As cybercrime rises, professionals offer support for community

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Cybercrime is up 600% thanks to the pandemic, according to the World Economic Forum. That's why the National Cyber Security Center and Pikes Peak Small Business Development Center have joined together to help people get the support they need be protected online.

On Tuesday, twenty-minute time slots were offered for one-on-one education regarding things like passwords, ransomware attacks, and making sure security features were up to date. Organizers say providing an event like this for the community is crucial.

"Every single person that we can help prevent from a cyber attack, whether it be government, business, or individual, ultimately saves us money, but it also helps us be a stronger, more resilient community," said Forrest Senti, Vice President of Programs and Operations for the National Cyber Security Center.

Many small business owners took advantage of the sessions, hoping to better protect their workplace and personal information.

For those who missed the event but would like resources on how to stay safe online, head to cyber-center.org.

The NCC and SBDC hope to hold another device hygiene check for the community in the future.