Posts by Alana Basloe
CMMC Requirements Have Changed: What Manufacturers Need to Know
By: Paul LaPorte, Cybersecurity Coordinator How CMMC Requirements Have Changed As July 13th, 2026, the US Department of War has lifted all requirements for small and medium manufacturers to receive a third-party certification audit. This means that small and medium manufacturers will need to self-report their compliance with the CMMC level required by contracts. Many…
Read MoreTake the “Cyber” Out of “Cybersecurity”
By: Paul LaPorte, Cybersecurity Coordinator One of the misconceptions about Cybersecurity is that it exists purely in the digital space. The reality is that attacks can come at you just as easily in the physical world. If a bad actor wants your information, they may not need to access it virtually. If they can…
Read MoreMohawk Valley-based Casestry Drives Innovation and Growth through NY MEP Partnership
Fast-growing local manufacturer has expanded workforce and customer base after tapping the region’s manufacturing experts to help scale operations and strengthen its supply chain Founded in 2017 in Herkimer, New York, Casestry has grown from a small basement operation into a print-on-demand (POD) supplier of personalized products nationwide like custom phone cases, headphone cases, ring…
Read More2025 Manufacturing Day
Manufacturing Day has expanded into a month-long celebration of innovation and opportunity. This year, AIM partnered with Fuzehub to host a series of events and activities that put the spotlight on modern manufacturing careers and the impact of today’s makers. Central Valley Academy High School students toured Casestry’s state-of-the-art print-on-demand facility, where they learned how…
Read MoreBeyond Cybersecurity Month: Everyday Tips to Stay Safe and Secure
By: Paul LaPorte, Cybersecurity Coordinator Cybersecurity deserves our attention all year long, and a dedicated month helps raise awareness of how we can stay safer and more informed. But the added spotlight can help us take stock of our overall awareness and find new, better ways to stay safe online. As we head into the…
Read More5 Myths About Automation That Hold Small Manufacturers Back
By AIM & MVCC When most people think of automation, they picture massive factories with robots on every line. But here in the Mohawk Valley, small and mid-sized manufacturers are proving that automation isn’t just for Fortune 500 companies. With smart, affordable tools, local shops are using automation to boost efficiency, address workforce shortages, and…
Read MoreCyber Security: Common Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Impacts
By: Paul LaPorte, Cybersecurity Coordinator There are many ways that the data you are trying to protect can be compromised. Today’s attackers are experts at exploiting weaknesses of any type, attacks can originate in the digital space, the physical world, or through social interactions. Here are some examples of these vulnerabilities and descriptions of how…
Read MoreFive Cybersecurity Statistics That All Manufacturers Should Know About
By: Paul LaPorte, Cybersecurity Coordinator Cybersecurity threats can be a huge business risk for all companies. Small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMMs) are often seen as an easy entry point into larger businesses and government agencies. SMMs are especially vulnerable to a cybersecurity event, they often are less prepared for an event, have valuable information that…
Read More