Registration required for free online training
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) is partnering with the West Virginia University Industrial Extension (WVUIE) to provide cybersecurity assessments and free online training to help WV SBDC clients, entrepreneurs and business owners protect their companies from cyberattacks.
“As more and more business is being done online, West Virginia’s small business owners need all the help they can get to create a cybersecurity infrastructure that will protect their businesses from cybercriminals looking to steal valuable information,” said WV SBDC State Director Debra Martin. “We want to thank WVUIE for helping us provide these resources to small business owners who can’t afford professional IT solutions, have limited time to devote to cybersecurity or don’t know where to begin.”
The two-part cybersecurity assessment will help businesses evaluate their readiness against cyber threats. The first part covers cybersecurity basics and can be accessed online for free at www.smallbusinessbigthreat.com/cyber101. The second part involves an evaluation with an experienced consultant at WVUIE and includes an on-site visit, if necessary.
The WV SBDC and WVUIE, with help from Advantage Technology, also plan to provide a series of cybersecurity trainings in October during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. Throughout the month, the WV SBDC, WVUIE, and Advantage Technology will present the following webinars:
- Small Business Big Threat: How to Get Cybersecurity Assistance (Oct. 6, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
- Creating a Personal Cybersecurity Policy (Oct. 13, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
- Top 10 Business Email and Data Security Tools (Oct. 20, 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.)
- How to Make a Cybersecurity Compliance Checklist (Oct. 27, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.)
The series of virtual trainings will be hosted online at www.wvsbdc.com. Webinars are free to attend, but registration is required and can be done on the WV SBDC website by clicking the “Training” tab and then through the training calendar.
To learn more about trainings and other WV SBDC cybersecurity initiatives, visit www.wvsbdc.com, call the Business Ask Me Line at 888-WVA-SBDC or email askme@wv.gov.
Since 1983, the WV SBDC has been the premier resource for small business creation and expansion in the Mountain State. 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 West Virginia’s diversifying economy.
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Related social media hashtags: #wvsbdc #cybersecurity