{"id":27774,"date":"2017-01-24T09:30:16","date_gmt":"2017-01-24T14:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/?p=27774"},"modified":"2017-02-06T12:00:58","modified_gmt":"2017-02-06T17:00:58","slug":"florida-sbdc-at-fiu-chase-help-miami-small-businesses-prepare-against-cyber-threats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/biznews.fiu.edu\/2017\/01\/florida-sbdc-at-fiu-chase-help-miami-small-businesses-prepare-against-cyber-threats\/","title":{"rendered":"Florida SBDC at FIU, Chase Help Miami Small Businesses Prepare Against Cyber Threats."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Florida<\/p>\n

In recent years, high profile data breaches and cyber-attacks have garnered headlines worldwide. Most recently, the 2016 presidential campaign has kept the issue in the forefront of the public\u2019s consciousness.<\/p>\n

Lost in splashy headlines and high-profile breaches has been the reality: small businesses are prime targets for cyber-attacks. Small businesses are often an entry point for hackers into larger companies or the Federal government. They possess valuable data information hackers want, but often lack the budget and staff to mount advanced cyber defenses.<\/p>\n

According to a 2016 Business Leaders Outlook study from Chase for Business, cybersecurity is a top concern for Hispanic business leaders, with 29 percent “very concerned” and 23 percent “extremely concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n

The College of Business\u2019 Florida SBDC at Florida International University<\/a> (FIU) is doing its part to better prepare Miami-Dade County small businesses against cyber-attacks and data breaches.<\/p>\n

On January 11th<\/sup>, the Florida SBDC at FIU partnered with Chase for Business to address the topic at the \u201cKeep Up Your Guard: Cyber Threats & How to Protect Your Business\u201d event. Over 140 attendees heard from speakers including representatives from the U.S. Secret Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and JPMorgan Chase.<\/p>\n

\"Keep<\/p>\n

Held at the Rusty Pelican in Key Biscayne, the presentation was part of Chase\u2019s \u201cConnecting Minds\u201d event series, designed to help Hispanic small business owners in Miami and Houston bolster their success through access to relationships, experts in critical topics, and resources to fund and grow their businesses.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s important for small business owners to be aware of the potential for cyber threats, and we want to arm them with tools and resources needed to protect their business,\u201d said Diane Rogerson, director, CCB Information Technology Risk and Controls for JPMorgan Chase.<\/p>\n

Keynote speaker Charles \u201cBrad\u201d Leopard, supervisor of the Miami Electronic Crimes Task Force with the U.S. Secret Service, discussed the cyber threat landscape for small businesses.<\/p>\n

Attendees watched a live hack demonstration from Rod Soto, security researcher at HackMiami, a \u201cwhite-hat\u201d hacker group. He simulated an attack and account takeover of an organization\u2019s Google account and apps. This provided attendees with an understanding of how social engineering works and how criminals can take over and retrieve account information in under ten minutes.<\/p>\n

Closing out the event was a panel discussion moderated by Brian Fonseca, Director of FIU\u2019s Jack D. Gordon Institute. Panelists discussed emerging cyber threats for small businesses, including ransomware and the dangers of storing information via cloud computing. They also provided guidance for entrepreneurs looking to bolster their cyber defenses such as improving password protection and using two-step authentication measures.<\/p>\n

\"Strengthening<\/p>\n

The biggest vulnerability? Employees.<\/p>\n

\u201cCybercriminals increasingly target employees from across all levels of the organization,\u201d said Fonseca, an expert on national security and cybersecurity. \u201cBusinesses, especially small businesses without rigorous cybersecurity\u00a0protection, must ensure that employees adopt behaviors that reduce threats to data, such as using multi-factor authentication for passwords, not clicking suspicious links, and maintaining offline back-ups.\u201d<\/p>\n

Strengthening Miami-Dade County Small Business Cyber Defenses<\/em><\/p>\n

According to a 2016 IBM\/Ponemon Institute study, the average cost of a data breach to small businesses is $38,000, with an average cost per breached record at $221\/customer. These potential costs include legal fees, investigation fees, fines, insurance premium hikes, and the loss of customers. Businesses that weather the hack often do not survive the fallout.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s event with Chase built off of another successful cybersecurity workshop the SBDC at FIU held in conjunction with FBI Miami in March 2016. Presenters unveiled guides to assist business owners facing a breach as well as those looking to improve online security.<\/p>\n

In November 2016, the center rolled out a 25-minute cybersecurity webinar<\/a> targeted specifically at small businesses. The webinar is presented by Florida SBDC at FIU associate director Brian Van Hook, who received an Executive Certificate in Cybersecurity Leadership & Strategy from FIU.<\/p>\n

To attend a Florida SBDC at FIU event, follow them on Facebook at \u201c<\/em>FIU Entrepreneurship<\/em><\/a>\u201d or on Twitter at \u201c<\/em>@fiuentrepreneur<\/em><\/a>\u201d.<\/em><\/p>\n

Did you know? <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Protecting your critical data\/systems against cyber-attacks:<\/p>\n