Many nonprofits lack foundational knowledge in cybersecurity. This workshop will provide clear guidance on low-cost, high-impact measures to help establish a baseline. Participants will stay informed about emerging threats and the implications of new tools like Artificial Intelligence. This workshop acknowledges curiosity but also apprehension about adopting new technology without compromising security.
Join Michael DePalma, Ellie Hughes, and Jim Peterson for a workshop on cybersecurity basics, prioritization, and emerging threats and tools.
Topics will include:
• Top 10 low-hanging fruit for improving cybersecurity.
• IT budgeting essentials: separating “needs” from “wants.”
• Starting points for nonprofits without IT staff or Managed Service Providers (MSP).
• Baseline security for personal and organizational devices.
• Using Virtual Private Networks effectively alongside other measures.
• Securing AI platforms for nonprofit use.
• Protecting against social media threats and hacks.
• Evaluating Microsoft licensing for included tools and security options.
• Weighing the pros and cons of secure VPNs.
The Learning Center of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County offers free training for those working with Elkhart County nonprofits or nonprofits serving Elkhart County. Please limit participation to two representatives per nonprofit.
About our speakers:
Michael DePalma represents Kaseya at numerous trade shows and technology conferences throughout North America, frequently presenting alongside members of the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI. The objective of these presentations is to connect with business owners and IT professionals to educate them on current cyber threats and the role business continuity plays in combatting these threats. Michael has worked alongside the managed services community for close to a decade, helping them understand the technology landscape for the business community throughout the world. These partnerships have led to significant growth within the industry, as more and more businesses understand the value of working with a Managed Services Provider.
Ellie Hughes is a cyber broker, uniquely positioned at the intersection of cybersecurity and insurance. In her role, Ellie assesses businesses’ cyber risk profiles, designs tailored insurance solutions, and offers strategic guidance to help organizations mitigate digital threats. She evaluates industry trends to stay ahead of evolving threats, and ensures her clients are protected with proactive and comprehensive strategies in an ever-changing cyber landscape.
Ellie holds the Cyber COPE Insurance Certification (CCIC) from Carnegie Mellon University, highlighting her expertise in cyber risk and insurance. She also earned a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Florida Atlantic University, equipping her with the skills to align technical solutions with business objectives.
Jim Peterson is a principal solution advisor at ConnectWise. He brings more than 25 years of IT industry experience focused on securing and protecting the Server Message Block (SMB) market through education, assessment, remediation, and alignment to compliance standards such as PCI, CMMC, and SOC2 Type 1 & 2.
Jim started his IT career delivering technical support and design for large corporate environments like Honeywell, IBM, and Moody’s. In 2008 Jim launched a start-up MSP focused on the SMB market in northern Indiana, exiting via acquisition in 2018.
Jim holds a bachelor’s degree in Management of Information Systems (MIS) from Goshen College.