News & Events

CMMC Requirements Have Changed: What Manufacturers Need to Know

October 12, 2026

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…

Take the “Cyber” Out of “Cybersecurity”

October 5, 2026

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…

Mohawk Valley-based Casestry Drives Innovation and Growth through NY MEP Partnership

January 27, 2026

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…

2025 Manufacturing Day

October 15, 2025

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…

Beyond Cybersecurity Month: Everyday Tips to Stay Safe and Secure

October 7, 2025

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…

5 Myths About Automation That Hold Small Manufacturers Back

August 20, 2025

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…

Cyber Security: Common Threats, Vulnerabilities, and Impacts

February 6, 2025

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…

Five Cybersecurity Statistics That All Manufacturers Should Know About

February 6, 2025

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…

Cybersecurity Considerations for Small and Medium Manufacturers

September 18, 2024

Throughout the years, how we use technology has changed, and cybersecurity has become more of a household word. The harsh reality is that cyber breaches are common and are a threat to not only businesses but our personal lives as well. Having good policies in place to protect your information is very important and logical…

Cybersecurity Workshop

April 19, 2022

Date: May 24th, 2022 Time: Light breakfast at 8:30am. Workshop starts at 9:00am. Location: thINCubator – 326 Broad Street, Utica, NY 13501   Cybersecurity is extremely important for businesses of every size. A weak cybersecurity profile puts a company and its employees at risk. Not only are finances and operations affected, cyber-attacks diminish your reputation…