Past Events

Join the UVI Information Services & Institutional Assessment team as they prepare USVI Small Businesses with the tools necessary to secure their data and electronic information. Learn common fallacies for small businesses regarding cybersecurity, the types of threats encountered, strategies for combating the threats, and how to get started. This interactive webinar is free of cost and includes a question-and-answer segment.

We will provide practical insights and actionable strategies to enhance your ability to effectively mitigate ransomware threats.

In this session, you will learn:

•            What is ransomware and how it works

•            Ransomware prevention

•            How to understand cyber threats and what to do about them

Ransomware is a persistent risk to organizations of all sizes and sectors, and addressing this risk requires collaboration across the public and private sectors to develop practical resources for organizations to reduce their ransomware risks.

Speakers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Center for Internet Security (CIS), and the Institute for Security and Technology (IST) will provide an overview of available ransomware risk management resources that help organizations get started with ransomware risk management by establishing foundational safeguards and building from there. Two resources that will be featured include: 

• NIST Ransomware Risk Management CSF 2.0 Community Profile—published as an Initial Public Draft on January 13, 2025, reflects changes made to the Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) from CSF 1.1 to CSF 2.0 which identifies security objectives that support managing, detecting, responding to, and recovering from ransomware events. The publication can be used to gauge an organization’s readiness to counter ransomware threats, mitigate potential consequences of a ransomware event, and to develop a ransomware countermeasure playbook.
• The IST and the Ransomware Task Force Blueprint for Ransomware Defense—which provides small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with an actionable framework to defend against the most common attacks. It is comprised of a subset of Implementation Group 1 (IG1) Safeguards from the CIS Critical Security Controls (CIS Controls) v8 and aligned with NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework 2.0, to help SMEs understand where they can get started with establishing a ransomware risk management strategy.

Speakers will provide an overview of the resources above, including how they were developed collaboratively, and will also discuss current and future efforts to address ransomware risk management.  Ample time will be saved audience questions, ideas, and discussion.

Join the UVI Information Services & Institutional Assessment team as they prepare USVI Small Businesses with the tools necessary to secure their data and electronic information. Learn common fallacies for small businesses regarding cybersecurity, the types of threats encountered, strategies for combating the threats, and how to get started. This interactive webinar is free of cost and includes a question-and-answer segment.

In today's digital age, phishing attacks have become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent. These deceptive tactics target individuals and organizations alike, aiming to compromise sensitive information, financial resources, and even the reputation of companies. It is imperative that we equip ourselves with the knowledge and tools necessary to identify and work to prevent these threats.  Our goal is that you leave the session with a heightened awareness and the ability to confidently navigate through potential phishing and other email threats.

This session’s topics will explain:

•            What is phishing and how it works

•            Different types of phishing attacks

•            Red flags to watch out for in suspicious emails

•           Best practices for protecting sensitive information

•            How to report phishing attempts

Join the NIST National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence (NCCoE) on January 14th, 2026, for a full-day hybrid workshop to discuss the Preliminary Draft of the NIST Cybersecurity Framework Profile for Artificial Intelligence (Cyber AI Profile). NIST will also provide an update regarding the Special Publication (SP) 800-53 Control Overlays for Securing AI Systems (COSAiS). 

This workshop will feature in-person and virtual presentations in the morning, followed by in-person only breakout sessions in the afternoon. The breakout sessions will allow in-person attendees to engage directly with the NIST Cyber AI Profile team and for in-depth discussion of the preliminary draft of the Profile. 

What Small Business Owners Need to Know About Generative AI and Cyber Risks

Technology has changed — but human nature hasn’t.

Centuries ago, Aesop taught us how curiosity, greed, and misplaced trust could lead to trouble. Today, those same instincts drive the risks behind generative AI — and small businesses are the new targets. Generative AI can help businesses grow faster and work smarter, but it also opens new doors to data theft, misinformation, and digital manipulation.

This free 1-hour cybersecurity webinar connects timeless lessons in human behavior to the realities of modern technology. You’ll learn how AI, data privacy, and everyday decision-making intersect — and what every small business owner needs to know to use AI wisely, protect customer trust, and keep their digital assets safe.

In Just One Hour, You’ll Learn:

• What happens to your data when you use AI tools — and why you need to know how it can be reused, resold, or exposed

• How to recognize when an AI platform is quietly mining your business information — and what that means for privacy and liability

• How AI-generated messages, videos, and fake profiles are fueling new scams that target small businesses

• Practical ways to reduce data and privacy risks without expensive tools or technical expertise

• Why every business needs clear AI-use and data-protection guidelines — and simple steps to start

• Timeless cybersecurity habits that still work in an age of algorithms and automation

Who Should Attend:

Small business owners, entrepreneurs, consultants, and anyone using AI tools or managing sensitive data in a digital business environment.

Every business, no matter the size, is a target in today’s connected economy. From phishing scams to ransomware, cyber threats can shut down operations overnight. 

This session breaks down the fundamentals of cybersecurity in plain language — what every owner, manager, and employee needs to know to prevent attacks, protect data, and keep business running smoothly. No jargon, no overwhelm — just practical steps you can put into action today.

In today’s digital world, protecting sensitive information is more important than ever. This webinar will introduce the fundamentals of cybersecurity, including how to recognize common threats, safeguard your data, and adopt best practices to reduce risk. Whether you’re a small business owner or simply looking to strengthen your personal online safety, this session will give you practical tools to stay secure.

AI can be a game-changer for small businesses — boosting efficiency, unlocking insights, and accelerating growth. But without the right safeguards, it can also open the door to costly breaches. Think of it like driving a high-performance car: powerful and exciting, but only safe with strong brakes, seatbelts, and airbags. 

In this session, we’ll give small business owners the strategies and safeguards they need to harness AI’s benefits while avoiding its biggest security risks.

Learn how to prevent and protect from data loss and data leakage resulting from cyber threats. At the end of the course, participants will have multiple, actionable steps to both recognize attacks as well as new behaviors that will thwart attacks.

Cyberattacks are no longer a big-business-only problem. Small businesses are now prime targets, and AI-powered threats are making attacks faster, cheaper, and harder to detect. 

This session cuts through the noise and gives small business owners the essential playbook to secure operations, protect customer trust, and stay one step ahead — all without breaking the budget.