OLEAN — The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation (CRCF) is set to host its inaugural Link and Learn seminar of 2025, “Cybersecurity for Nonprofit and Small Business,” on March 24 at 9 a.m. in The Hub. This free, educational session is open to nonprofit staff, volunteers, and small business owners, providing valuable insights into best practices for protecting businesses against cyber threats.

New this year, the session will be open to the small business community as well. The seminar will feature cybersecurity and IT experts, including Jim Finch, president and owner of Acme Business; Dominic Rogers, vice president and director of information technology at Cutco Corporation; and Patrick Rost, founder of InfoSecurity Blueprint, LLC.

Meet the Experts

Jim Finch, with over two decades of experience in IT and cybersecurity, holds a bevy of professional certifications. As the president and owner of Acme Business in Olean, Finch has led his company in providing strategic IT management and cybersecurity solutions for businesses in the region.

Dominic Rogers brings extensive IT leadership experience as the vice president and director of information technology at Cutco. A native of Olean, Rogers has worked at Cutco for over 30 years, starting as an intern and progressing through various IT roles. He holds degrees from Jamestown Community College, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and St. Bonaventure University, where he earned his Master’s in Professional Leadership.

Patrick Rost has over 13 years of experience in technology and cybersecurity consulting. InfoSecurity Blueprint, LLC focuses on helping businesses protect sensitive information and maintain customer trust. Rost is also a dedicated community leader, serving as a volunteer firefighter and a member of several advisory boards.

Key Topics and Practical Applications

In this session, our cybersecurity and IT experts will discuss how you can keep your business practices in line with the ever-changing cybersecurity best practices. Learn more about how you can protect yourself, your office, and your business from phishing scams, social engineering attacks, and more.

Tired of password and authentication security? Our experts will discuss industry best practices and get into the “why” of multi-factor authentications. Learn how to better protect your data and your clients’ sensitive information. The goal of this session is to help you be better prepared and informed so that you can focus less on your tech and more on your mission, your people, your services, and your community impact.

“Cybersecurity is an ever-changing landscape, and businesses must stay proactive to protect themselves,” said Kirk Windus, CRCF executive director. “This seminar will provide practical guidance on securing IT infrastructures, minimizing risk, and maintaining operational resilience.”

— Kirk Windus, CRCF Executive Director

Recent developments in cybersecurity have highlighted the importance of staying ahead of emerging threats. For instance, the SolarWinds hack in 2020 underscored the vulnerabilities that even large corporations face. For small businesses and nonprofits, the stakes are even higher due to limited resources and expertise.

The seminar will delve into real-world examples and case studies, such as the Equifax data breach, to illustrate the importance of robust cybersecurity measures. Participants will gain practical insights into implementing multi-factor authentication, conducting regular security audits, and developing incident response plans.

Counterarguments often arise regarding the cost and complexity of implementing advanced cybersecurity measures. However, the experts will address these concerns by highlighting cost-effective solutions and the long-term benefits of investing in cybersecurity. For example, the cost of a data breach can far outweigh the initial investment in security measures, as evidenced by the average cost of a data breach in the U.S., which was $9.44 million in 2022, according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach Report.

Expanding the Reach

The Link and Learn Seminar Series began as a way for CRCF to build the capacity of area nonprofits through education. According to Windus, the decision to open attendance to the small business community was an easy one.

“We know that often times our nonprofits and small businesses face similar challenges,” he said. “Cybersecurity and IT is one example. For small shops with limited staff, it is difficult to stay on top of the developments in technology, and that is true in both the for-profit and the for-purpose sector.”

— Kirk Windus, CRCF Executive Director

The Hub is located on the fourth floor of the Laine Place building at 301 N. Union St. in Olean. Individuals can register for the seminar by contacting Tyler Veno at tyler@cattfoundation.org.

What is the purpose of the CRCF’s cybersecurity seminar?

The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation (CRCF) is hosting a cybersecurity seminar titled “Cybersecurity for Nonprofit and Small Business.” This event aims to educate nonprofit staff, volunteers, and small business owners on best practices for protecting against cyber threats. The session features cybersecurity and IT experts and comes with the objective of helping participants safeguard their missions by understanding and implementing robust cybersecurity measures.

Who are the experts presenting at the seminar?

The seminar features three notable experts in the field of cybersecurity:

• Jim Finch: President and owner of Acme Business with over two decades of experience in IT and cybersecurity.
• Dominic Rogers: vice President and Director of Details Technology at Cutco with extensive IT leadership experience and education from various universities.
• Patrick Rost: Founder of InfoSecurity Blueprint, LLC with 13 years of experience in technology and cybersecurity consulting. He is also a known community leader.

Why is cybersecurity especially vital for nonprofits and small businesses?

Nonprofits and small businesses frequently enough have limited resources and expertise, making them more vulnerable to cyber threats. High-profile breaches like the SolarWinds hack have shown that vulnerabilities exist even in large corporations, and small organizations need to be proactive in defending themselves. The CRCF seminar emphasizes practical guidance on securing IT infrastructures, reducing risk, and ensuring operational resilience.

What are some key topics that will be discussed during the seminar?

The session will cover several critical aspects of cybersecurity:

1. Phishing scams and social engineering attacks
2. Multi-factor authentication: the “why” behind its importance and best practices.
3. Real-world examples like the Equifax data breach to demonstrate the need for robust security measures
4. Practical applications, such as security audits and incident response plans.

How can small businesses and nonprofits manage cybersecurity costs?

While implementing advanced cybersecurity measures might seem costly and complex,the seminar will address these concerns by focusing on cost-effective solutions.Investing in cybersecurity can significantly reduce the financial impact of data breaches,which cost an average of $9.44 million in the U.S. in 2022, according to IBM’s Cost of a Data Breach report.

When and where is the seminar held?

The seminar will take place on March 24, 2025, at 9 a.m. at The Hub, located on the fourth floor of the Laine Place building at 301 N.Union St., Olean.Interested participants can register by contacting Tyler Veno at tyler@cattfoundation.org.

Who can attend the CRCF seminar?

This free event is open to nonprofit staff, volunteers, and small business owners. Initially a program aimed at building the capacity of area nonprofits through education, the CRCF has expanded its reach to include the small business community, acknowledging the similar cybersecurity challenges faced by both sectors.