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CHEYENNE – To motivate Wyoming business owners to become cyber secure, the Wyoming Business Report and Made Safe in Wyoming are sponsoring the 2018 Cybersecurity Competition. The competition kicks off Feb. 12 and concludes in the fall of 2018 with the annual Wyoming Business Report’s Cybersecurity Symposium.

Made Safe in Wyoming is a nonprofit organization that helps business owners develop and implement best practices to become cyber secure through partnerships with Wyoming technology companies, law firms, insurance companies, education, and more.

The top three business winners will earn a speaking engagement at the Wyoming Cybersecurity Symposium; the use of the Made Safe in Wyoming logo and marketing materials to show their customers they meet best practices in cybersecurity; recognition statewide via press releases, an article on Made Safe in Wyoming’s and the Wyoming Business Report’s website; a promotional video outlining the business’ successful efforts to meet best practices in cybersecurity; and follow-up articles about cybersecurity in the Wyoming Business Report. However, all businesses that participate in the competition will be recognized at the Cybersecurity Symposium, on the two websites, and in a statewide press release.

“This competition takes on a new, positive role. With this competition, we are motivating business owners and recognizing them for their efforts to meet best practices in cybersecurity,” said Abbey Palma, events director at the Wyoming Business Report.

There is no fee to enter the competition; however, some investments may need to be made, for instance, in technical infrastructure, policy writing, or cyberliability insurance. As part of the competition and to create a baseline for the judges, Made Safe in Wyoming is offering their cybersecurity business checklist consultation for free to all participants.

“We don’t actually sell hardware or software and we don’t sell insurance or legal services related to cybersecurity,” said Patrick Wolfinbarger, co-founder of Made Safe in Wyoming and a regular contributor to the Wyoming Business Report. “Since we are a nonprofit organization, we consider ourselves a non-biased third party to provide tailored advice on the cyber risks small businesses can avoid. “ Wolfinbarger said there are some things small businesses can do in-house and others about which they may need to consult an expert. “But it is a fallacy that it is going to cost more than purchasing home-use equipment at a box store,” he said.

To participate in the competition, business owners or managers should contact [email protected] to get a copy of the intent to participate and make an appointment to discuss how to become cyber secure.

Made Safe in Wyoming is responsible for monitoring efforts to meet best practices and helping the business owners document their progress. The final step is submitting the documentation to the judges, chosen by Wyoming Business Report staff.

“Right now, we are approaching judges from many economic development agencies statewide. We want a diverse set of judges who know business,” said Palma.

“Can you imagine what would happen to Wyoming’s economy if we could prove that our businesses are the most cyber secure state in the nation?” Wolfinbarger said. “We already have low corporate taxes, a business-friendly environment, and the broadband ring – add in stability, security, and a good reputation for all our small business owners and we have an amazing selling point for new commerce in our state.”

The competition is also a response to a call for enhanced cybersecurity practices in the state made by Gov. Matt Mead at the Wyoming Broadband Summit in October 2017. “For all of you in business, I encourage you to help us find solutions on cybersecurity,” Mead told the summit. “If we improve speed, if we improve capacity and we don’t take care of cybersecurity, we’re just creating a lot of problems.”