Oct. 18: Cyber security training in Bismarck

The North Dakota Small Business Development Centers (ND SBDC) in cooperation with the Kansas SBDC will hold a cyber security event Oct. 18 at the Leach Center for Student Life on the University of Mary campus, Bismarck. The event, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., includes a networking lunch. The event is free, but seating is limited. Register at https://clients.ndsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=3380001.

It is no longer a matter of if, but when. From malware and viruses to worms and ransomware, business owners need to be aware of and plan for the risks of a cyber-attack.

Brian Dennis, director of the Kansas SBDC Cybersecurity Center for Small Business, will present for business owners and managers, human resource professionals, as well as individuals handling confidential or sensitive information in their businesses including attorneys, accountants, and realtors.  In addition, the event will provide a platform for students and educators to engage with industry professionals.

“We are working to improve the digital footprint of all small businesses,” said Brian Dennis, Kansas SBDC Cybersecurity Center for Small Business. “Events like this will allow business owners the opportunities to better understand what steps can be taken to make real changes.”

“It can be easy to think of cyber security as a big city, big business issue but that is not the case. It’s something all business owners need to learn about and do what they can to protect themselves from,” says David K. Martin, ND SBDC State Director. “We’re pleased to offer some training and tools to help.”

Small businesses are increasingly targets of cyber attacks. Many will not recover from a successful attack.

• 20 percent of small to mid-sized organizations (SMBs) that experienced a successful ransomware infiltration had to cease business operations immediately, and 12% lost revenue (State of Ransomware, Malwarebytes and Osterman Research).
• 57 percent of SMBs experienced nine or more hours of downtime from a successful ransomware infiltration. Some organizations were down for more than 100 hours because of the infection (State of Ransomware, Malwarebytes and Osterman Research).
• 7 in 10 customers would consider leaving a business (e.g., their financial institution, healthcare provider) if it were hit by ransomware (Carbon Black Ransom Aware survey).

The event is free to attend and is scheduled from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., including a networking lunch. Seating is limited so registration is required. Sign up to reserve your seat today! https://clients.ndsbdc.org/workshop.aspx?ekey=3380001

About ND SBDC

The ND SBDC helps North Dakotans start, manage, and grow their businesses. We use our expertise to help make your business successful. Our professional business advisers have years of experience and know what it takes operate a successful business in North Dakota. ND SBDC is funded by federal, state, and local partners, allowing us to provide advising and training to businesses across the state at low or no cost. We are an accredited member of America’s SBDC, the most comprehensive small business assistance network in the U.S.

The Lead Center office is housed on the UND campus in Grand Forks and is part of the Center for Business Engagement & Development. There are 10 service center offices across the state, serving all 53 counties in North Dakota.

To learn more, visit: ndsbdc.org or call 701.777.3700.

About Kansas SBDC Cybersecurity Center for Small Business

The Kansas SBDC Cybersecurity Center for Small Business is a statewide advising, consulting, and training service focused on reducing the risk of cyber-attack on small business. Funding allows the Cybersecurity Center to provide advising and training (i.e. risk assessments, NIST standards, benchmarking) to businesses across the state at low or no cost. The Cybersecurity Center is hosted by the University of Kansas in partnership with the Kansas SBDC.

For more information about the cyber security event, contact David Martin, 701.777.3700, david.k.martin@und.edu