FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/27/17
Statewide cyber security tool aims to help Iowa small businesses
America’s SBDC Iowa debuts free cyber security risk assessment tool businesses to evaluate level of risk

AMES, Iowa – America’s SBDC Iowa (SBDC) is pleased to announce its new tool to help small businesses evaluate their cyber security risk. IowaCyber.com allows small businesses to take a free assessment to help them understand their risk of a cyber threat.

IowaCyber.com allows individuals to choose from three difference online assessments. These three assessments are Cyber Security 101, Cyber Security for Government Contractors, and Cyber Security for International Travel and Business. At the conclusion of each assessment, the individual receives a risk assessment report. After receiving the report, participants can find a variety of additional resources such as, webinars, best practices, and industry articles. The information on the website is targeted to small business owners and employees who are non-technical. Each of the assessments takes between 10 and 30 minutes to complete. Visit www.iowacyber.com to take the free assessments.

“We are very excited to be able to offer this resource to Iowa small business owners. It is important for small business owners to be aware of the variety of cyber threats out there and learn ways to help reduce their risk of a cyber attack,” said Lisa Shimkat, State Director for America’s SBDC Iowa.

In addition to the IowaCyber website, America’s SBDC Iowa has published a workbook for small businesses to learn more about cyber security helps lay out a plan for where to start on cyber security initiatives. Copies of the workbook are available for download at www.iowasbdc.org/cyber-security.

America’s SBDC Iowa is an outreach program of Iowa State University’s College of Business and the Office of Economic Development and Industry Relations. Iowa State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, ethnicity, religion, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity, 3410 Beardshear Hall, 515 Morrill Road, Ames, Iowa 50011, Tel. 515-294-7612, email eooffice@iastate.edu.

Funded in part through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration, America’s SBDC Iowa has 15 regional assistance centers located strategically across the state. Since program inception in 1981, the SBDC has helped Iowa businesses and entrepreneurs through no fee, confidential, customized, professional business counseling and practical, affordable training workshops.

For more information on America’s SBDC Iowa programs or services, call (515) 294-2030 or visit www.iowasbdc.org, https://www.facebook.com/AmericasSBDCIowa, or https://twitter.com/IowaSBDC.

Press Contacts:
Tricia Janes, America’s SBDC Iowa, 515-294-2030, triciaj@iastate.edu
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