Cyber Champion Emerges For Small Businesses

WASHINGTON, March 8, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Small businesses, who account for a large proportion of U.S. economic activity, are particularly vulnerable to the risks posed by cybersecurity threats regardless of business type. The National Cybersecurity Society (NCSS), a newly established national nonprofit organization, provides cybersecurity education, threat awareness, and best practices for thwarting attacks for the small business community which has seen that 60 percent of small businesses fail within 6 months of a cyber attack.¹

The NCSS's mission is to empower small businesses to be safer online and to reduce the potential cyber incidents they face by providing access to resources to better secure their operations.  

The NCSS has developed an assessment to measure small business cyber risk, called NCSS CARES – the first step small businesses can take to improve their security and resiliency.

Mary Ellen Seale, NCSS founder and Chief Executive Officer, saw firsthand as former Deputy Director of the National Cybersecurity Center, Department of Homeland Security, the devastating effects cyber attacks have on businesses of any size. Seale recognized the dangers faced by the under-served small business community and realized that national leadership and action was needed to address this threat to the U.S. economy.

A community-based organization, the NCSS represents the best of the cybersecurity community -- technologists, engineers, analysts, cybersecurity professionals -- from the security and IT industry, who understand cyber threats and how to reduce the danger posed to businesses -- and who are determined to help ensure every American can conduct business online safely and securely.

While the focus is on small business – any business can join and become a member, or any individual who is a victim of cyber crime or cyber bullying. The NCSS also provides free online tips, how-to-guides and educational materials for the entire community. For more information, visit us at: nationalcybersecuritysociety.org

ABOUT THE NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY SOCIETY

The National Cybersecurity Society is committed to improving the online safety and security of the small business community through education, awareness, and advocacy. The organization's goal is to enable and empower small and medium businesses to obtain cybersecurity services; assist them in understanding their cyber risk; and advise on the type of protection needed.

¹ Denver Post, "60% of Small Companies that Suffer a Cyber Attack Are out of Business within 6 Months" by Gary Miller, Oct. 24, 2016.

SOURCE The National Cybersecurity Society

Related Links

https://nationalcybersecuritysociety.org