Tech Valley Cybersecurity Symposium Highlights Importance of Protecting Small and Medium-Sized Businesses
Cybersecurity Concerns for Small Businesses
The Tech Valley Cybersecurity Symposium was held at Rivers Casino and Resort, focusing on the growing concern of cyber crimes and the importance of keeping small and medium-sized businesses safe. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 60% of small businesses consider cybersecurity a top concern. Experts warn that these businesses, along with employees who work from home, are the easiest targets of cyber crimes.
Easiest Targets of Cyber Crimes
"The presenters today talked about National Geographic and the lion in the jungle doesn’t go to the elephant. He goes for easier targets and that’s what you see in a lot of the cybersecurity threat landscapes," said Owen Burns with Pursuit Lending. Burns emphasized that it is crucial for businesses to prioritize cybersecurity, especially with the increasing use of AI and scam technology.
Recommendations for Small Businesses
Pursuit is a lending company that works with LogicalNet to keep their systems secure with IT management. One cybersecurity recommendation is to not log into company accounts on personal computers. Instead, company devices installed with safety tools can help keep the user and the business safe. Burns described, "The scariest aspect of remote work is that they’re outside the boundaries of the four walls of Pursuit in a physical sense, but we have the protections in place to operate throughout the country or throughout the world for that matter."
Importance of Safety Tools
LogicalNet’s CIO, Michael O’Mara, highlighted the importance of safety tools, including threat detection, breach alerts, and data backups. O’Mara emphasized, "Where are you most secure? You’re in the office. You’ve got secure network tools, you got firewalls, you’ve got a lot of things wrapped around that. So it’s really important to make sure that when somebody leaves the office, they are armed with the right tools."
Conclusion
The Tech Valley Cybersecurity Symposium underscored the importance of prioritizing cybersecurity for small and medium-sized businesses. By implementing safety tools and educating employees on cybersecurity best practices, businesses can significantly reduce the risk of cyber crimes. As Burns noted, "To employees, to vendors, to borrowers or ours, as well as the federal agencies who are here today talking. It’s important to let them know."
FAQs
Q: What percentage of small businesses consider cybersecurity a top concern?
A: 60% of small businesses consider cybersecurity a top concern according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Q: Who are the easiest targets of cyber crimes?
A: Small businesses and employees who work from home are the easiest targets of cyber crimes.
Q: What are some cybersecurity recommendations for small businesses?
A: One recommendation is to not log into company accounts on personal computers and instead use company devices installed with safety tools, such as threat detection, breach alerts, and data backups.
Q: What is the importance of safety tools in cybersecurity?
A: Safety tools, such as threat detection, breach alerts, and data backups, can help keep the user and the business safe by providing an added layer of protection against cyber crimes.
