Massachusetts Small Business Development Center Network
Berkshire Regional Office

 

Training Events

  

The Massachusetts Small Business Development Center - Berkshire Region conducts free and low-cost workshops and conferences addressing a wide range of concerns for both start-up and existing businesses. Many of these programs are cosponsored with local chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, community development organizations, trade associations, banks and corporate sponsors. 

For a complete listing of Massachusetts SBDC seminars offered throughout the state, please visit the statewide calendar at www.msbdc.org. Visit our video page for past trainings and helpful videos.

  

Cyber Resilience in Action: A Hands-On Experience for Small Business

Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of ExcellenceWhat would you do if today was the day your small business was the victim of a cybersecurity attack?

Please join us in person for a high-stakes cybersecurity exercise for small business owners. No tech background needed. No jargon. Just real talk.

If your business operates using a phone, email, a Facebook page, a website, or an app that accepts payments, you already possess everything a cybercriminal needs. You don’t have to be a tech company to be at risk; you simply need to be open for business.

This event is for you, if:

  • You use email, Facebook, Instagram, Square, Venmo, QuickBooks, or any app to run your business
  • You've ever thought, "I'm too small to be a target".
  • You don't have an IT person (you are the IT person)
  • You couldn't answer right now: "Who would I call if my business got hacked?"

Pizza shops. Contractors. Home-based businesses. Hair salons. Junk haulers. Consultants. Flower shops. If you run a business, this workshop was built for you.

What to expect: This is not a lecture. There are no slides filled with technical terms, and no one will make you feel overwhelmed.

What it is: You and a table of fellow business owners live through a small business's worst day in real time — reading the story round-robin, hitting the same split-second decisions the owner faces, and working it out at the table as the stakes get higher.

What you will leave with:

  • The ability to spot the warning signs most owners miss until it's already costly
  • A clear picture of the 2–3 actions that matter most in the first ten minutes
  • One practical change you can make this week that significantly reduces your risk
  • A simple written action plan to take back to your business

Speakers include:

  • Rob DelMastro, Director — Massachusetts SBDC, Western & Berkshire Regions
  • Gene Kingsley, Cyber Range Manager — Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

This event is offered at no charge. Space is limited, so register today.

Date: Wednesday, October 14, 2026
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ET
Location: Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence, Union Station, 55 Frank B Murray Street, Springfield
Cost: No charge
Contact: Paula Pawloski at the Massachusetts SBDC at ppawlosk@umass.edu

Cosponsored by The Richard E. Neal Cybersecurity Center of Excellence

 

Click on icon below to listen to recordings from our recent podcasts, Conversations That Matter.

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Training Policies

Massachusetts SBDC training events are supported by federal taxpayer funds. By registering, you certify that you are legally authorized to receive services funded by U.S. taxpayer dollars, in accordance with applicable federal law and regulations.