Cybersecurity expert warns Lake Chamber: “It’s survival, not optional”

Vance Burkett, CEO of The Pixel Shield, gave a presentation to the Lake Township Chamber of Commerce during its MorningCONNECTIONS event at Consumers National Bank on Wednesday, Sept. 3.

Burkett shared practical information about how to protect data online, whether for personal use or small business. While some of the details were sobering, he kept the audience engaged with humor.

“Cybersecurity is not optional, it’s a means of survival,” Burkett said. He encouraged attendees to view cybersecurity as an investment, noting that prevention costs are less than recovering from an attack. Strong protection, he added, builds customer trust, safeguards a business’ reputation, and keeps operations compliant and competitive.

Burkett recommended low-cost protection tools such as password managers like Bitwarden, LastPass and 1Password, and multi-factor authentication apps such as Google Authenticator and Microsoft Authenticator. He also emphasized the importance of automatic updates.

Among best practices, he advised using strong, unique passwords with MFA, keeping software and devices updated, installing firewalls and antivirus software, training employees on phishing awareness, regularly backing up data through the cloud or online, and limiting employee access to only the data they need.

Burkett noted that threats continue to evolve as hackers develop more sophisticated ways to exploit vulnerabilities. Ransomware, phishing and data breaches are the most common attacks. As reliance on digital tools grows, so do the risks.

He cautioned that no one is immune and said it takes only five words for artificial intelligence to mimic a voice, a concern when answering unknown phone calls. Amazon, he said, faces an estimated 8 million hacking attempts per month, and AI-driven phishing has surged. Human error, such as weak passwords or accidental downloads, accounts for about 95% of breaches.

“The bottom line is that all must protect their information and look out for those who are most vulnerable, which is everyone,” Burkett said.

He closed by stressing the importance of proactive action: “Cybersecurity is essential for protecting sensitive data, systems and networks from cyber threats. With the increasing number of cyberattacks, businesses and individuals alike must take proactive steps to safeguard their digital assets. Effective cybersecurity ensures the confidentiality, integrity and availability of information, minimizing risks and vulnerabilities.”

The Pixel Shield provides IT services for businesses and residential clients in Hartville and surrounding areas, including VoIP phone systems, computer repair, and security camera installations. The company also offers mobile service and technology solutions tailored to evolving needs. For more information, visit www.thepixelshield.com or call 330-778-2888.