Tech Talks – February 2025: Cybersecurity for Small Businesses
- Austin Indian Women In Business
- Feb 9
- 2 min read
Hosted by: Austin Indian Women in Business (AIWB)
📅 Date: Sunday, February 9, 2025
⏰ Time: 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM CST
🎤 Speaker: Vaishali Mahavratayajula, Cybersecurity Expert
Empowering Small Businesses with Cybersecurity Knowledge
AIWB successfully hosted its Tech Talks – February 2025, a cybersecurity-focused webinar featuring Vaishali Mahavratayajula, a seasoned cybersecurity expert with over 10 years of experience in application security and cyber threat protection. The session highlighted critical security threats that small business owners face and provided practical, easy-to-implement strategies to enhance cybersecurity.
Key Takeaways from the Webinar
🚨 Understanding Cybersecurity Risks for Small Businesses
Vaishali emphasized that cybercriminals frequently target small businesses due to weaker security measures. She provided real-world examples of cyberattacks and discussed their potential consequences, including:
Financial losses from fraud, phishing scams, and stolen customer data.
Legal repercussions due to non-compliance with data protection laws.
Operational disruptions from account takeovers, impersonation scams, or website shutdowns.
Reputational damage, leading to loss of customer trust and business credibility.
🔑 Four Major Cybersecurity Tips for Small Businesses
Understand Common Online Threats & How to Stay Safe
Small businesses should identify risks related to online transactions, customer payments, and data storage.
Recognizing potential threats early can prevent major security breaches.
Keep Your Business Safe from Online Scams & Hackers
Cybercriminals use phishing emails, impersonation scams, and malware attacks to target businesses.
Implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) and strong passwords helps prevent unauthorized access.
Avoid Losing Money Due to Cyber Threats
Cyber breaches can lead to direct financial losses, such as stolen funds or fraudulent transactions.
Regularly reviewing and securing payment platforms can protect businesses from fraud.
Learn from an Expert Without Spending a Dime
Vaishali provided actionable, cost-effective security tips that any small business owner can implement for free.
AIWB members will receive exclusive cybersecurity guides and resources for ongoing protection.
🔒 Securing Social Media & Business Platforms
Given the rising incidents of social media impersonation and scams, the webinar also covered:
✅ Securing WhatsApp & Instagram business accounts with two-step verification.
✅ Reviewing connected devices to detect unauthorized logins.
✅ Avoiding suspicious follower requests and comments that could be potential scams.
📌 Next Steps & Action Items for AIWB Members
Vaishali to send a cybersecurity guide covering security tips for Instagram, WhatsApp, and payment platforms.
AIWB members to enable two-step verification on WhatsApp Business accounts.
Review and disconnect unknown devices from their social media and business accounts.
Monitor business accounts for impersonation attempts and suspicious activities.
AIWB to consider security awareness campaigns to educate members about cybersecurity best practices.
Future Tech Talks to cover topics like marketing strategies, AI in business, and fraud prevention.
Final Thoughts: Cybersecurity is Essential for Small Businesses
Cybersecurity is no longer optional—it’s a necessity for small business owners, service providers, and freelancers handling financial data, customer information, and online transactions. AIWB is committed to empowering women entrepreneurs with the knowledge and tools needed to secure their businesses and thrive in the digital economy.
🚀 Stay tuned for more AIWB Tech Talks! If you missed this session, don’t worry—AIWB will be sharing key cybersecurity tips and best practices in upcoming newsletters and webinars!
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