WESTGATE@CRANE Technology PARK (Odon), Indiana – With the recent SolarWinds cyberattack that impacted federal and state agencies and several large businesses, concern has risen about the potential for debilitating attacks on businesses of all sizes. With fewer resources than larger companies and organizations, small businesses represent a particularly vulnerable category. Recent SBA research showed that 88 percent of the small businesses surveyed actively worry about their vulnerability to a damaging cybersecurity attack.
To address these issues, Smithville and RTC Communications have partnered with Purdue@WestGate, assembling a panel of cybersecurity experts to conduct a free online webinar on January 20. The panel discussion will be led by national cyber leader Robert Templeman, Ph.D., a NAVSEA Distinguished Engineer for Cybersecurity at NSWC Crane. Panelists will present best practices, precautions, and safety measures for businesses. In addition to Dr. Templeman, expert participants include:
- Apu Kapadia, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Indiana University, Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering
- Douglas Rapp, CISM, Purdue University, Director of Cybersecurity Outreach
- Gabe Levy, Smithville’s Director of Information Security, an attorney who also holds a Master of Science degree in Cybersecurity Risk Management from Indiana University
- Brett Gilsinger, RTC Communications’ Chief Technology Officer
The 60-minute webinar will cover cybersecurity basics and present specific information about risks and threats, as well as best practices and measures that businesses and organizations can use to minimize potential threats, according to Cullen McCarty, executive vice president of Smithville.
“In this era of large-scale cyberattacks, businesses and organizations of all sizes need to consider how to protect themselves and those they serve,” said McCarty. “Given our extensive experience with the WestGate@Crane Technology Park and commercial businesses, we are pleased to be able to partner with the Purdue Research Foundation and RTC Communications to present this critical information.”
The free webinar will take place from 11 a.m. to noon on January 20. Participants can register on the Eventbrite service at this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cybersecurity-basics-for-businesses-tickets-132852977833?fbclid=IwAR3uvq5sRPyF7nvZfaVF-WmqZPkv-1IRyBS7Fs9OrndrZ6EcxoAjlCPjq5A
About Smithville
Nationally recognized for more than a decade as a Top 100 Broadband Company, privately owned Smithville is Indiana’s largest independent telecom company with more than 200 employees. As a fifth-generation, family-owned business, Smithville has been committed to delivering fast and reliable connectivity and legendary service to its customers for nearly a century. The company is well-known as an industry leader and community supporter for rural Indiana.
Since the early 1990s, Smithville has constructed more than 2,800 miles of high-speed, high-capacity fiber across more than 17 Indiana counties, representing private investments totaling upward of a quarter of a billion dollars, including the recent completion of a $4.5 million, 100-gigabit fiber ring.
In addition to its residential services, Smithville provides commercial fiber-based connectivity for businesses, university campuses, biotechnology companies, healthcare providers, government offices, residential centers, communities, and other entities, including the WestGate@Crane Technology Park and the Purdue Research Park. The company currently serves about 23,000 businesses and residences in southern and central Indiana. For more information, please visit www.smithville.com.
About RTC Communications
RTC Communications, headquartered in Montgomery, IN, is a Certified Gigabit and Smart Rural Community Provider paving the communication way in Southern Indiana. Since 1949, RTC’s focus has been on serving the internet, entertainment, voice, and business service needs of customer in Daviess, Martin, and Lawrence counties. The company leverages 70+ years of knowledge, intelligence, and expertise to deploy fiber optic and advanced services. RTC customers have access to IntelecynTM Speed, world-class broadband internet riding on the latest optical Fiber To The Home (FTTH) network, which can reach speeds of up to 1 gigabit. Additionally, RTC provides Intelecyn Entertainment, Intelecyn Home, and Intelecyn Business solutions.
RTC is committed to changing lives one connection at a time by connecting Southern Indiana communities and their members to what means most to them!
For more information, please visit www.rtccom.com.
About Purdue@WestGate
Purdue@WestGate is an innovation and technology hub connecting communities, universities, organizations and local government entities to support workforce, entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives. Formed through the partnership of WestGate Authority, Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division (NSWC Crane), Purdue University and Purdue Research Foundation, the initiative combines institutional strengths to advance educational, research and development and technology commercialization across Indiana and beyond. For more information about the resources available to businesses, visit WestGate website.