Tens of Thousands Across Research Institutions Now Protected as FRGP Activates Quad9 DNS Security
The Front Range GigaPop (FRGP) Research and Education Network (REN), managed by the University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (UCAR), announces the adoption of the Quad9 DNS service to further strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure for member institutions.
This critical partnership underscores the FRGP’s commitment to delivering secure, reliable, and high-performance network services across the research and education community.
In 2024, the average cost for lower education institutions to recover from a ransomware attack surged to $3.76 million, more than double the $1.59 million reported in 2023. Higher education institutions faced even steeper costs, averaging $4.02 million, nearly four times the $1.06 million from the previous year.
These statistics highlight the pressing need for educational institutions to implement effective cybersecurity tools. Services like Quad9, which block access to known malicious domains, are essential in safeguarding sensitive data and ensuring the integrity and privacy of educational environments.
“As cyber threats continue to evolve, it’s more critical than ever that research and education institutions have access to robust, privacy-respecting protections,” said John Hernandez, Network Engineer at the FRGP. “Implementing Quad9 reinforces our responsibility to safeguard the integrity of our network and the privacy of our users—without compromising performance.
Quad9 is a globally distributed DNS resolver that provides enhanced security and privacy by blocking access to known malicious domains. By integrating Quad9, the FRGP users will benefit from real-time threat prevention without sacrificing speed or accessibility.
Hernandez continues, “Nonprofit solutions like Quad9 are essential to maintaining trust and resilience across the digital infrastructure that supports learning, discovery, and innovation. Every REN should consider looking at similar steps to strengthen their defenses and support the broader cybersecurity ecosystem.”
Quad9 is a nonprofit service that does not store personal data and complies with stringent privacy standards, making it an ideal fit for educational and research institutions that prioritize user confidentiality.
“The DNS is one of the most foundational layers of the Internet, and it's often overlooked when it comes to cybersecurity,” states Simon Forster, General Manager of Quad9. “By integrating Quad9 into its infrastructure, the FRGP is not only protecting tens of thousands of users from malware and phishing threats but also making a clear statement about the importance of privacy-respecting, nonprofit-led DNS solutions. This is a strong model for how research and education networks can prioritize both performance and public good.”
The deployment of Quad9 on the FRGP infrastructure began on January 29, 2025 and has been fully available to all participants. If you are an organization interested in learning more about how to protect your users from cyber threats, get in touch with the team here: partnerships@quad9.net
About FRGP REN:
The Front Range GigaPop is a regional high-performance network, managed by UCAR, that supports research, education, and public service institutions in the Rocky Mountain region. It provides advanced networking capabilities to foster innovation, collaboration, and academic excellence.
About Quad9:
Quad9 is a free, recursive, anycast DNS platform that blocks access to malicious domains using threat intelligence from more than 30 industry-leading cybersecurity companies. Quad9 is operated by the Swiss-based Quad9 Foundation and is committed to user privacy and data protection.
