BlumShapiro, Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Team Up to Improve Cybersecurity for Municipalities, Schools and Not-for-Profits
West Hartford, Connecticut (PRWEB) May 02, 2016 -- BlumShapiro, the largest business advisory firm based in New England, and the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology (CCAT), a nonprofit organization specializing in IT solution integration and development, are collaborating to help municipalities, school districts and not-for-profits strengthen their IT practices and mitigate cybersecurity risks.
BlumShapiro and CCAT have extensive experience providing cybersecurity and technology services to clients in these sectors. The firms will begin working together to enhance security practices in a digital world that is under ever-increasing threats of cyber-attacks.
“This is an exciting collaboration—BlumShapiro and CCAT have teamed on diverse IT projects for more than 10 years. We respect each other’s work and understand the quality of service our clients require,” BlumShapiro Partner Jeffrey Ziplow said. “Together we will raise the bar on security practices. That’s the goal. Every municipality, school district and not-for-profit has vital information that needs to be protected.”
“CCAT looks forward to joining BlumShapiro to address the compelling need for cybersecurity,” said Elliot Ginsberg, CCAT president and CEO. “Our experience in managing IT technology complements BlumShapiro’s expertise in IT audit and process control. By working collaboratively, we will deliver cost-effective cyber-solutions to help safeguard towns, schools and nonprofits.”
An array of cybersecurity services will be available, including initial security checkups and technology risk assessments, along with assistance implementing protocols to reduce the risk of attack. Advanced testing services—such as wireless security, phishing assessments and penetration tests—will also be offered.
Digital storage of critical personal and organizational data mandates top-level cybersecurity measures. BlumShapiro and CCAT will help to shield highly sensitive personal data such as social security numbers, health and medical information (HIPAA), payment card information (PCI), and student information protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Security will also focus on guarding emails, files, and all private/confidential data.
“We are in the middle of a cybersecurity pandemic— cyber-attacks occur tens of thousands of times a day across the nation and the world. The reality isn’t if we are going to be attacked, but when and more importantly, where has it happened already?” Ziplow said. “This collaboration with CCAT will be invaluable because of the depth and breadth of experience we each have in providing significant risk reduction solutions.”
“Our approach is to assess, remediate, and bolster defenses to protect against possible future attacks,” said Dan Salazar, CCAT director of IT. “Our cybersecurity strategy includes development of IT security policies, employee training, and continuous monitoring of systems.”
More information can be found at http://www.blumshapiro.com and at http://www.ccat.us.
BlumShapiro is the largest regional business advisory firm based in New England, with offices in Connecticut, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. The firm, with over 400 professionals and staff, offers a diversity of services which includes auditing, accounting, tax and business advisory services. In addition, BlumShapiro provides a variety of specialized consulting services such as succession and estate planning, business technology services, employee benefit plan audits and litigation support and valuation. The firm serves a wide range of privately held companies, government and non-profit organizations and provides non-audit services for publicly traded companies.
About CCAT
Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc. (CCAT) is a nonprofit organization, headquartered in East Hartford, Conn., that creates bold, new ideas for designing and implementing applied technologies, IT strategies, STEM education, career development, and energy solutions. By leading state, regional, and national partnerships, CCAT helps manufacturers, academia, government and nonprofit organizations to succeed. Learn more at http://www.ccat.us, or follow CCAT on Twitter - @CCATInc.
Tom DeVitto, Chief Marketing Officer, BlumShapiro, http://www.blumshapiro.com, +1 860-561-6851, [email protected]
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