June 1, 2015
NEWS
For further information, please contact:
Tim Walsworth, BID Executive Director, 970.375.5068
Pam Glasco, BID Community Relations Coordinator, 970.375.5067
Presenter Ike Barnes, 303.870.2700
BID/Chamber present Cybercrime and Prevention for Small Business
Secret Service representative to provide valuable information on June 15
DURANGO, Colo. – The Durango Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with the Durango Chamber of Commerce, will host “Cybercrime and Prevention for Small Business,” June 15, 2015, 3-4 p.m. at the Pine River Valley Bank, 1701 Main Ave., Durango. Featured presenter is Ike Barnes of the U.S. Secret Service.
“In our increasingly digital world, cybercrime is something we all need to be aware of,” said Tim Walsworth, BID executive director. “The better informed our constituency is, the less vulnerable they’ll be. This presentation emphasizes prevention through preparation, education, and training.”
Barnes, who is Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge, runs the Colorado Electronic Crimes Task Force, one of 38 task forces around the world. Businesses with point of sale (POS) terminals, gas stations, and banks are the primary audience for his presentation, though individuals are invited.
Barnes’ presentation will include discussion of:
§ Trends in cybercrime
§ Criminal motives and techniques
§ No cost methods for thwarting criminals
§ Resources for additional information
An audience Q&A follows the presentation. Some tips for individual citizens will also be offered, but Barnes will focus on business rather than personal cyber security issues.
In a statement, Barnes noted, “We combine the resources of academia; the private sector; and local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to combat computer-based threats to our Nation’s financial payment systems and critical infrastructures, as authorized by the Patriot Act to ‘prevent, detect and investigate various forms of electronic crimes, including potential terrorist attacks against critical infrastructure and financial payment systems.’”
The training is free and open to the public, but reservations are required at www.durangobusiness.org or 970.247.0312. Seating is limited.
Pine River Valley Bank is located at 1701 Main Ave. The training will be held in the upstairs meeting room. Attendees are asked to park on 17th St. by Fassbinder Park to reserve lot parking for bank patrons.
The goal of the Electronic Crimes Task Forces is to establish, promote and continue a robust public/private partnership based on the U.S. Secret Service’s historic strategic alliances with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, private industry and academic institutions in order to respond, confront and suppress cybercrime, malicious uses of cyberspace and threats to cyber security that endanger the integrity of our Nation’s financial payments systems and threats against our Nation’s critical infrastructure.
The Durango Business Improvement District was formed in 1997 with a goal and mission to support businesses within the District by assisting with special event marketing, providing research on topics of concern to the District (facilities, special events, best practices), planning and development of new facilities, and providing capital budget for equipment that enhances business in the District. Funding is generated by a 2 mill levy on property owners within the district, with additional marketing dollars contributed by the City of Durango and Durango Area Tourism Office.
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