Message From the Chair: Cybersecurity in the Golden State

By Tangela Terry, Esq.
Law Office of Tangela D. Terry

In February of this year, Attorney General Kamala D. Harris released, “Cybersecurity in the Golden State,” it is a guide designed to educate small businesses on how to protect against cyberattacks and data breaches (link to guide- https://oag.ca.gov/cybersecurity).

Small business owners are using wireless technology and smartphones for their operations more than ever. 98% of small businesses report that they use wireless technology and 85% of small businesses reported using smartphone for their operations. (Cybersecurity in the Golden State citing 2013 AT&T Small Business Technology Poll, AT&T Inc. (as of Jan. 9, 2014). ). While it is important to use these forms of technology, it is equally if not more important to make sure that you safeguard against cyberattacks. The SBA Office of Advocacy reported that in just the first three months of 2013, there were more than one billion cyberattacks (Cybersecurity in the Golden State citing SBA Office of Advocacy, “Advocacy Points out Small Business Concerns Regarding the Preliminary Cybersecurity Framework”, (as of Jan. 9, 2014).

If you are a solo practitioner or run a small to medium sized law firm, I highly recommend that you read the guide. Listed below are practical steps that the authors recommend that you follow to minimize cyber vulnerability.