Michigan Small Business Development Center encourages clients to attend free SBA Cyber Summit

Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman, head of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), announced that the agency will host a free, virtual National Cyber Summit on Wednesday October 26.

This cybersecurity forum, a first for the agency, will help introduce American small businesses to tools, tips, and resources to bolster their cybersecurity infrastructure in addition to exploring new trends and challenges entrepreneurs are increasingly facing.

“America’s small businesses are pivoting to digital technologies and online strategies at historic rates to reach new customers and improve operational efficiencies, but that pivot has also exposed them to significant new threats from cyberattacks,” said Guzman. “Our SBA team has mobilized to support them against these potentially disruptive threats with cybersecurity resources and trainings across our resource partner networks, as well as through our recently launched Small Business Digital Alliance. Launching the SBA’s first annual Cybersecurity Summit will help us build on that work and ensure America’s 33 million small businesses and innovative startups can pivot safely online and grow
resilient businesses.”

Sessions include executive dialogues representing multiple industries, technical coaches offering practical advice, scenario-based exercises demonstrating what to do if your business is compromised, and more. Small business owners are invited to join the free virtual summit by registering at www.bit.ly/SBACyberSummit.

“Now, more than ever, small businesses need to be vigilant about protecting their businesses. The same technology that allows for growth can also allow for vulnerability,” said cybersecurity expert Scott Taber, who heads up the Michigan Small Business Development Center’s Small Business Big Threat program.

The MI-SBDC provides no-cost consulting, business education, market research and technology commercialization to new and existing businesses throughout Michigan’s 83 counties. Michiganders looking to start or grow a business can connect to free export services, market research, cybersecurity resources and business education through the MI-SBDC by visiting michigansbdc.org.