Mid-market companies are just as vulnerable to cyberattacks, if not more so, because mid-market companies have smaller budgets and fewer resources to put toward cybersecurity tools and solutions.

Many business leaders believe that cybercriminals just aren’t interested in breaching the mid-market companies’ networks—that mid-market companies have nothing they want. Again, not true. According to Symantec’s latest Internet Security Threat Report, 60% of all targeted attacks were on small- and medium-sized businesses. This was an increase over the previous year. Medium-sized business attacks were up 30%. Cyber security experts predict 2016 will be even worse.

This means that mid-market businesses have a lot to worry about when it comes to cyber crime, and it seems like they are beginning to realize it. A recent survey of the readers of Chief Executive magazine showed that readers’ number one concern is cyber-security.

On March 10th, hackers disrupted the internet hosting provider Staminus Communications’ website for 20 hours, and by the 14th, it was still not accessible. Staminus says that credit card and other personal information were exposed during their data breach. A huge amount of their stolen data was seen online almost immediately after the attack.

As the risks to information and business mount, so does the cost of not taking action to meet those risks, especially in the mid-market. A data breach can sink a business, and the careers of its leaders.

Looking at the risks, the costs of preventing, or responding to, data breaches seem more than justifiable.

Here are 4 things mid-market CEOs should do right now to protect their companies from cyberattacks.

1. Have a data management strategy in place; destroy any data that is no longer being used. Know what data is critical and then establish controls to ensure that data is recoverable and secure.

2. Put in place necessary procedures to prevent a data breach from ever occurring, like getting vps hosting for your website. Minimize human error by making everyone accountable. Know who is in charge of what.

3. Checks should be in place to test cybersecurity. Schedule audits and run random spot-checks to uncover any problems.

4. Implement an incident response process that includes detailed instructions on how to handle all phases of a breach.

Going forward mid-market business leaders must take the same proactive measures that there larger counterparts are to keep their companies’ systems and information safe.


Roundtable

Strategic Planning Workshop

1:00 - 5:00 pm

Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process

Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:

  1. Lack of systematic approach (70%)
  2. Laundry lists without prioritization (68%)
  3. Decisions based on personalities rather than facts and information (65%)

 

Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns.  They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning.  Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process.  This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented.  If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form.  The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.

New York, NY: ​​​Chief Executive's Corporate Citizenship Awards 2017

Women in Leadership Seminar and Peer Discussion

2:00 - 5:00 pm

Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations. 

Limited space available.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $495 will be added to your total.

Golf Outing

10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS

General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.

The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.

To sign up, select this option in your registration form. Additional fee of $295 will be added to your total.