API News
API Sponsors Monmouth Robotics Club
A Partner in Technology is pleased to be the 2021-2022 sponsor of the Monmouth Robotics Club.
Thank You, Rachel!
December 8, 2021
The API Team gathered to celebrate Rachel Choate’s 12.5 years of dedication and hard work contributing to API’s success as she begins her retirement. Congratulations, Rachel!
Welcoming Kaylin to your API team!
October 22, 2021
Kaylin Mansir will be taking over Accounting and Contract admin duties shadowing Rachel Choate over the coming weeks.
Kaylin lives in Pittston with her fiancée. She’s a local girl graduating from Gardiner High School, then graduated from St Joseph’s College with a Bachelor of Science degree, worked for Amazon before returning to her roots here in Maine close to family and friends. She enjoys and played field hockey in High School and College and now coaches the 5th-6th grade travel team.
We are super excited to have Kaylin onboard.
Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine Award
September 16, 2021
For the past 4 years, API has been supporting one youth in Maine with the gift of a lifetime license to fish in Maine.
API is proud to announce this year, the recipient of a Lifetime fishing license in the State of Maine was awarded to Ethan Lavigne of Gardiner. The award was given on September 11, 2021, at the 12th Annual Sportsman’s Alliance of Maine banquet.
Congratulations Ethan!
The MAINE Monitor: In a first for Maine, ransomware hackers hit two public wastewater plants
Experts worry as cyber criminals target smaller utilities that play crucial roles.
By Kate Cough | August 15, 2021
Pace of attacks increasing ‘dramatically’
Attacks in Maine have increased dramatically in all sectors in the past year, said Scott Fossett, president of A Partner in Technology (API), a Gardiner-based company.
“The pace is picking up, definitely, over the last nine to 12 months,” said Fossett. “I have been in this industry over 20 years, and it was few and far between that this was happening to Maine businesses. Now we’re seeing it could be any business sector in Maine.”
Hackers also are targeting smaller and smaller organizations, said Derek Hussey, API’s chief technology officer.
“Two years ago we saw very little in Maine. But now, especially in the past nine months, we’re seeing a lot more. They’re targeting organizations that are only 10 people or less and adjusting that ransom accordingly.”
News that companies are paying ransoms encourages hackers to keep trying. “They’re making money at this,” Fossett said.
In 2018, the average ransomware payment nationwide was roughly $7,000 (links to a PDF), according to the security firm Coveware. In the second quarter of 2021, that figure had jumped to around $137,000. Although attacks such a recent one in Florida on a water system, in which the level of lye in the water was briefly adjusted, get a lot of attention, that’s not what most hackers are seeking.
“Their end goal is to earn money,” said Hussey. “They seem very good at being able to determine what size the business is and appropriately adjusting that number in their ransomware letter.”
In Maine, he’s seen hackers ask for as little as $1,200. “They’re going to look at a very small ransom, in hopes that the business can afford it, in hopes that they’re going to pay it.”
Having backups may protect against data loss but doesn’t necessarily protect against ransom payments because hackers may threaten to publicly release data if a company or municipality doesn’t pay.
Fossett declined to disclose what percentage of the company’s clients have paid a ransom to recover data or unlock systems. “As professionals in this business, we never want to see a client pay ransom. That’s our goal.”
Dillon Clifford joins API
December 28, 2020
Dillon Clifford of Waterville Maine joins API as Solutions Engineer.
API’s Gardiner Office Has a New Location
A Partner in Technology
6 Central Maine Crossing
Suite 3
Gardiner, Maine 04345
API is Now Offering Web Design & Development Services
Mon, Sep 30th, 2019
API has acquired Dimensions Web Design of Manchester, which was founded by Lisa Montagna in 2009. We now offer website design, development, and maintenance services. All websites are mobile-ready and search engine friendly. WordPress websites are a specialty.
API’s Gardiner Office has moved
Mon, Oct 29th, 2018
We have moved our headquarters office from 218 Water Street to 122 Brunswick Avenue Suite 1. We are excited about this new space and look forward to better visibility as you leave downtown Gardiner and head out toward 295. Look for us on the left. Stop by and say hi and have a cup of coffee! Our mascot Bailey (Rachel’s Black Lab) is still at the office every day.
Chris (CJ) Parker
Mon, Feb 5th, 2018
Chris (CJ) Parker, Systems Engineer joins API.
Derek Hussey joins API
Mon, Jan 4th, 2016
Derek Hussey, Senior Solutions Architect joins API.
Beech Tree Consulting merges with API
Thu, Jan 1st, 2015
Derek Pilkington joins API
Mon, Oct 15th, 2012
Derek Pilkington, Systems Engineer joins API.
3 Year IT Support
Thu, Dec 1st, 2011
API was awarded 3 years IT Support services contract for City of Gardiner, Gardiner public works and Gardiner Public Library.
“I am very pleased with the caliber and professionalism of the staff at API,” said Anne Davis, the Director of Library and Information Services and who also oversees the City’s technology needs. “They are familiar with our network environment and their response time is outstanding. API has a commitment to the City of Gardiner because they are based here and I look forward to working with Mr. Fossett and his staff.”
