Heather Radtke, Vice President
 of Speros, Inc., on Tuesday, May 2, will discuss five steps small business owners can take to avoid having their data hacked.

Radtke will outline the suggested safeguards during the Savannah Chamber’s Small Business Council SMART Luncheon from 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Savannah Morning News auditorium, 1375 Chatham Parkway.

“If you are a small business owner, there is a 50-50 chance your company will be the victim of a cyber attack,” Radtke says. “But there are several things you can do to safeguard your online data and avoid being hacked, or minimize the impact.”

Radtke will outline five ways small business owners can lessen their chances of a data breach, including how often and where they should back up data. She will also discuss firewalls, antivirus software and anti-spam systems and will dispense tips on detecting hackers and minimizing damage if an attack should occur.

“Like any emergency plan, business owners need to have a plan in place in advance so they can respond quickly if their computer system is hacked,” Radtke says. “This includes everything from physically disconnecting computers from the network to breaking the news to business partners, vendors, customers and other stakeholders.”

The event is for Savannah Chamber of Commerce members only. Registration will begin at 11:30 a.m., and the cost is $12.

RSVP at [email protected] or call 912-644-6458. Small Business Council SMART Luncheons are hosted each month with guest speakers presenting topics relevant to small business owners and employees.