Technically Speaking

Ransomware tops today’s list of security concerns for governments, and no agency is immune. Just look at the statistics: • Cook County, Chicago was a victim of last year’s WannaCry ransomware attack. • St. Louis Public Library was hit with ransomware, demanding $35,000 in Bitcoin. • Bingham County, Idaho paid out #3,000 in ransomware to restore its servers.

If you currently use Autodesk’s flagship civil engineering design software, AutoCAD Civil 3D, you may have heard about its close cousin, InfraWorks. InfraWorks is an infrastructure design software that supports BIM processes and helps designers and engineers work in infrastructure projects in a real-world context using cloud capabilities.

Cybersecurity skills shortages are nothing new. But new research shows that they are creating recruiting chaos.

The use of building information modeling (BIM) data by building owners and facilities managers is on the rise, a survey by DLT partner, IMAGINiT Technologies reveals. Compared to 2016, the percentage of owners integrating BIM data into facilities management (FM) systems has increased by almost 9%. Yet challenges remain. Many organizations aren’t prepared or equipped to make the process and technology changes required for BIM adoption.

Ah, the good old days, when things were simple. When there were a known number of devices on any government network, and the federal IT pro had a complete understanding of how to secure those devices.  

Archeological surveys in untouched areas are tricky at the best of times. Vegetation and trees must be disturbed, heavy equipment is brought in, and the results can still prove inconclusive or fruitless. But thanks to laser technology, that’s all changing. LiDAR (aka Light Detection and Ranging technology) is helping archeologists champion scientific research without disturbing the natural habitat.