Cyber crime is a lightning fast weapon that takes down governments and businesses around the world. Internet criminals target businesses and private citizens, bringing threats like identity fraud, ransomware, and even devastating viruses. Despite the constant threat, there are ways that businesses and individuals can protect themselves. On Monday, April 11 and Friday, April 15 the Above Board Chamber of Florida will host two luncheons bringing experts to the table to share valuable tips on how to keep from becoming a victim of an internet crime.
James Bryan Caudill-Ritter, Founder and CEO at Pulse Technology Solutions, is one of the panelists who will share his harrowing personal experience with cyber theft and his success at stopping the crime. “I will tell attendees how to avoid a $6 million theft. It happened to me personally,” said Caudill-Ritter, who says someone recently faked his driver’s license and attempted to secure a $6 million business loan. “My point will be talking about proper security and how to detect and defer it. A lot of people in business might not have the right provider that is up to par with the right deterrents.”
A second panelist, Christian Wartchow, CEO and Founder of CyberSecure IT Solutions, will stress the increasing dangers of cyber attacks. “What we are seeing is the spillover effect from the anticipated attackers from Russia on the government and larger businesses,” Wartchow warned. “That spillover is a big thing.” Wartchow adds that it’s becoming even easier for the “bad guys” to get ransomware. “Really it’s about why small businesses are in danger and the financial impact of not having serious protection.”
The first of the Above Board seminars will be held in Naples from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Monday, April 11 at the Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail N. The event will be emceed by Eric Strachan, Editor of Florida Weekly’s Naples and Bonita Springs editions.
Panelists in Naples include:
- James Bryan Caudill-Ritter, founder and CEO at Pulse Technology Solutions. His company has been serving Southwest Florida since 2006, providing IT support such as technical help desk support, computer support, and consulting to small and medium-sized businesses;
- Christian Wartchow, CEO and founder of CyberSecure IT Solutions. Before creating his company, Wartchow was a technology leader with Fortune 500 companies and now brings that expertise to small and medium businesses;
- Patrick Neale, an attorney, civil mediator and arbitrator with Patrick Neale & Associates. He practices law in the areas of foreclosure prevention and defense, bankruptcy, land use, contractor, real estate, zoning and administrative law and
- Sgt. Brian Sawyer, a member of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office for more than 20 years. He currently works in the Community Engagement Division and is a Hostage Negotiator but spent most of his career as a supervisor in the Detective Bureau, including the fraud/identity theft unit.
The Naples luncheon is sponsored by Caudill-Ritter and Wartchow. The featured non-profit is Howard Isaacson, CEO of Emmanuel Communities.
The Fort Myers seminar will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 15, at the Crowne Plaza Bell Tower, at 13950 Bell Tower Dr. The emcee will be Dave Elias, Chief Political Correspondent for NBC 2 News.
Caudill-Ritter and Neale will also be part of the Fort Myers panel. They will be joined by:
- Kelly Hickok, an investigator with the Economic Crimes Unit for the State Attorney’s Office of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit. Hickok has spent thirty-one years as a State of Florida Law Enforcement Officer and over half of that career as an instructor and educator and
- John Schlager CEO & Co-Founder of Inceptus, a results-driven visionary that harbors a passion to innovate, create and build innovative business risk and cybersecurity solutions.
Fort Myers event sponsors include Caudill-Ritter and Brett Turner, Owner of Leapin’ Lawns, a family-owned lawn maintenance and landscaping business. The featured non-profit is Trish Fancher, Executive Director of Keep Lee County Beautiful.
Registration is now open for both luncheons at AboveBoardChamber.com or by calling Above Board Chamber CEO Jeanne Sweeney at 239-910-7426.
Please purchase tickets for the Naples event by Thursday, April 7 or for the Fort Myers event by Monday April 11. Registration for either event is $40 for members and $45 for non-members. In appreciation for the catering staff, please RSVP by the dates above.
About The Above Board Chamber of Florida
The Above Board Chamber of Florida is dedicated to bringing people of all faiths together within the community, in the workplace and amongst one another. Their mission is to supply members with tools that allow them to take every aspect of their lives Above Board. For more information on the event or on how to become a member of the chamber, call Sweeney at 239-910-7426 or visit AboveBoardChamber.com.
