Local businesses seek cyber protection from small business center at UWL | Technology
​COPYRIGHT 2025 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Cyber scams are becoming more advanced, and experts say small businesses are emerging as bigger targets as they expand their digital operations.
The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse Small Business Development Center has stepped up efforts to help local businesses protect themselves from growing cyber threats. The center reports that cybersecurity has become one of the most common issues business owners bring to them for assistance.
“Businesses are just doing more online. And as you do more online, you have to take additional measures to protect your business, protect your customers, protect your information, protect their information,” said Anne Hlavacka, SBDC director.
The center says more business owners are reaching out for help not just with traditional business planning, but for guidance on keeping their digital information protected. As new technology advances quickly, many small businesses struggle to keep pace with the digital world while maintaining security.
For some business sectors, the stakes feel particularly high. Tax professionals handle some of the most confidential information available, making them especially vulnerable targets.
“We’re working with taxpayers’ Social Security numbers, their income tax forms, Social Security cards. So data breach from any of that would just be a major loss of downfall and damage to the reputation of the business,” said Yolanda Manning-Joyce, a local business owner and tax professional.
Manning-Joyce credits the UWL Small Business Development Center with providing crucial support.
“They also help you with your business plan and ensure that your data is secure, because with any business, you’re going to be helping customers,” she said.
Despite the mounting risks, SBDC leaders emphasize that technology can still benefit businesses when owners understand the associated challenges and take proper precautions.
“I think just like all things, technology can create a lot of good for businesses. We don’t really want to shy away from it because we know that it can be a good thing for business. But at the same time, we do have to learn new things. We have to become educated about where the risks are,” Hlavacka said.
The SBDC offers free consulting services to help small businesses develop the tools and knowledge needed to protect their data from cyber threats. Business owners interested in cybersecurity assistance can contact the center for guidance on implementing protective measures.
​COPYRIGHT 2025 BY NEWS 8 NOW/NEWS 8000. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
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