Businesses can Learn Protection Tips during Cybersecurity Month Online Workshop
As cybersecurity becomes increasingly paramount, Arkansas businesses can learn strategies for protecting themselves, reducing risk, and building resilience during an upcoming online session.
The Arkansas Small Business and Technology Development Center (ASBTDC) and University of Arkansas at Little Rock CORE (Cyberspace Operations Research and Education) Center are collaborating to present Cyber Smart: Protecting Your Business In A Digital World. During the online session Thursday, Oct. 29, cyber experts will share steps for safeguarding systems, customer data, and more, with Raney Anderson, CORE Center Operations Manager, as the featured speaker.
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and “we will highlight practical ways to recognize phishing attempts, password protection, multi factor authentication, protecting business data, and building a culture of cybersecurity awareness among employees,” said Anderson. “Small businesses are an important part of our economic infrastructure, yet many organizations lack the resources or dedicated personnel to address cybersecurity risks effectively. This session will provide practical, accessible guidance that business owners and employees can apply immediately to their environment, increasing their security posture.”
Those who attend the session will be better able to recognize threats, reduce preventable risks, and make cybersecurity part of their daily routine, as cybersecurity is essential to protecting business operations, financial resources, and customer information, added Anderson. “Cybersecurity Awareness Month is an opportunity to reinforce that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility, and that small, consistent actions can make a meaningful difference in preventing incidents and strengthening business resilience.”
In addition to it being Cybersecurity Month, the holiday shopping season is right around the corner — a time of increased hacks and scams — so it behooves businesses to make sure they have their systems and customer data protected, noted ASBTDC State Director Laura Fine. And while this is the first event for ASBTDC with CORE, the goal is to offer additional training events for businesses in 2027.
“Through our partnership with UA Little Rock’s CORE Center, we are working together to address real-world business challenges,” added Fine. “Cybersecurity is a critical need for small businesses, (and) this inaugural workshop is a great example of connecting businesses with university expertise that can help them protect and strengthen their operations.”
The event will also provide an overview of the CORE Center’s services available to businesses, and there is no cost to participate in Cyber Smart.
For questions about the event, contact ASBTDC’s Laterika Tooks-Staton at 501-804-4530 or [email protected]. Individuals can register up to the time of the 1 p.m. event online at https://asbtdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/70372565.