health company. I can't remember what the other two were.
Now we've got the city of St. Paul doing this. I mean, is our information safe? I mean, it seems like I'm getting these data breaches, and then they say, well, we'll put you on some sort of list where your information will be monitored.
FAISAL KALEEM: You know, I hate to say this thing, but you know, as we all know that there are several breaches. And most likely, all of us may be part of those breach. So that means that our information is already exposed somewhere, somehow.
So the only thing we could do at this time is to take some preventive measures and protective measures, like for example, we just need to make sure that we put a freeze on our credit reports. That's the number 1 thing that everybody should do. Put a freeze on their credit report so that nobody can use your credit report in a wrong way.
At the same time, make sure that you frequently check your credit reports as well. Make sure that there is nothing going on over there. And then changing the passwords and then utilizing those multi-factor authentication. A lot of us still don't use those multi-factor authentication, you know? They are still using the same password mechanism. So I would highly suggest that they should start using the multi-factor authentication.
CHRIS FARRELL: And the multi-factor, that's when you get a code on your cell phone, right?
FAISAL KALEEM: That is correct. It could be-- it could be various-- variety of multi-factor authentication. But one of the ways is to get a code on your cell phone, absolutely.
CHRIS FARRELL: So one of the things that surprised me was that the National Guard got involved. And I understand it, am I right, that Minnesota's one of just three states that has a full cyber protection team with the National Guard?
FAISAL KALEEM: Absolutely. Minnesota is one of those lucky states that actually have a full potential CPT, which stands for the Cyber Protection Team. And they are-- actually, one of our students also work in that CPT as well, one of the Metro State students is part of the CPT, which I'm very, very proud of.
They get activated whenever this kind of breach happens. And again, as I said, the severity of the attack can be demonstrated by this event. They have to activate the FBI, as well as the National Guard CPT.
CHRIS FARRELL: Yes. And does the National Guard have tools that, say, the city of St. Paul might not have in dealing with this kind of situation?
FAISAL KALEEM: That is correct. So National Guard CPT is very well equipped. They have all the necessary tools and resources that they can utilize to make sure that this attack is stopped, or basically nothing bad happened going forward.
CHRIS FARRELL: OK. So now as I understand it, the city initiated a full shutdown of their information systems. I think I know what that means, but what does that mean? And then how long does it take to get those systems back up and running?
FAISAL KALEEM: So obviously, the city had to disable all the system to contain the threat, because they just want to make sure that the attack does not go into those-- what we call a potential lateral movement or escalated risk. But that means from the resident perspective, we are talking about disabling services, disruption beyond city systems. Residents cannot access services. Small businesses rely on city systems are delayed.
And the most important thing is that when these kinds of attacks happen, the trust in the digital services is also shaken. And that's what we are trying to do. We are trying to bring back that trust that, hey, everything is good, you know? Nothing bad happened. And I'm pretty sure city of St. Paul is doing a great job bringing that trust back.
CHRIS FARRELL: So very quickly with the time we have left, tell us a little bit about your institute here with cybersecurity.
FAISAL KALEEM: Yeah. So I mean, again, this is exactly what we are trying to do at Metro State. We are the only school in Minnesota with the top cybersecurity program, with multiple national recognition, NSA Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense and Cyber Operations, Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence.
We have been also running something called a cybersecurity clinic. And that is basically one of the best things that happened to Metro State, where we train the student. And then these trained students go out and provide free risk assessment services to underserved clients like small cities, K-12 schools, municipalities, nonprofits, and so on.
And soon we are also going to be starting security operations center. And I definitely would urge the small cities, small businesses, nonprofits, K-12 schools to basically let us or let our students monitor their network. So if you think about the impact, what a beautiful way when we are providing low-cost or no-cost services to these underserved clients at the same time training our next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
CHRIS FARRELL: Well, that sounds like good news for you. But unfortunately, I think there's going to be a lot of business, which is bad news for us. So thank you very much for your time. I really appreciate it.
FAISAL KALEEM: Thank you very much, Chris, for having me on the show. Thank you.
CHRIS FARRELL: That was Faisal Kaleem, the Director of Cybersecurity and Cyber Operations Programs at Metro State University.
Hacking attacks—many using ransomware—now hit US cities every few days. They are expensive to mitigate and extremely disruptive. Abilene, Texas, for instance, had 477 GB of data stolen this spring. The city refused to pay the requested ransom and instead decided to replace every server, desktop, laptop, desk telephone, and storage device. This has required a "temporary return to pen-and-paper systems" while the entire city ...
Hacking attacks—many using ransomware—now hit US cities every few days. They are expensive to mitigate and extremely disruptive. Abilene, Texas, for instance, had 477 GB of data stolen this spring. The city refused to pay the requested ransom and instead decided to replace every server, desktop, laptop, desk telephone, and storage device. This has required a "temporary return to pen-and-paper systems" while the entire city network is rebuilt, but at least Abilene was insured against such an attack.
Sometimes, though, the hacks hit harder than usual. That was the case in St. Paul, Minnesota, which suffered a significant cyberattack last Friday that it has been unable to mitigate. Things have gotten so bad that the city has declared a state of emergency, while the governor activated the National Guard to assist.
According to remarks by St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter, the attack was first noticed early in the morning of Friday, July 25. It was, Carter said, "a deliberate, coordinated digital attack, carried out by a sophisticated external actor—intentionally and criminally targeting our city’s information infrastructure."
The city had trouble stopping the attack over the weekend, however, so on Monday, it "initiated a full shutdown of our information systems as a defensive measure to contain the threat." All Wi-Fi in city buildings is currently down, and numerous computerized city functions—including checking out library books—have been stopped. (According to a resident who spoke to local TV channel KSTP 5, books can still be checked out "the old school manual way, writing down the bar code number from your library card.") Online payments to the city have been disabled, though emergency services remain operational.
The FBI and two national cybersecurity firms have been brought on to mitigate the attack, but it hasn't been enough. Yesterday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz activated state units of the National Guard to assist the city.
"Unfortunately, the scale and complexity of this incident exceeded both internal and commercial response capabilities," Walz said. "As a result, St. Paul has requested cyber protection support from the Minnesota National Guard to help address this incident and make sure that vital municipal services continue without interruption."
According to the mayor, there have not yet been any demands for a ransom.
As of yesterday, Susan Monarez is in and Vinay Prasad is out among top federal health officials.
In a 51–47 vote along party lines, the Senate confirmed Monarez as the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. She is the first nominee for CDC director to be required to get Senate confirmation, following a 2022 law requiring it. She is also the first person to serve in the role without a medical degree since 1953.
Monarez has a PhD in microbiology and immunology and previously served as the deputy director for the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H) under the Biden administration. Monarez quietly helmed the CDC as acting director from January to March of this year but stepped down as required when Donald Trump nominated her for the permanent role. Before that, Trump had nominated Dave Weldon, but the nomination was abandoned over concerns that his anti-vaccine views would torpedo his Senate confirmation.
In contrast, Monarez aligns with the evidence-based public health community and has support from health experts. Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health, told NPR that she has known Monarez professionally for more than a decade. "She's a loyal, hardworking civil servant who leads with evidence and pragmatism and has been dedicated to improving the health of Americans for the entirety of her career," Nuzzo said of Monarez.
Similarly, Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association, told the outlet that Monarez "values science, is a solid researcher, and has a history of being a good manager. We're looking forward to working with her."
It remains to be seen how Monarez will balance evidence-based public health guidance with the ideologically driven choices of health secretary and fervent anti-vaccine advocate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
Tuesday’s announcement comes after years of financial struggle for the nonprofit, which is one of the country’s largest state historical organizations.Organization leaders announced the layoffs Tuesday, explaining that rising costs, changing client patterns and too little revenue led to the decision.The 36 layoffs represent about 7% of the organization’s workforce, bringing staff totals to 512. Affected employees were given separation packages and notice of the layoffs this week. Programming for some of the so...
Tuesday’s announcement comes after years of financial struggle for the nonprofit, which is one of the country’s largest state historical organizations.
Organization leaders announced the layoffs Tuesday, explaining that rising costs, changing client patterns and too little revenue led to the decision.
The 36 layoffs represent about 7% of the organization’s workforce, bringing staff totals to 512. Affected employees were given separation packages and notice of the layoffs this week. Programming for some of the society’s 26 locations will also change to reduce costs.
MNHS CEO and Director Kent Whitworth said the decisions were difficult but “necessary for the long-term sustainability of the organization.” Without layoffs and programming changes, Allison Ortiz, head of communications for MNHS, said the organization would face a deficit of at least $3.5 million this fiscal year.
“This is a painful time as we say goodbye to valued colleagues who contributed to our mission at the Minnesota Historical Society,” Whitworth said in a statement. “Due to the challenging economic environment and changing visitor priorities, we must implement these organizational changes to continue our legacy of service to the people of Minnesota.”
Changes to programming include a shift to free, self-guided experiences and “occasional” special programming for the Charles Lindbergh House and Museum in Little Falls, Historic Forestville in Preston and the Snake River Fur Post in Pine City. And the Gale Family Library in St. Paul will change to scheduled appointments so that visitors can maximize their time.
The announcement marks another year of financial turmoil for MNHS, which is renowned as one of the country’s largest state historical organizations. Concerns surged as the COVID-19 pandemic forced the organization to temporarily close more than two dozen sites and furlough 216 employees.
Workers unionized in 2021, and MNHS staffers aimed to rebuild by launching a study to analyze compensation and look into hiring back dozens of workers. Months of negotiation led to 8% pay raises for union employees in 2023, but a $782,000 deficit the following year led the nonprofit to lay off 10 people.
“As an institution that relies on taxpayer dollars, the Minnesota Historical Society has an obligation to preserve and make accessible our state’s history for all Minnesotans,” MNHS Workers Union AFSCME Local 3173 said in a statement.
“The public puts its trust in MNHS and it is incumbent upon its Leadership Team and Executive Council to steward our state’s resources responsibly. This includes prioritizing the workers who serve the public directly by making history accessible to all Minnesotans.”
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