The Importance of Cybersecurity for Small Business

As many businesses have shifted to using more technology in recent years, the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce wants to encourage employers and employees to review their cyber security. With over 1,800 member companies that employ more than 100,000 people the Edmonton Chamber wants to ensure you have the knowledge to protect your business, customers and avoid unexpected costs and harm to your organization’s reputation.

How Does Cybercrime Impact Businesses in Canada?

According to Statistics Canada, 18% of Canadian businesses were impacted by cyber security incidents in 2021. Despite this, 47% of Canadian small businesses do not allocate any of their budget to cyber security. Because of incidents such as breaches of data confidentiality, extortion, and technology disruptions, businesses across Canada have experienced over $600 million in losses since January 2021.

Why Should a Small Business Care?

When we hear about cyber-attacks, it often relates to a friend or large business, but this affects small businesses too. You may think that a smaller business doesn’t have anything to attract a cyber-criminal, but according to an article written for the Canadian Chamber of Commerce by Microsoft, cybercriminals “typically look to exploit organizations with minimal security controls because [it’s] cheap and easy for them.”

What is Cybercrime?

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business defines cybercrime as “any criminal offence that involves a computer or the Internet as either the target of a crime or as the means used to commit a crime.”

How Can an Organization Protect Itself?

Although taking measures to protect your organization against cyber-attacks can be overwhelming and seem expensive, the Canadian Chamber of Commerce suggests that taking basic measures to improve your security hygiene can protect your business against 98% of cyber-attacks.

Everyone’s cybersecurity journey is different, so decide which measures are best for you and your business. The first, most basic step that you can take is to improve your knowledge of fundamental cyber security concepts. From there, you might choose to improve your business’ cybersecurity which, in turn, helps protect every other business in your value chain. Some measures that many experts suggest include:

• Keeping your device up to date,

• Installing antivirus and malware defences,

• Backing up important data,

• Ensuring strong authentication measures,

• Developing an incident response plan, and

• Training your employees.

Share your thoughts on business issues with the Edmonton Chamber at policy@edmontonchamber.com

Regardless of the size of your business, taking the appropriate steps to keep your customers and business safe from cyberattacks is important to protect the privacy of yourself, your staff, and your customers, avoid unexpected costs and avoid harm to your organization’s reputation.

Confetti Sweets

Member Profile

Kathy Leskow, Chief Cookie Eating Officer www.confettisweets.ca

What’s your story?

I was a stay-at-home mom with a sweet tooth and big ambitions!

I left my corporate job working in the hospitality industry to stay home with my kids when they were little. As awesome as that was, I found myself needing to do something more. I loved baking cookies and decided to try something new and sell them at my local farmer’s market.

I looked forward to my weekly market night out, and I enjoyed my side gig. But that wasn’t enough, so I expanded to a few more markets. Soon my home oven, mixer and pans couldn’t keep up with the new demand, so I sought out commercial equipment. Before I knew it, I was running a fully functional, health board-certified bakery out of my home.

Within a few years, my business expanded again: I secured a storefront for Confetti Sweets in Sherwood Park in 2014. Since then, we have expanded into more than just cookies, and have also started selling into grocery stores across the province.

I am no longer found scooping cookie dough but am instead working on growing the business and seizing all opportunities that come my way. I can honestly say this is my dream job. It also helps to get to work every day with an amazing team. They make “work” fun!

When I’m not working, you may find me glamping with my spouse Mike and my three beautiful children, drinking fine wine and eating cookies, of course!

What do you enjoy most about being a member of the Edmonton Chamber of Commerce?

I love getting the Chamber newsletter and finding out what is happening in and around the city! It always showcases cool things to do on a weekend, as well as the business side of events.

The many learning opportunities the Chamber hosts are truly invaluable and makes for a stronger community here in Edmonton. Getting to learn from other members and having a resource to turn to when needed is also awesome.

cakes, cupcakes, scones, squares and more on our menu alongside the many items we carry in our Confetti Collective!

Right before the pandemic hit, we expanded our space to triple its size with plans to offer a seating area and cafe. While this was a tumultuous time for many small business owners alike, we decided to pivot from our original idea and began what is known today as Confetti Collective! COVID meant that a lot of our favorite local brands could no longer sell their products at the farmers markets while things were shut down. So, we invited our friends to join us and sell their goodies in our space throughout the pandemic. It has been such a hit that to this day, we dedicate the entire front end of our storefront to showcasing over 75 local and Canadian made brands that Edmontonians know and love!

What has been your biggest challenge in business, and how did you overcome it? Knowing when and where to expand has always been a challenge. I like to dream big (I always tease that I want to achieve World Cookie Domination), but I have learnt that bigger is not always better. Sometimes it simply amounts to more stress and a heavier cash flow crunch.

At one time I did have a second location, it was fun and exciting, and it was awesome to get our cookies into the hands of new customers. But as time went on, I wasn’t getting to the second store as much as I wanted, and my focus was on other projects. We eventually formed a partnership with another bakery who took over the space and it was a win-win for us both!

When I have big ideas and want to jump in with both feet, I really think about whether it is going to increase my bottom line. Now, I am way more experienced, and when I take another leap, it will be more methodical.