BATAVIA, Ill., December 18, 2024 — High Wire Networks, Inc. (OTCQB: HWNI), an award-winning global provider of managed cybersecurity, has been engaged to provide its innovative Overwatch managed security services for the Illinois College of Optometry (ICO), one of the world’s leading optometric institutions with more than 85,000 patient visits to its eye institute every year and an alumni network of over 8,000 graduates practicing across the globe.
This major win signifies High Wire’s continued expansion into the higher education market. It was secured through one of its premier global channel partners, Mindsight, a Chicago-based managed services provider (MSP). The collaboration with Mindsight will help ensure ICO’s cybersecurity posture is fortified against the increasing threats targeting the education sector.
High Wire Overwatch will deploy its Overwatch SOAR™, which combines critically needed tools, automated workflows, and AI/ML functions into an advanced threat detection and response system.
The unique AI embedded in Overwatch SOAR automatically consolidates alerts from various threat prevention and detection-and-response platforms. It processes these alerts at lightning speeds with intelligence-based rules that generate enhanced visibility, improved correlation and faster remediation.
“Cyberattacks on educational institutions continue to increase in scale and sophistication, making it essential for these organizations to adopt solutions that overmatch these threats,” noted High Wire Networks’ Overwatch CEO, Ed Vasko. “ICO’s adoption of Overwatch SOAR demonstrates their commitment to safeguarding sensitive student records through the most effective means available on the market today.”
The integration of Overwatch SOAR into ICO’s existing IT infrastructure highlights Mindsight’s ability to deliver tailored, cutting-edge solutions to its clients. The collaboration also demonstrates the value of MSPs in bridging the gap between innovative cyber technology providers like High Wire Networks and end users like ICO.
“Our partnership with High Wire allows us to provide ICO with unparalleled cybersecurity capabilities,” stated Mindsight CIO and COO, Tad Gralewski. “Overwatch SOAR equips institutions like ICO with the tools and expertise they need to combat emerging threats, and gives administrators peace of mind that their networks and sensitive data are secure. This partnership is a testament to our shared commitment to protecting the education sector.”
Educational institutions, from kindergarten to college, are increasingly vulnerable to cyberattacks, with student records becoming lucrative targets for identity theft and fraud. Increased federal funding has been flowing into the K-12 space to help address these growing cybersecurity challenges. ICO’s decision to enhance its security posture with Overwatch sets an example for other post-secondary institutions.
“Ensuring the safety of our students’ data and our institution’s systems is paramount,” said ICO’s senior director of IT and CIO, Amit Choksi. “The combination of Mindsight’s expertise and High Wire’s Overwatch SOAR gives us confidence that our cybersecurity posture is sound and resilient, enabling us to focus on our primary mission of education while knowing we are well protected.”
High Wire and Mindsight are committed to expanding their impact across the education sector. Supported by hundreds of millions in federal funding earmarked for educational cybersecurity, the demand for robust, scalable solutions like Overwatch SOAR continues to grow.
Higher education institutions were inundated by cyberattacks last year, according to a report from Malwarebytes, which called it “the worst ransomware year on record” for the education sector. The rise in cyberattacks have intensified the focus on security by higher education institutions, which now ranks cyber threats at the top of the annual EDUCAUSE Top 10 list of issues facing colleges and universities.
The ICO win follows nine others which High Wire has secured through Mindsight. It also brings the total number of education clients that rely upon High Wire Overwatch and its partners to 21.
To learn more about High Wire and its innovative managed cybersecurity, visit HighWireNetworks.com or view the company’s free video series on YouTube. Its Cybersecurity Simplified series feature several videos that discuss K-12 cybersecurity.
About Mindsight
Mindsight provides enterprise managed services to the mid-market across a variety of industries including manufacturing, financial services, government, and education – just to name a few. The company’s solution architects and engineers are 100% expert-level and work as an extension of your IT team. For more information, visit gomindsight.com.
About Illinois College of Optometry
The Illinois College of Optometry is one of the leading optometry schools in the United States, dedicated to advancing education and research in eye care. For more information, visit ico.edu/about-ico.
About High Wire Networks
High Wire Networks, Inc. (OTCQB: HWNI) is a fast-growing, award-winning global provider of managed cybersecurity. Through over 200 channel partners, it delivers trusted managed services for more than 1,100 managed security customers worldwide. End-customers include Fortune 500 companies and many of the nation’s largest government agencies. Its U.S. based 24/7 Network Operations Center and Security Operations Center is located in Chicago, Illinois.
High Wire was ranked by Frost & Sullivan as a Top 15 Managed Security Service Provider in the Americas for 2024. It was also named to CRN’s MSP 500 and Elite 150 lists of the nation’s top IT managed service providers for 2023 and 2024.
Learn more at HighWireNetworks.com. Follow the company on X, view its extensive video series on YouTube or connect on LinkedIn.
Forward-Looking Statements
The above news release contains forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this document that are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to, statements identified by the use of terms such as “anticipate,” “appear,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “hope,” “indicate,” “intend,” “likely,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” “will,” “would,” and other variations or negative expressions of these terms, including statements related to expected market trends and the Company’s performance, are all “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on assumptions that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, and include statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company and its management. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performances and are subject to a wide range of external factors, uncertainties, business risks, and other risks identified in filings made by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the company’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances upon which any statement is based except as required by applicable law and regulations.
High Wire Contact
Mark Porter
Chief Executive Officer
High Wire Networks
Tel +1 (952) 974-4000
Email contact
Investor & Media Relations:
Ronald Both or Grant Stude
CMA Investor & Media Relations
Tel +1 (949) 432-7557
Email contact
