FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 11, 2009

VANCOUVER – May 11, 2009 – A business owner clicked on a link in a message in her email and three days later, her credit card is maxed-out. Getting to her office, she finds her IT manager waiting for her, pulling his hair out in frustration. The company has been hacked, and it’s got consequences for the owner, her company and anyone who has ever done business with them.

How do the hackers get away with this, and what can business owners do to stop them? That’s the topic of “Cyber Security and Your Business: How to Protect Your Customers from Online Threats”, a Better Business Bureau presentation by security expert Vaclav Vincalek happening on May 28 in downtown Vancouver. “

It’s not enough for owners to harden their network and build security into their online applications,” says Vincalek, President of Pacific Coast Information Systems. “In an instant, an employee, partner or customer just surfing the Internet on trusted sites can open up companies to a world of hurt. It’s not just the loss of reputation and regulatory fines companies need to worry about. The immediate loss of revenue from a shut-down in business operations is something that all companies have to learn how to avoid.”

Some of the advice for owners covered in the presentation may seem unorthodox and extreme, but an evolving threat demands strong counter-measures. “Why give your employees Internet access?” Vaclav asks. “Does it meet your business needs? We need to start challenging assumptions that are endangering our companies and provide solutions that businesses can use right now.”

The presentation will include an overview of the following issues:

  • How and why cyber criminals target your business
  • The consequences of a web security breach
  • How effective network security, web security and identity management tools and practices can protect your business assets and your customers' privacy

The Cyber Security and Your Business presentation happens at 150 900 Howe Street, Vancouver, BC, on Thursday, May 28 at 8 am and includes a seminar and Q&A.

To register, call 604.685.7226, Fax 604.681.1544 or Email Susanh@mbc.bbb.org
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