OGLESBY Illinois Valley Community College cybersecurity program coordinator Nancy McDonnell presented “Cybersecurity Today” live via Zoom to about 30 small business owners and staff last month. McDonnell’s presentation, sponsored in partnership with district chambers of commerce, focused on what businesses can do to thwart cyberattack.
“The basic premise is, if it connects to the internet, it can be hacked,” McDonnell warned, adding, “It can be breached if you don’t take precautions.”
Cyberattacks cost businesses an average of $200,000 to $320,000 and 43 percent target small business, she said. However, 60 percent of small businesses have no plan and 60 percent fold within six months of an attack.
“If cyberattack can put you out of business, it should be a high priority,” she said.
McDonnell said every IT professional needs cybersecurity proficiencies to protect and defend apps, data, devices, infrastructure and people. Security training is no longer optional, it is essential.
“80 percent of the attacks that end in a data breach start in a phishing email. Security awareness and phish training is a must-have in 2021,” she said. McDonnell urges businesses to “create a security culture.”
IVCC’s cybersecurity program certifies IT professionals and novices in basic to advanced skills through its offerings of Security+, Ethical Hacking, Cybersecurity Scripting, Computer Ethics, CySA+, Digital Forensics and Managing Information Security. Students with the proper prerequisites can enroll in the program for the spring semester starting Jan. 14. Small and large businesses “have to have a plan” and “invest in IT training to help lockup your network,” McDonnell said. “No business is too small to be hacked. We can help you protect your business.”
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