Cyber Security for the Small to Medium Business (SMB) Segment

Aug 16, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365

It should be no surprise that large companies spend enormous amounts to protect themselves from cyber-attacks.
The main reasons are to protect their IP (Intellectual Property), to keep their company and networks from becoming compromised, and to protect the interest of their employees, customers, and shareholders. 

Too often, folks in the SMB segment are most fearful of the cost to recover their data should systems be compromised, like a ransomware attack, for example.
In many cases, however, it’s not the goal of a hacker to just encrypt systems hoping for a reward.
Most times the critical data is backed up and can be recovered.
But, if the IP of a company is lost, then there is long-term risk to survival.  In many cases, foreign countries sponsor cyber terrorism to gain the intellectual property of a company.  

Likewise, stealing personal information opens the door to credit and identity theft.
This type of cyber-attack could be in the form of hijacking critical personal data like Social Security Info and other data to be used against individuals.  

Smaller businesses are not able to afford the same type of security measures that large companies employ, so in many cases, getting information from SMB companies may be substantially easier – even if the payoff is not as much.
Keep in mind that the nation-states and foreign actors have a lot of time, and a lot of patience.
Infiltrating several small businesses could easily be more profitable than hacking one larger company.
So, it’s not a good idea for a smaller company to just “hope for the best”.

   
Trust me.
Your Antivirus Product is not sufficient to stop a cyber-attack.
The “Bad Guys” are not really interested in simply encrypting your computer.
That’s usually a way to extort extra money from you after they have harvested your company’s (and personal) data – which is the real goal.
If I can collect enough information about you, and your company’s IP, then they can certainly use that information in future efforts to harm you.
There are many ways for a hacker to get your information.  

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Do you use your work email account to access personal information like banking or credit card websites?  What about Social media sites?
• Does your mobile phone have a pass code or facial recognition and is it enabled?
• Do you have multi-factor authentication on email, credit card, bank, and social media accounts?
• Does your mobile phone account (Verizon, AT&T, etc) have a PIN Number so that no one have your phone number transferred?
• Is your email filtered, and is your email account backed up?
• Are links in your email filtered through a system that checks for malicious content?
• Is your email monitored so that someone is notified if a forwarding rule is created?
• What if someone from a foreign country log onto your email?
• Do you store sensitive information in your email?

You see, all of these are what we call “threat vectors” and your antivirus program simply has no way to protect you from any event resulting from threats that simply don’t run on your computer!
In fact, access to your computer may not even be necessary.

So, what is a small company to do?
There are several prudent steps that even a small company can take to strengthen their security posture.
Many business insurance companies are including cyber insurance in their policies, but to qualify for this insurance, they are requiring certain protocols be in place.

1. Enable Multi-Factor Authentication on your Microsoft (or Google) accounts so logging into your account becomes much more difficult for an intruder.
2. Monitor the network traffic in your company by a Security Operations Center (SOC).  Data like this is usually sent in “log files” to a system called a “SEIM” (Security Information and Event Management) which is a system used by security analysts so that unusual behavior is detected, and someone is alerted if action is needed.   Analysts match “normal” versus “unusual” behavior and can flag unusual behavior.
3. Have the logs from your company’s firewall monitored by a SIEM / SOC so that if security events occur then action is taken.  Potentially lock your firewall down so that no traffic from foreign countries can even get through.  (This is not foolproof, but it is a great deterrent)
4. Make your Office 365 tenant monitored to make sure your account is not being accessed from offshore, and that email forwarding rules are not created.  (This is a typical attack – to set up forwarding rules in your email so that sensitive email is sent to a hacker, rather than going to your “inbox”)
5. Your Antivirus program should likewise be monitored by a SIEM / SOC.  

The reality is that most of the activity that we want to stop happens when we are not at work.  That’s why having your systems monitored 24×7 is critical.  If a cyber-attack occurs on a weekend, they bad guys would have many uninterrupted hours to do damage.

If you’re concerned about cyber security, want a cyber-security audit, or if your business insurance carrier is requiring these protections to write your policy – please feel free to contact us. 

We would be happy to help!

Soteria Community Development Corporation Works for Their Community

Aug 16, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365

Soteria Community Development Corporation opened its doors over 20 years ago to create opportunities for previously incarcerated individuals to thrive.
Our founder, Jerry Blassingame, wrote the business plan from his prison cell as he watched men get out of prison only to return within a few months.
The mission and vision that Jerry created all those years ago has consistently guided this organization to help thousands of people impacted by our criminal justice system.

Our Reentry Program provides housing, education, employment, affirmation, and advocacy services to men and women for 6-12 months where individuals receive:

• Transitional Housing
• Transportation
• Clothing & Food
• Full Time Employment
• Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling
• Education & Technical Training
• Mentoring
• Devotion & Bible Study
• Financial Literacy Classes

Soteria

Transitional Housing:  SOTERIA HOUSE

Soteria House for Men is a 16-bed transitional home in Travelers Rest and Soteria House for Women is a 16-bed transitional home in Greenville where our interns live while enrolled in our 6–12-month program.
Interns at Soteria House follow a daily schedule that begins with journaling and ends with a family-style meal in the evenings.
Our participants are assigned responsibilities such as driver, cook, and house manager to support one another as they come and go from their job placements within the community.
We have curfews and community service requirements to help men and women establish the structures that support healthy, successful lifestyles as they transition back into society.

Soteria

Social Enterprise:  SOTERIA AT WORK

A social enterprise exists to address social issues rather than focusing primarily on profit.
Soteria At Work is our woodworking shop that uses carpentry to teach job skills to men enrolled in our program – both enhancing the workforce and creating new jobs.
We deconstruct old buildings, reclaim the wood, and create beautiful pieces of furniture – like sliding barn doors and farm tables.  As men reclaim the wood – sanding, building, finishing – they see the same process at work in their own lives as they work through our reentry program.
Things that were discarded become beautiful and full of value.

Unfortunately, our workshop was burned in July when a dumpster outside of our building caught fire, and we lost everything.
We are working diligently to build both a temporary and a permanent workspace so that we can continue to “Reclaim Wood, Reclaim Lives”.

Learn more about our work at SOTERIAATWORK.COM

Affordable Housing:

To further our commitment to community development, Soteria provides affordable housing units for low-moderate income families.
Our (6) 2-Bedroom and (7) 3-Bedroom rentals often become the next step for our program participants once they graduate.

Support Soteria // JOIN US OCT 27!

Soteria has an annual Fundraiser every Fall where we host a community conversation that educates and inspires people both about the realities of reentry and about the power of community.
We also auction art and furniture created by local artisans and men in our Soteria at Work job training program.

This year, our fundraiser will be Oct 27 from 7-9pm at Fluor Field. 

For tickets and details, visit event.gives/Soteria

If you would like to donate, visit our website at SoteriaCDC.org, and select the Donate button.

Soteria

Quick Facts:

In FY 2021, Greenville County was the highest committing county in SC, accounting for 10.1% of the State’s incarcerated population.

Over 700,000 People Are Released from State & Federal Prisons Annually.

• Nearly 60% are unemployed after 1 year.
• 50% are rearrested within 12 months of release.
• 67% are rearrested within 36 months of release.
  Source: National Institute of Justice, US Bureau of Justice Statistics

10 Million Children In The Us Have Had A Parent Incarcerated.

• 70% of them will serve time in prison as well. Source: Pew Charitable Trusts
• Currently 122 legal statutes that directly prevent individuals from obtaining employment.
• Nationwide, 15-17% of post-incarcerated individuals expect to be homeless upon their release, which can lead to other challenges including poor mental and physical health, lack of education and employment opportunities, and strains on family relationships
• Post-incarcerated individuals entering Greenville County, with a lack of education, employment, and housing, contribute and will continue to contribute to Greenville County’s current poverty rate of 12.1%.

Soteria Community Development Corporation Works for Their Community

Aug 16, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365

Soteria Community Development Corporation opened its doors over 20 years ago to create opportunities for previously incarcerated individuals to thrive.  Our founder, Jerry Blassingame, wrote the business plan from his prison cell as he watched men get out of prison only to return within a few months.  The mission and vision that Jerry created all those years ago has consistently guided this organization to help thousands of people impacted by our criminal justice system.

Our Reentry Program provides housing, education, employment, affirmation, and advocacy services to men and women for 6-12 months where individuals receive: 

• Transitional Housing
• Transportation
• Clothing & Food
• Full Time Employment
• Alcohol & Drug Abuse Counseling
• Education & Technical Training
• Mentoring
• Devotion & Bible Study
• Financial Literacy Classes

Soteria

Transitional Housing:  SOTERIA HOUSE

Soteria House for Men is a 16-bed transitional home in Travelers Rest and Soteria House for Women is a 16-bed transitional home in Greenville where our interns live while enrolled in our 6–12-month program. Interns at Soteria House follow a daily schedule that begins with journaling and ends with a family-style meal in the evenings. Our participants are assigned responsibilities such as driver, cook, and house manager to support one another as they come and go from their job placements within the community. We have curfews and community service requirements to help men and women establish the structures that support healthy, successful lifestyles as they transition back into society.

Pickens County Promotes Public Service

Jul 29, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365

In a Council visioning session, Pickens County’s six Council Members outlined the overarching goals to direct county operations. One of those goals is to promote a culture of public service. This has since been an important overarching theme for our county operations and has led to new initiatives to bring new public servants on board, invest in our current employees, and give back to the community through volunteer opportunities. 

Recognizing the importance of providing efficient medical and fire services to our citizens, the Fire Service and EMS departments have been top priorities for County Council this budget year.

To best provide these essential services, new positions have been created for FY 2023 and Pickens County is actively “Hiring Heroes!” With a focus on the unique opportunities provided to first responders in Pickens County, such as the specialized training offered to provide services in our county’s range of natural features from lakes to mountains, new EMS personnel and fire service personnel are joining the team each week until the all new positions are filled.

These first responders are truly community heroes answering calls around the clock to serve our communities. 

Leadership Enhancement Academy for Public Servants

In addition to adding to our number of public servants, Pickens County is also investing in the continuing education of our current employees.

This summer, the Leadership Enhancement Academy for Public Servants (LEAPS), a program designed to help aspiring leaders in public service develop a road map for success, offered opportunities to hone leadership skills and build relationships with coworkers over the span of seven weeks.

The inaugural class of 20 participants representing 15 different county departments learned from both industry professionals and leaders outside of county government. 

Weekly discussions allowed participants to get to know colleagues in other departments and expand their professional network. 

Each participant was paired with a mentor who graduated from the NACo Leadership Academy for optimum leadership growth. Many participants found the information provided informative and the opportunity to get to know colleagues both personally enjoyable and professionally beneficial. Already, the connections made during the course have facilitated opportunities to collaborate and better serve our citizens.

Public Employee Service Corps

The idea of public service does not end when Pickens County employees leave the office or work site. In fact, many of our employees actively volunteer in our community.

Now, thanks to a new collaborative program with the United Way of Pickens County, the Public Employee Service Corps (PESC) allows our county staff a mechanism to volunteer their time after business hours to continue to serve the community. It has also facilitated additional relationship-building opportunities between county staff from a wide variety of departments. Since PESC was established this summer, many employees have volunteered their time as reading buddies for United Way’s Camp iRock, stuffed backpacks with school supplies, and offered outdoor trash and debris removal for medically fragile adults.

The trash and debris removal project arose from a code complaint received by our County’s Environmental Enforcement department. Rather than continue to fine the homeowners for code violations that were clearly beyond their ability to address, the PESC scheduled days and times for volunteers to lend a helping hand to their neighbors. As additional opportunities for service arise, the PESC volunteers will continue to answer the call. 

Through this focus on public service, Pickens County strives to provide effective essential services with the right attitude. Rather than waiting for someone else to come along and fill the gap, our county staff consistently rises to the occasion. As our County Administrator, Ken Roper, often quotes,

“If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”

We are public servants. Whether the job is to respond to an emergency, encourage colleagues as they grow into their leadership potential, or volunteer to meet a need in the community, we feel the call to be everyday heroes and answer that call wholeheartedly. 

United Way of Pickens County: Your Local Resource

Jul 29, 2022 | Staying on Top, UpstateVibe365

United Way of Pickens County’s mission is to mobilize the caring power of Pickens County to improve communities and individual lives in measurable and lasting ways.

We partner with people and organizations from all across the community to fight for the education, financial stability, and basic needs of every person in Pickens County, because we believe that these are the building blocks for a good quality of life. 

Employee Support

If you have employees needing assistance, we’re here to help!

Through United Way, residents in Pickens County have access to resources like 2-1-1, the Tough Times Toolkit, financial coaching, and more. 2-1-1 is a hotline that connects individuals to an operator who can provide free and confidential information on local resources for food, housing, employment, health care counseling, and more. Simply dial 2-1-1 (or 1-866-892-9211).

The Tough Times Toolkit is also a great resource for individuals seeking assistance. It can be downloaded here and contains information on community resources, such as food pantries, legal services, utility assistance, education services, and transportation.

Last, United Way of Pickens County offers free financial coaching. Coaching topics include budgeting and saving, credit reports, goal setting, understanding banks and credit unions, reducing debt, and more. If you know someone who may be interested in our financial coaching programs, please click here to complete an interest form or contact Teresa Nash at tnash@uwpickens.org or 864-850-7094 x106. For additional information about these resources and other resources that are available through United Way of Pickens County, click here.

Get Involved 

Is your company looking for ways to get involved in the community, engage your employees, and achieve your philanthropic or corporate social responsibility goals?  Workplace campaigns and corporate sponsorships are a great way to do that! Running a United Way employee giving campaign within your place of business creates terrific opportunities, not only for our community but for your employees, as well. It gives your organization a common purpose, builds morale, promotes teamwork, and demonstrates your commitment to improving lives. To learn more about workplace campaigns or to discuss our customizable corporate sponsorship packages, contact Lyndy Schonhar at lschonhar@uwpickens.org or 864-850-7094 x100.

If you’d like to find out more information about United Way and our initiatives and opportunities, or if you’d like to give, go to www.uwpickens.org or contact Lyndy Schonhar.