The NH Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC) and NH Tech Alliance are proud to announce a new program to offer individualized cybersecurity reviews and education at no cost for businesses with up to 500 employees.
The goal of this program is to provide small businesses with the tools and resources they need to better protect their business from cyber threats. 61% of all SMBs have reported at least one cyber attack during the previous year, according to the 2021 Data Breach Investigations Report.
NH SBDC and NHTA’s program offers small businesses individualized cybersecurity reviews, education, and a one-on-one consulting appointment with a cybersecurity expert. Businesses will meet with a cybersecurity expert to discuss their cybersecurity maturity and receive an evaluation with actionable steps businesses can take to start protecting their business immediately.
To participate in the Cybersecurity Review program, businesses need to apply to the program and sign up to become an NH SBDC client. Clients receive advising and virtual training, as well as a high level cybersecurity assessment, at no cost. This entire program is free for businesses due to funding the NH SBDC received through the CARES Act.
NH SBDC and NHTA’s Cybersecurity Initiative first launched in early 2021 with webinars, an eCourse, blogs and the Data Assured Cybersecurity Workbook.
Participating cybersecurity consultants are Diana Kelley, Co-Founder and CTO of SecurityCurve and Chief vCISO at Salt Cybersecurity, Christina Stokes, Vice President of Operations at Salt Cybersecurity, Craig Taylor, Co-Founder of Cyberhoot, Ty Mezquita vCISO at Cyberhoot, and Raf Boquetti, vCISO at Cyberhoot. These consultants have a combined 75+ years of experience in cybersecurity.
All businesses have critical confidential information they need to protect relative to operations, intellectual property, strategic planning, customer and employee records, and/or financial information. Unfortunately many small businesses discount the importance of protecting this data, resulting in 43% of cyber attacks being aimed at small businesses, with only 14% prepared to defend themselves, according to the Accenture’s Cost of Cybercrime Study.
“Cybersecurity is a critical piece to building a business’ long-term resiliency. By enhancing cyber protections, small businesses can increase their competitive advantage, protect their reputation, and prevent spending thousands of dollars recovering from a cyber attack. Together with the NH Tech Alliance, NH SBDC is pleased to be working to strengthen and protect NH’s small businesses.” – Liz Gray, State Director, NH SBDC.
“The Alliance has worked collaboratively with the SBDC for years to advance initiatives that support technology and innovation in NH. We are thrilled to continue this partnership in a time when cybersecurity threats are consistently on the rise. By directly connecting NH businesses with well respected cybersecurity professionals, we are not only spreading awareness of the realities of cyber crimes, but also ensuring that these companies have tailored recommendations as to how to better protect themselves against these threats.” -Julie Demers
Information about the program and how to sign up is available at nhsbdc.org/cybersecurity/reviews