{"id":9277,"date":"2021-03-16T18:39:32","date_gmt":"2021-03-16T18:39:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.investupmi.com\/?p=9277"},"modified":"2021-05-25T15:23:01","modified_gmt":"2021-05-25T15:23:01","slug":"while-the-u-p-serves-as-a-safe-haven-for-its-residents-businesses-face-the-same-cyber-risks-as-the-rest-of-the-nation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.investupmi.com\/index.php\/2021\/03\/16\/while-the-u-p-serves-as-a-safe-haven-for-its-residents-businesses-face-the-same-cyber-risks-as-the-rest-of-the-nation\/","title":{"rendered":"While the U.P. serves as a safe haven for its residents, businesses face the same cyber risks as the rest of the nation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Did you know that there is a proven correlation between emotionally charged events and increases in cyberattacks?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Following a year of dramatic elections, social movements and a tough pandemic, it is no surprise to cybersecurity experts that over 36 billion records were exposed to data breaches during the first half of 2020. Several U.P. businesses, municipalities, hospitals and nonprofits were included among those records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The lifestyle benefits of living in Michigan\u2019s Upper Peninsula–safe neighborhoods, friendly neighbors, extremely low crime rates, close communities, and the pureness of the landscape–keep the people who live here separated from the world outside. It\u2019s easy for Yoopers to feel complacent and safe, but businesses across the region are turning their attention to cybersecurity to protect their livelihoods against bad actors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Toward the end of last year, InvestUP<\/a> and Northern Michigan University<\/a> (NMU) attracted Northcross Group<\/a> (NCG) to use Marquette as a new office location and a feeder for new talent development. The engagement started with an academic partnership between NMU and NCG.  The academic partnership features an internship program for Northern students, cybersecurity awareness and collaboration in advancing skill development for digital economy careers, such as security and risk management, throughout the U.P. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to bringing jobs to the region, the company\u2019s President, Chris Bender, has looked to build relationships with the local business community, offering his advice to other businesses to prepare and protect themselves against attacks. Bender says, \u201cCybersecurity is not something any business can leave to chance\u2014no matter its size or industry.\u201d He continued, \u201cTechnology is such an intricate part of the economy and how we interact with others. A strong understanding of the risks that apply to your business is essential.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bender offers three pieces of advice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Every business, no matter the type or size, should take cybersecurity seriously.<\/strong> \n
    Every<\/em> business relies on technology in some capacity. This means that every<\/em> business is vulnerable to an attack. Cybersecurity is fundamental to any business structure and should be treated in the same manner as things like accounting, legal and HR.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n
    1. Understand how your business operates in the digital space.<\/strong>\n
      The first step to protecting your business is understanding what you need and how your business will operate digitally. Start by answering questions like:\n