OutSecure Inc. and Sacred Heart University in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security “Stop. Think. Connect.” campaign will lead the Connecticut Business Summit on Security, Privacy and Trust Nov. 14, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.

Other participating partners are the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Council of Better Business Bureaus. The university offers a master’s degree program in cyber security designed to provide students with an introduction to information security, risk and threat management and security architecture.

Pamela Gupta of Easton is president of OutSecure Inc., located at 2 Trap Falls Road in Shelton. She will provide a tabletop simulation of what businesses need to do if their security is breached.

“The number and frequency of data breaches is increasing,” Ms. Gupta said. “There is a need for a strategic approach so that companies will understand why they could be targeted, what kind of information is of value to adversaries and how companies can protect themselves.”

The event will aim to help business owners learn how to better safeguard information relating to their business, employees and clients, regardless of the size of the company. The affordable cost of $25 will make it accessible to small businesses, Ms. Gupta said. The summit is intended for businesses of all sizes: Large, mid-size and small, she said.

Attendees will learn about and discuss essential information for a company to protect themselves against cyber-attacks, including:

  • Creating a strategic business protection plan
  • Identifying current and future cyber risks
  • Protecting employee and client data
  • Protecting money and transactions
  • What to do if attacked (i.e., creating an incident response preparedness plan)

“Businesses have vital information to protect,” Ms. Gupta said. “Sixty-nine percent handle sensitive information, including customer data; 49% have financial records and reports; 23% have their own intellectual property; and 18% handle intellectual property belonging to others outside of the company.”

Find out about the impact of information security on revenue, customers, costs and reputation.

“This event is a great way to reach out to local business owners within our community to educate and create awareness for current security issues,” said Greg Kyrytschenko, adjunct professor of computer science and information technology at SHU and associate director of its graduate master’s program in cybersecurity. “The summit is a great opportunity to create a better partnership at the local level and to help businesses avoid the common pitfalls when responding to security risks.”

Who should attend?

  • Business owners and their leadership teams who want to know if their security programs are effectively protecting their business;
  • Business leaders who want to learn more about protecting their business from breaches, cyber criminals, fraud and related risks;
  • Accountants, lawyers and others who consult with business owners (continuing education credit is available);
  • Employees who are responsible for data security.

Gartner Inc., a leading information technology research and advisory company, based in Stamford, predicts that 80% of companies will be reporting on risk and security to their boards by 2014.

What will attendees learn?

  • How do cyber-security threats relate to your business, and what you need to do about them;
  • How to protect private data of your business, your employees, and your clients;
  • How to use your PC, Smartphone, tablet and other devices to run your business in a secure way;
  • What is “reasonable security” that businesses need to demonstrate in case of breach;
  • How to create a cyber-attack incident response and data breach plan.

In 2009, President Obama recognized the need to increase education and dialogue about cyber-security. The president issued the cyberspace policy review, which has become the blueprint from which the nation’s cyber-security foundation will transform into a digital infrastructure for the future.

As part of this policy review, the Department of Homeland Security was asked to create an ongoing cybersecurity awareness campaign. Stop.Think.Connect. was created to help Americans understand the risks that come with being online.

To register visit: sacredheart.edu/CTSecuritySummit. Space is limited.

Source: EastonCourier.com