The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) is launching a cybersecurity initiative to train small businesses to defend themselves against the growing risk of cyber threat.
“Cyber intrusion is a big threat to all small businesses, from coffee shops to industrial manufacturers,” said WV SBDC Director Erika Bailey. “That is why WV SBDC has joined with Advantage Technology to provide a free cyber security training workshop.”
Business owners can sign up for one of three workshops presented around the Mountain State in July. WV SBDC strongly recommends advance registration as space is limited. To register, visit www.wvsbdc.com, click Training Calendar and search for the date or location of your choice.
“Cybersecurity workshop attendees will get fundamental knowledge and gain valuable situational awareness in the everchanging landscape of cybercrime,” said Chris May of Advantage Technology.
The workshops are:
- Tuesday, July 10: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Shepherd University Martinsburg Center, Martinsburg
- Tuesday, July 17: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., Charleston Area Alliance, Charleston
- Monday, July 23: 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., High Technology Foundation Robert H. Mollohan Research Center, Room 232, Fairmont
At each venue, attendees can enjoy a light breakfast and will have an opportunity to win an encrypted thumb drive. Local WV SBDC business coaches will be available to speak with participants about other small business concerns.
The training session will tie-in with the “Small Business Big Threat” cybersecurity risk assessment on the WV SBDC website training page. Both the assessment and the workshops are free.
“Small Business Big Threat” is an online course designed to increase business owners’ cybersecurity awareness of threats, prevention and response. The assessment enables business owners to test what they know, review best practices and identify a cybersecurity action plan for their businesses. Suitable for both cyber-savvy and nontechnical owners, the course presents a glossary of cyber-related terms and lessons learned from the experience of other small businesses. In the “cybersecurity challenge,” the business owner pits his or her knowledge against cyber villains who attack through weaknesses such as data protection, passwords and physical security. Course participants receive a free Cybersecurity Readiness Checklist.
Business owners may also download free digital booklet from Advantage Technology, a technology company headquartered in Charleston. The booklet “Everything You Need to Know About Cybersecurity but Were Afraid to Ask” is available from the company’s website at https://www.advantage.tech/cybersecurity/everything.
The cybersecurity program lead sponsor is Advantage Technology. The breakfast sponsor is First Microloan of West Virginia.
Cybersecurity initiative partners are Charleston Area Alliance, Shepherd University Martinsburg Center, Martinsburg Chamber of Commerce, Marion County Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Martinsburg, West Virginia High Technology Foundation, Morgan County Economic Development Authority, Jefferson County Economic Development Authority, and the West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office.
The WV SBDC has served as the premier resource for small business creation and expansion in West Virginia since 1983. As a key economic driver, the WV SBDC offers a variety of services to entrepreneurs and small businesses to increase their profitability and customer base, enabling continued growth and prosperity for the state’s diversifying economy.
