Government Spotlight | April 30, 2024

Cybersecurity Experts Offer Recommendations for Small Businesses
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose Friday convened a cybersecurity conference in Columbus for leaders at small and medium-sized businesses. The event included keynote remarks by Brett Johnson, a former hacker who now works as a consultant. LaRose moderated a panel with Justin Root, a Special Agent Supervisor at the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation (BCI); Jillian Burner, an Advisor at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and former Chief Information Security Officer in the secretary of state’s office; and Amber Buening, Senior Vice President and Security Outreach Director at Huntington Bank.

In the panel discussion, LaRose noted Ohio State University (OSU) had just received a federal grant to offer free cybersecurity training for businesses. It will be developed in collaboration with the Ohio Cyber Reserve and Ohio Cyber Range.

Ohio Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Steve Stivers said 61 percent of small businesses faced at least one cyberattack in the past year and 41 percent of overall cyberattacks were on small and medium businesses since they may be easier targets. Only 14 percent of small businesses were prepared for an attack. Ransomware is the most common attack on small businesses, and 60 percent of small businesses that were hit by a cyberattack went out of business within six months.

Things to Consider: 

• Cyber “attackers” can be nation-states; terrorist groups acting out of financial or ideological interest; “hacktivists” primarily motivated by ideology but who also need money; insiders; and those who have limited skill, which Johnson called “script-kiddies.” Understanding who is likely to attack a company and why is important to know the level of persistence.
• Companies should develop cyber response plans that are printed out on paper, as digital systems may not be accessible after an attack. Plans should include how to communicate with employees, maintain business continuity, have a PR plan and specify when to contact law enforcement.
• Maintaining backups is the best way to survive them and that there is no guarantee paying the ransom will work.
• Small businesses with very limited money or resources for cybersecurity should at least make a checklist of practices such as strong passwords, MFA and having a plan in place.
• Beware of posting too much information on a company’s leadership—as that can be used in a cyberattack.

Columbus City Council to Hold Public Hearings on Zoning Code Update
Council President Hardin and Council President Pro Tem Rob Dorans, chair of the Zoning Committee, will hold three public hearings during May and June regarding the proposed new Zoning Code and map. The Zone In Initiative is a multi-phase effort to comprehensively update the City’s Zoning Code and map for the first time in more than 70 years. Currently, residents can provide input during the 60-day public comment period until June 10. The current phase focuses on key corridors.

Who:

• Council President Shannon Hardin
• Council President Pro Tem Dorans
• City Planning Experts from the Zone In Team

What: Overview – Proposed City Zoning Code and Map

When and Where: 

Douglas Recreation Center
1250 Windsor Ave.

Tuesday, May 7, 2024
5:30 pm – 7:00 pm

If you would like to provide written or public testimony, including signing up to speak at a hearing, email Kevin McCain at kbmccain@columbus.gov.

Written testimony must be received by 3:00 pm on the day of the hearing and should be emailed to Kevin McCain at kbmccain@columbus.gov – please include “written testimony” in the subject line of your email.

Any resident wishing to speak during the hearing should email Kevin McCain at kbmccain@columbus.gov. Members of the public can also sign up to speak in person at the hearing. Each speaker will be limited to remarks lasting no longer than three minutes.

U.S. Department of Labor Releases New Overtime Rule  
The Department of Labor (DOL) released its final rule on Overtime Regulations which will have significant implications across various industries, particularly in terms of labor costs and workforce management.

Technically, this new standard affects eligibility criteria for overtime pay under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), outlining new criteria for determining which employees are exempt from receiving overtime pay. Those typically exempt from overtime rules include executive, administrative, professional, and other roles often referred to as “white-collar” positions; however, by the DOL’s new rule, the salary threshold determining overtime eligibility or exclusion will change:   

On July 1, 2024, this salary threshold will be raised to $43,888 and increase to $58,656 on Jan. 1, 2025.  Starting July 1, 2027, salary thresholds will update every three years, based on wage data and economic adjustments.  

Federal legal challenges will likely be filed by the business community, including challenges to the new rule related to the triannual automatic adjustments.

Dez Bryant
Vice President of Government Relations
dezbryant@columbus.org