Resource Center >  Tribal work: Mobility and broadband
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Many Native American communities face challenges when it comes to broadband internet access. Nationwide estimates show more than 18% of people living on tribal lands don’t have access to broadband services as of 2020, compared to only 4% of people in non-tribal areas.1

As a result, many tribal governments, businesses, and communities are still unable to benefit from many of the modern technological advances other municipalities have implemented for critical services like education, transportation, public safety, telehealth, and more. 

The federal government is working to close this digital divide with efforts like the $3 billion Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program (2021). A second round of funding of nearly $1 billion was also recently announced in July 2023.2 

Preparing for better times ahead

As the much-needed funding makes its way through government channels to telecom developers, Native American organizations can plan ahead for these infrastructure improvements and prepare to take advantage of the enhanced connectivity as it arrives. 

Given that broadband may be delivered either through a wired connection or a wireless connection, choosing end-user devices that can work with both provides options for employees working remotely or in the field. The Lenovo ThinkPad® X13 with Windows 11 Pro and Intel vPro®, An Intel® Evo™ Design, features ultra-fast connectivity options with Wi-Fi 6E and 4G or 5G WWAN, along with a smaller form factor designed for work anywhere. 

Plus, the ThinkPad X13 is tested against the 12 benchmarks in the US Department of Defense’s MIL-STD-810H standards, so it’s able to perform in extreme conditions for temperature, humidity, vibration, and more. This is critical for driving productivity with field teams or in the transportation industry.

Having versatile technology in place means tribal governments can better serve remote communities in their area. First responders can more easily coordinate support and streamline processes, even from the field. 

Securing the expanded perimeter

As more employees gain remote access to tribal systems, the need for enhanced cybersecurity becomes even greater. Outside the traditional firewalls and security protocols of office environments, the focus must switch to the endpoint devices themselves.

80%+ of organizations have experienced a BIOS or firmware attack below the OS.3

Upgrading to the latest endpoint devices running Windows 11 Pro helps maintain a stronger defense as hardware and software evolve together with enhanced security integration. Businesses report a 3.1x reduction in firmware attacks with modern devices running Windows 11 Pro.4

Lenovo ThinkShield builds on that foundation with end-to-end multilayered security that protects users from evolving cybersecurity threats. That begins with a documented and auditable Zero Trust supply chain security program that leverages key Intel® technology features. IT teams can track the components used during manufacturing through delivery to end users — and know the device is secure before they even open the box. 

The Intel® Transparent Supply Chain (Intel TSC) enables supply chain transparency and verifies the state of hardware, firmware, and software integrity. The Intel® Auto Verify tool compares the “snapshot” of the direct platform data taken during manufacturing with a “snapshot” of the platform components taken at first boot to help detect tampering. Lenovo also provides a customer web portal that provides convenient access to system records for compliance audits and more.

Building on the enhanced security features of the Intel vPro® platform and Windows 11 Pro, ThinkShield also brings best-of-breed options for every aspect of device security — from multifactor authentication and online sandboxing of email and browsing to AI-enabled endpoint detection, USB hardware attacks, and patch remediation.

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Supporting a better experience for remote employees
 
For many tribal organizations, IT support resources are already stretched thin. And providing day-to-day support as tribal organizations adopt remote or hybrid work options can take focus off more strategic transformational projects that are already underway.

55% of organizations feel they aren’t managing their endpoints very efficiently.5

Lenovo Premier Support can take the burden of end-user support off tribal IT departments with 24/7/365 access to unscripted support from Lenovo technology experts. Employees get a single point of contact for simplified end-to-end case management and priority service delivery and repair parts. 

Lenovo Premier Support Plus goes even further by including Accidental Damage Protection (ADP) to cover accidents beyond the system warranty. It also incorporates AI-powered proactive and predictive services to help identify and resolve issues before they become problems. 

Ready for what’s next

As tribal governments, businesses, and organizations navigate the path to digital transformation, Lenovo is ready to help with the industry’s broadest portfolio of solutions and services. 

Contact your Lenovo representative and visit www.lenovo.com/Tribal to learn more.

 

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