Public Officials, Business Leaders and Cybersecurity Experts Gather at Cybersecurity Event hosted by the National Cyber Security Alliance

The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), a nonprofit public-private partnership focused on helping all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online, is coming to the San Jose metropolitan area with its STOP. THINK. CONNECT. Two Steps Ahead: Protect Your Digital Life tour to educate businesses about adopting simple security measures like two-step authentication, training employees to be more cyber aware, and finding resources needed to improve data security.

The event, which takes place on Tuesday, August 9th at The Tech Museum of Innovation (201 S Market St, San Jose, CA 95113), is part of a national tour to generate much-needed awareness about activating easily implemented security features, like two-step authentication, available on many of the Internet’s most popular sites. Rachel Wilner, ‎Vice President for Media and Community, for The Tech Museum of Innovation will kick-off the morning with welcome remarks, highlighting the museum’s “Cyber Detectives” exhibit, the nation’s first interactive exhibit designed to help visitors learn about Internet safety. The morning will feature a hands-on demonstration educating attendees on how to improve employee and business security, and a panel discussion with local business protection and cybersecurity experts will follow.

Small businesses provide the fabric that builds communities and holds them together. SMBs are the places people visit with family and friends to eat, buy clothes, gifts or gas and get personal services like pet care, haircuts or medical care. These businesses generally don’t think they are targets for cyber attacks; they may think they are too small or have nothing of value for cybercriminals to steal. Many SMBs don’t hire IT or technical security people because of cost or a lack of awareness about the cybersecurity vulnerabilities their businesses face.

The reality is that companies of all sizes are at risk, and small and medium-sized businesses are growing targets for cyber thieves. According to Symantec’s 2016 Internet Security Threat Report, there has been a steady increase in phishing attacks targeting businesses with fewer than 250 employees, with 43 percent of all attacks in 2015 targeted at small businesses. The National Small Business Association’s 2015 Year-End Economic Report indicates that cyber attacks cost small businesses on average $7,115.26. Fortunately, there are resources are available to help businesses.

“Research has repeatedly shown that most security breaches start with human error. This event will highlight many simple steps people can take live a safer personal and professional ‘digital life’” said Bill Rosenthal, CEO of Logical Operations and an event sponsor.

“We live in a world where today’s workforce is mobile, remote, and cloud-centric. The data that floats through this new environment is no less critical than in years past – in fact you could argue that it is more critical. But it’s also more vulnerable to attack than at any other time before.” said Kevin Rock, Sr. Director of Products and Programs at New Horizons CLC. “From hacking down to social engineering, our data is constantly at risk and the first line of defense in its protection is an educated workforce. You can have all the great tools you want – if you don’t have the people who fully know how to leverage them, then you might as well have no protection at all. Get educated!”

“Today’s technology options are a boon to efficiency and productivity, but they can be a cybersecurity nightmare when users don’t use safe computing practices,” said Todd Thibodeaux, president and CEO, CompTIA. “Research consistently shows that the weakest link in cybersecurity defense is the person using the PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. This national tour will educate and empower consumers and businesses with effective security practices to stay safe online at home, at work or on the road.”

The event will include the following:

●     Andy Steingruebl, Sr. Dir. of Product and Ecosystem Security Architecture, PayPal

●     Ryan Pardee, Supervisory Special Agent, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Oakland

●     Steve McFarland, President/CEO, Better Business Bureau of Los Angeles & Silicon Valley

●     Patrick Lane, Senior Manager, Products, Skills Certification, CompTIA

●     Kevin Rock, Senior Director, Products and Programs, New Horizons Computer Learning Centers

●     Joe Mignano, Vice President, Channels, Logical Operations

●     Rachel Wilner, ‎Vice President for Media and Community, The Tech Museum of Innovation

●     Kristin Judge, Director of Special Projects, National Cyber Security Alliance

The event will take place on Tuesday, August 9th from 9am-11am. Continental breakfast and registration are free, and the event is open to the public (space is limited).  “We want to thank all our partners in advance for helping to make the event in San Jose a success,” Michael Kaiser, NCSA Executive Director said. The Tech Museum of Innovation is offering same-day free admission to the museum for event attendees.

To register visit: https://twostepsaheadsanjose.eventbrite.com

To learn more about staying safe online and to find links to websites that offer additional account security visit www.stopthinkconnect.org/.

About The National Cyber Security Alliance 

The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) is the nation’s leading nonprofit, public-private partnership promoting cybersecurity and privacy education and awareness. NCSA works with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and NCSA’s Board of Directors, which include representatives from ADP; AT&T Services, Inc.; Bank of America; BlackBerry Corporation; Cisco; Comcast Corporation; ESET North America; Facebook; Google; Intel Corporation; Logical Operations; Microsoft Corp.; PayPal; PKWARE; RSA, the Security Division of EMC; Raytheon; SANS Institute; Symantec and Visa Inc. NCSA’s core efforts include National Cyber Security Awareness Month (October), Data Privacy Day (January 28) and STOP. THINK. CONNECT., the global online safety awareness and education campaign led by NCSA and the Anti Phishing Working Group, with federal government leadership from DHS. For more information on NCSA, please visit staysafeonline.org/about-us/overview/.

About Logical Operations

Logical Operations develops and publishes the most widely-used and respected training courseware available today. Logical Operations’ curriculum offerings include over 5,500 unique titles that span across major categories including User Productivity, Data Science, Networking and Security, Web Development and Mobile Programming, Project Management and Business Analysis, and Workplace Skills. Its content is designed to be flexible for any learning environment (virtual, in-person, or asynchronous) and is delivered through a multitude of delivery platforms to help expand the student learning experience in and beyond the classroom. For more information, connect with Logical Operations at https://logicaloperations.com, and on Twitter @logicalops.