Minimize risk of cyber attacks

  POPLARVILLE – Business owners can take several steps to reduce the chances of a cyber attack.
  Bob Stack, chief information officer at Pearl River Community College, discussed how to be web savvy during a Lunch and Learn session Sept. 27 at PRCC. The session was held in cooperation with the Poplarville Area Chamber of Commerce.
  Stack quoted figures compiled by the FBI in 2014, the most recent available:
• Americans are more worried about their credit cards information being stolen than any other type of crime;
• 27 percent of Americans have had credit card information stolen;
• 11 percent of Americans have had their computer or phone hacked.
  “This is a real problem for us in the modern day world,” Stack said.
  Businesses are particularly vulnerable to the long-range effects of cyber attacks, he said, pointing out that 60 percent of small to medium businesses close within six months of a data breach.
  “You should use screen lock or password-protected screensavers on every computer,” he said. “Instead of passwords, create a complex pass phrase.”
  An incident managment plan, a strong security posture and a chief information security officer or employee responsible for data protection are essential to protecting business data, Stack said. Business owners should hold periodic table top risk assessments, develop a plan to deal with a security breach and possibly discuss options with a security expert.
  If a computer or phone is breached, don’t use it until police arrive and follow their instructions, he said.


Bob Stack, chief information officer at Pearl River Community College, discusses web security at the Lunch and Learn held in conjunction with the Poplarville Area Chamber of Commerce.
PRCC Public Relations photo

Each community college president is asked to bring two (2) wrapped door prizes, minimum value of $50 each. We will have a station set up at the conference for you to drop off the door prizes.

Each community college is asked to provide name tags for their Board members, administration, and staff attending the conference.