With cybersecurity threats to small businesses on the rise, the West Virginia Small Business Development Center (WV SBDC) announced that all 17 of the organization’s business coaches have completed the North Star Cybersecurity Certification Training Program, according to a press release.

Reports have shown that approximately 43% of cyberattacks target small businesses, with incidents occurring approximately every 11 seconds.

The certification program is designed to educate SBDCs and other Small Business Association (SBA) resource partners on the principles of cybersecurity, including phishing, password security, malware, software updates, data security and privacy, standards and frameworks, cyber insurance, cyber advising and more.

“Cybersecurity is one of the many no-cost coaching service areas that the WV SBDC can assist our small business clients with throughout the lifecycle of their business,” WV SBDC State Director Will Miller said. “We felt it was important to give our coaches this opportunity to further expand their knowledge in this critical area because small businesses often face cybersecurity threats to their customers’ data, and we want our coaches to be properly equipped to offer support for entrepreneurs in preparation for these situations.”