Cybersecurity essentials for small businesses, with Bryant Tow

Comments? Suggestions? Text the show here! As a small business owner, the last thing you want to worry about is a cybersecurity breach that could potentially ruin your business. But what do you do if you've already been attacked and your systems are taken hostage? Do you pay the ransom?Do you ignore them and start again from scratch? Do you find a friendly yet quirky hacker to help you take the thieves down like in the movies?What can you do to protect your data and save your company? In today's episode, our guest Bryant Tow and I discuss the importance of cybersecurity, how to respond if your systems are compromised, and steps you can take to safeguard your business from cyber threats. Bryant is the Chief Security Officer at Leapfrog Services. For over 25 years, Bryant has held responsibilities as an entrepreneur and senior executive in all aspects of risk management, including thought leadership in cyber security, award-winning development of security solutions, and managing large global cyber and physical security teams. He has also held executive leadership positions in multinational consulting firms and has been involved in several startups. Recently, he was the Chief Security Officer for CSC’s Financial Services Group and was responsible for securing 143 applications in 52 countries.Bryant’s leadership positions across the security industry include the Department of Homeland Security Sector Coordinating Council, ISSA, and ISACA, and as a board member and vice president of InfraGard National Members Alliance. He is recognized as a Distinguished Fellow by the Ponemon Institute, the industry’s leading research organization.He has also published several books and articles on cybersecurity topics and has received several awards, including the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security Award for Exceptional Contribution in Recognition of Outstanding Support of Tennessee’s Counter Terrorism Program.We discuss:02:00 The sources of cybersecurity breaches in small businesses are almost always found within their processes and policies 06:03 Preparing for Cyber Extinction: The Incident Response Process12:52 Why small businesses need to have set Incident Response Plans in place14:31 How to create a Cybersecurity Plan for your small business18:57 Should a company under attack pay or not pay ransomware? 22:53 The importance of having "backdoors" set to ensure your company's cybersecurity 25:34 Weak admin passwords are often the reason or "smoking gun" for security breaches 27:04 The benefits - and pitfalls - of password managers34:10 Immediate and Actionable steps to take to build a strong cybersecurity foundation39:14 How understanding your business needs and processes can save you money on cybersecurity investmentsResources:Bryant G. Tow, Chief Security Officer, Author, and Speaker of Leapfrog Services:https://leapfrogservices.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryanttow/Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/leapfrogservices/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LeapfrogServicesEmail:[email protected] Svetina, Fractional CFO:https://www.newcastlefinance.us/Blog post | Cybersecurity Essentials for Small Businesseshttps://www.newcastlefinance.us/post/cybersecurity-essentials-for-small-businessesIs your growth causing financial headaches? Sales up, but profits lagging? Financial practices stuck in entry level mode?Don't worry, it's not you—it's your financial setup.Introducing NextGen Finance Blueprint by NewCastle Finance. This CFO-led roadmap: • Brings fuzzy finances into focus • Gives you a clear money picture • Creates a step-by-step action planReady to level up? Visit newcastle.finance/blueprint