Almost 75 percent of small to mid-sized businesses say a safe, secure internet is critical to their success, yet a majority (87 percent) have no internet security policies or procedures in place for employees, according to a national small business study conducted by the National Cyber Security Alliance. The study also found that 59 percent of small business owners/operators say they do not have a contingency plan outlining procedures for responding to and reporting a data breach loss.
“This isn’t surprising given the conversations we have with small to mid-sized businesses,” says Sean Wright, founder and president, Affinity Technology Partners, a managed services firm. “Unfortunately, it often takes a data breach or other disaster to give internet security the attention it deserves in an organization.”
Affinity Technology Partners, of Brentwood TN, together with Constangy, Brooks, Smith and Prophete LLP and the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Studio, are looking to change the perception about cyber security and educate small business owners on best practices to protect their businesses. The organizations are hosting two seminars entitled Small Business, BIG Target: How to Protect Your Company from Cyber Attacks, as part of National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) on Oct. 18th and Oct. 27th.
The sessions will feature industry experts, including a Supervisory Special Agent from the FBI’s Cyber Division, in a panel discussion and Q&A to provide actionable tips to safeguard company assets, what to do in the event of a cyber attack, types of cyber threats being investigated by the FBI, and best policies and procedures for protecting data and responding to data breaches.
The educational seminars are complimentary but space is limited and registration is required. The details for both seminars are provided below:
When: October 18, 2017 at 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (includes breakfast)
Where: Pinnacle Financial Partners, 128 Franklin Road, Brentwood, TN 37027
Who: Session moderated by Jennifer Shepard, Senior Vice President/Financial Advisor, Pinnacle Financial Partners.
Panelists include:
Sean Wright, Founder & President, Affinity Technology Partners
Mallory Ricci, Attorney, Co-Chair, Constangy Data Privacy Group
Dean Kinsman, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Cyber Division
Register: affinitytechpartners.com/events
When: October 27, 2017 at 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (includes lunch)
Where: Nashville Bar Association, Conference Room, 150 4th Avenue North, Suite 1050, Nashville, TN 37219
Who: Session moderated by Mallory Ricci, Attorney, Co-Chair, Constangy Data Privacy Group.
Panelists include:
William Hammel, Partner, Co-Chair, Constangy Data Privacy Group
Sean Wright, Founder & President, Affinity Technology Partners
Dean Kinsman, Supervisory Special Agent, FBI Cyber Division
Register: Contact Tammy Dotson, [email protected] or 615-340-3808
Recognized every October, NCSAM was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure all digital citizens have the resources needed to stay safe and more secure online while also protecting their personal information.
Coordinated and led by the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), NCSAM has grown exponentially since its inception, reaching consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, corporations, educational institutions and young people across the nation and internationally. Affinity Technology Partners has become an official Champion of NCSAM 2017.
About Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete, LLP
Constangy, Brooks, Smith & Prophete offers a wider lens on workplace law. We have counseled employers exclusively since 1946. With offices in 15 states, we are one of the largest labor and employment law practices in the U.S. Constangy has been named as a top firm for women and minorities by organizations including Law360, the National Law Journal and Vault.com. Many of our more than 180 attorneys have been recognized by leading authorities such as Chambers & Partners®, Best Lawyers in America® and Martindale Hubbell. Find out more about us online at www.constangy.com or follow us on Twitter @ConstangyLaw.
About Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce’s Business Studio
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is Middle Tennessee’s largest business federation, representing more than 2,000 member companies. Belong, engage, lead, prosper embodies the Chamber’s focus on facilitating community leadership to create economic prosperity for Middle Tennessee. The work of the Nashville Area Chamber is supported by members and sponsors; the Chamber’s Pivotal Partners (a partnership at the highest level for all Chamber programs and events) are Delek US Holdings, Bass Berry Sims, BlueCross/BlueShield of Middle Tennessee, Community Health Systems and Regions. Together with its affiliates, the Nashville Chamber works to strengthen the region’s business climate and to enhance Nashville’s position as a desirable place to live, work and visit. The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce created Business Studio as a resource center for small businesses of Middle Tennessee. Business Studio is designed for small business owners to build your business, connect with peers and customers and discover new ideas and inspiration to grow and thrive. For more information, visit nashvillechamber.com.
About Affinity Technology Partners
Founded in 2002, Affinity Technology Partners provides managed services technology for clients in Middle Tennessee. The company specializes in network management, systems administration, network security and cloud computing for small to mid-size businesses in various industries including healthcare, financial services, education, professional services, manufacturing and non-profits. Headquartered in Brentwood, Tenn., Affinity assists clients with HIPAA, FINRA, SEC/GLBA and PCI compliance. Learn more at www.affinitytechpartners.com.
