The NH Small Business Development Center (NH SBDC) and NH Tech Alliance have teamed up to equip small businesses with cybersecurity knowledge and resources with the new Cybersecurity Initiative.
Recent data reports* that 66% of small businesses had been the target of a cyber attack and that 63% were victims of a data breach.
Small businesses must acknowledge the possibility of cyber threats and be prepared with adequate technology and planning. They need to take action to enhance their systems and processes so they can remain resilient in today’s online economy. NH SBDC’s Phase 2 Business Resiliency Survey report (released March 2021), indicates that businesses are growing increasingly more concerned about this topic. 52% of survey respondents said they are very or somewhat concerned about Cybersecurity, up from 40% in June 2020’s Phase 1 report.
The Cybersecurity Initiative offers a web-based training program that guides businesses through cyber planning practices based upon the 5 central concepts of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework:
- Identify - Can you identify the assets and systems that are susceptible to cyber threats?
- Protect - What basic practices do you have in place to protect your systems and assets?
- Detect - What do you use to detect someone or something malicious?
- Respond - How will you deal with a breach if and when it occurs?
- Recover - How will you restore your business back to normal and recover after a breach?
Content will be delivered via a monthly webinar series, blog articles and eCourses. Businesses can also access one-on-one confidential advising from SBDC’s team of business advisors. All program offerings are provided free of cost to New Hampshire businesses.
Upcoming Webinars
NH cyber experts will offer insights for keeping businesses safe from cyber threats and about how to respond in case of an attack.
April 13 - Data Assured Program Launch Featuring Jeremy Hitchcock, co-founder and CEO of wifi management and IoT security startup, Minim and co-founder and former CEO of Dyn, and Ryan Robinson of Mainstay Technologies
May 6 - Data Assured Workbook Introduction with Jacob Blacksten, Delaware SBDC, developer of the Data Assured program
May 17- Identifying Cybersecurity Risk for Small Businesses presented by Mainstay Technologies
Cybersecurity Workbook
A planning guide for businesses
A major component of the Initiative is access to the Data Assured program. Data Assured materials include an easy to use Workbook
to help businesses protect themselves from falling victim to a cyber attack and to help them recover from a cyber attack. Fifteen other SBDC networks utilize this incredibly successful program because it has proven to work. Thank you to the Delaware SBDC for developing this valuable resource.
Access the workbook on the Cybersecurity Initiative page.
The Cybersecurity Initiative programming is offered by the NH SBDC and NH Tech Alliance with CARES Act funding.