The Unseen Epidemic: How Cybercrime Impacts Small Businesses Every Day in the LA Economy
Oct 16, 2023
SecureTheVillage's Pilot Program Aims to Level the Playing Field for Small Businesses and Nonprofits in a World Where Only Big Business is Prepared
LOS ANGELES - Oct. 16, 2023 - PRLog -- Jay, a regional beer distributor in Los Angeles, was stunned to uncover a cyber breach within his company's system. "For six months, they had been watching our emails, copying our files," Jay recalls. The incident cost him more than $1,000,000. Jay's experience is one of many illustrating a growing epidemic that is hurting the economy of Los Angeles and communities nationwide.
The repercussions of these cyberattacks extend beyond the affected businesses, leaving a trail of lost jobs, reduced services, and permanently altered lives. When local nonprofits shut their doors, vital community services disappear.
If we fail to act, the crisis will grow.
Stan Stahl, PhD, Founder and President of Los Angeles nonprofit SecureTheVillage, notes that small and midsize businesses and nonprofits are particularly susceptible to cybercrime. According to the 2023 Verizon breach report, 5 out of 8 cybersecurity incidents target these smaller organizations, with more than half going out of business within six months, according to the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).
To combat this crisis, SecureTheVillage, has initiated the LA Cybersecure Pilot Program, partially funded by the Center for Internet Security's Alan Paller Laureate Program. The program aims to enhance cybersecurity practices among small organizations, equipping them to better defend against cybercrime.
The LA Cybersecure pilot program adopts a learn-by-doing teams-based approach to education and training, leveraging partnerships with three other nonprofits: Sightline Security, the Cyber Readiness Institute, and the Center for Internet Security.
The program also includes a Business Development Roundtable for IT service providers and MSPs, providing hands-on training and coaching to increase sales and client conversion rates.
Dr. Stahl expressed gratitude for the crucial role played by the Center for Internet Security Alan Paller Laureate Program, considering it a significant stride towards SecureTheVillage's vision of establishing the Los Angeles region as a cybersecurity model for the nation.
Jay's ordeal serves as both a cautionary tale and a rallying cry. It highlights the pressing need to tackle the escalating threat of cybercrime.
As noted above, if we fail to act, the crisis will grow. Organizations are encouraged to visit securethevillage.org to learn more about the LA Cybersecure pilot program and apply.
The Pilot Project Team
SecureTheVillage is a nonprofit on a mission to turn people and organizations into CyberGuardians with the knowledge, skills, and commitment needed to meet the ongoing challenges of cyber crime, cyber privacy, and information security. Founded in 2015, SecureTheVillage was recognized for its cybersecurity leadership by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti in 2018.
Sightline Security: Based in Boston, MA, Sightline Security, a distinguished 501(c)3 nonprofit, envisions a world where nonprofits are fortified with the tools and knowledge to confidently champion cybersecurity. Dedicated to reshaping the narrative, Sightline's KickStart program, based on the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, promotes a culture where cybersecurity best practices are integrated into daily operations.
The Cyber Readiness Institute (CRI) provides free, easy-to-use tools and resources to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) around the world become more secure and resilient. Their mission is to advance the cyber readiness of SMBs to improve the security of global supply chains. CRI emphasizes human behavior and employee education and awareness to create a culture of cyber readiness throughout an organization.
The Center for Internet Security (CIS®) is a community-driven nonprofit making the connected world a safer place by harnessing the power of the global IT community to safeguard public and private organizations against cyber threats.
About the Center for Internet Security Alan Paller Laureate Program
From the Center for Internet Security: The Center for Internet Security launched the Alan Paller Laureate Program in memory of Alan Paller, an innovative leader and trailblazer in the field of cybersecurity. The program will empower U.S.-based nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and individuals who are focused on improving cybersecurity by making cybersecurity controls demonstrably more effective, simpler, and more automated; developing and equipping highly skilled cyber experts; and improving the teaching of cyber defense at every level.
Photos: (Click photo to enlarge)
Source: SecureTheVillage
Read Full Story - The Unseen Epidemic: How Cybercrime Impacts Small Businesses Every Day in the LA Economy | More news from this source
Press release distribution by PRLog
More News
ANA Flights Can Now Be Booked and Paid for Inside WeChat
ANA’s new WeChat mini-program lets customers in China search seats, pay with WeChat Pay and handle changes or refunds without leaving the app. The post ANA Flights Can Now Be Booked and Paid for Inside WeChat appeared first on Business Traveller.
Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights gets a ballet spin in Tokyo as classical dance meets comedy
British choreographer Alastair Marriott never expected to turn his childhood love of Charlie Chaplin films into a full-scale production in Tokyo with the National Ballet of Japan. Ballet is often seen as high art: formal and reserved. Chaplin, by contrast, built his comedy on slapstick and mime. During the pandemic, Marriott, who was developing a new production at the time, decided to revisit City Lights, Chaplin’s 1931 masterpiece. In the film, Chaplin’s character, Little Tramp, falls in love...
Style Edit: Hermès brings its history to the stage in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon
The world of Hermès contains multitudes. Now, there’s a chance for the brand’s fans in Hong Kong to acquaint themselves with its products and its history and philosophy, thanks to a highly original theatrical performance. The spirit of Hermès has grown over nearly two centuries of storied history. From its beginnings in Paris in 1837 as a company making the finest harnesses, saddles and other equipment for horse riders, it has since expanded into luggage and clothing – even pioneering the use...
CHTA ANNOUNCES TASTE OF THE CARIBBEAN 2026 TEAMS
The region’s finest culinary and mixology talent is heading to Barbados. The Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA) today announced the teams competing in Taste of the Caribbean 2026, taking place Nov. 16-19 at Wyndham Sam Lord’s Castle All-Inclusive Resort, where an expanded slate of competitions will raise the bar for the Caribbean’s chefs and bartenders. This year’s competition brings together 15 teams from Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Bonaire, Curaçao, Grenada, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Visit Qatar to Showcase Qatar’s Tourism Offering at World Travel Market London 2026
For the 12th year running, Visit Qatar is set to participate in World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026, taking place from 3–5 November 2026 at ExCeL London, where it will showcase Qatar’s expanding tourism offering to international travel trade professionals, buyers and media.
ELEPHANT & CASTLE’S NEW FOOD HALL ANNOUNCES OPENING DATE
London’s Elephant & Castle is getting a new food and drink destination this November, and there’s plenty to tempt locals through the doors. The Elephant Exchange Food Hall, the latest opening from hospitality group Blend Family, will welcome its first visitors on Thursday 12 November, with a week of special offers to celebrate. Families can enjoy Kids Eat Free throughout the first week, including the weekend, while anyone looking to escape the home office can take advantage of bottomless tea and coffee throughout launch week. Whether it’s a family meal, a catch-up with friends, or a change of scenery for the working day, the new food hall invites the local community to come in and give it a try.
Explore Worldwide launches Epic Black Friday sale with 20% off more than 1,500 departures worldwide
Explore Worldwide has launched its hotly anticipated annual 2026 Black Friday sale, offering travellers 20 percent off more than 1,500 selected departures worldwide for travel throughout 2027. Running from Thursday 19 November until Tuesday 1 December 2026, the sale applies to selected departures travelling between 1 March and 31 December 2027, giving customers the chance to save on adventures across Explore Worldwide’s extensive programme.
The world's next big holiday hotspots? 25 destinations to visit in 2027 - and one British region makes the cut
From Norway's dramatic fjords to a hidden corner of Scotland, these are the 25 destinations tipped for an unforgettable 2027 getaway.
African Bush Camps Creates Memorable Adventures in the Bush for Explorers of All Ages
African Bush Camps, a luxury safari operator with bespoke itineraries across Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe, has long pioneered family safari travel by making authentic African safaris accessible, educational and inspiring for guests of all ages. While many safaris impose strict age restrictions that exclude children, African Bush Camps believes exceptional safaris should be experienced together as a family, with special Experiences designed to be shared across generations.
"Scariest Night Of My Life": 34 Unsettling Small Towns That People Have Stopped In, And These Have Convinced Me NEVER To Visit One With A Population Under 1,000
"We reversed out of there as quickly as we could, screaming and certain that we just stumbled upon something we shouldn’t have." View Entire Post ›
How Does Social Media Influence Travel? Opodo’s New Data Reveals Our Holiday Posting Habits
Leading online travel agent, Opodo - part of eDreams ODIGEO - investigates how social media shapes the way we travel, sharing insights from its latest global poll of 9,000 respondents, including 2,000 from the UK. The data includes what influences us, what we post, how often we use social media while on holiday, and more. Opodo also compares its findings to a similar global poll it conducted in 2024 (poll of 9,000 people, including 2,000 from the UK) to explore how attitudes have evolved.
Ski Safari Expands in Japan With Three New Resorts for Winter 2026/27
UK interest in skiing in Japan has never been higher. Ski Safari’s Japan passenger numbers grew by 32% year on year in winter 2025/26, and are on track to grow by a further 17% for winter 2026/27, while 2026 has also seen record numbers of UK Google searches for skiing in Japan. In response, Ski Safari is expanding its popular Japan programme, adding Madarao, Naeba and Shiga Kogen for winter 2026/27.
YOUR NEWS, OUR NETWORK.
Do you have Great News you want to tell the world?
Be it updates about your business or your community, you can make sure that it’s heard by submitting your story to our network reaching hundreds of news sites across 6 verticals.