December 31, 2020
IVCC’s Nancy McDonnell presents “Cybersecurity Today.” – PHOTO IVCC
OGLESBY Illinois Valley Community College cybersecurity program coordinator Nancy McDonnell presented “Cybersecurity Today” live via Zoom to about 30 small business owners and staff last month. McDonnell’s presentation, sponsored in partnership with district chambers of commerce, focused on what businesses can do to thwart cyberattack.
“The basic premise is, if it connects to the internet, it can be hacked,” McDonnell warned, adding, “It can be breached if you don’t take precautions.”
Cyberattacks cost businesses an average of $200,000 to $320,000 and 43 percent target small business, she said. However, 60 percent of small businesses have no plan and 60 percent fold within six months of an attack.