2025 Wyoming’s Cybersecurity Competition for Small Business Winners presented at Cyber Cheyenne 2025.
Left to right back row: Mary Keane of CyberWyoming representing Go Goshen (Honorable Mention for Contracted or Consistent IT Help Category), Timothy Abbott of Palo Alto Networks, Kimberly Brandon-Wintermote of Northwest Wyoming Board of REALTORS® (1st Place for No IT Help Category), Nicole Novotny Smith of Wyoming REALTORS® (1st Place for Contracted or Consistent IT Help Category). Front row, last year’s winner of the No IT Help category, Jennifer Clark of the Goat Ladies and Laura Baker of CyberWyoming.
CyberWyoming Launches Made Safe Alumni Club!
CyberWyoming has announced the launch of the Made Safe Alumni Club, a new initiative designed to provide ongoing support for companies that have completed the Made Safe Cybersecurity Training Program or participated in the Cybersecurity Competition for Small Businesses.
The Alumni Club offers continued guidance and community for these microbusinesses, where cybersecurity responsibilities often fall on employees wearing many hats.
Supporting Microbusinesses
CyberWyoming defines microbusinesses as less than 10 computers, no servers, and most applications in the cloud. According to the SBA State Profiles, the United States has over 29 million businesses without employees, meaning that they operate as sole proprietors or independent contractors. These businesses make up about 80% of all small businesses nationwide, and in Wyoming and the rural West, that percentage rises into the nineties.
“We often work with small businesses of 5 or less people that are too small to contract with managed service providers to manage their digital world, but we want them to have the chance to grow to need additional services and fully understand what to ask for in an IT partner,” said Laura Baker, CyberWyoming Executive Director.
Continued Support and Benefits for Alumni
Through the Alumni Club, members will receive an annual one-on-one cybersecurity maintenance session with a CyberWyoming Cybersecurity Business Counselor, along with an updated Cyber Score to measure and highlight their progress. Alumni also gain exclusive access to new internal training programs and refreshed versions of prior modules.
The program includes quarterly Alumni Meetings, where members can stay informed about the latest cybersecurity issues affecting microbusinesses. In addition, alumni are offered one free personalized session with a Cybersecurity Business Counselor to assist with product-specific research or adjusting security settings.
“Graduating from the Made Safe program is just the beginning,” said Baker. “The Alumni Club ensures that companies continue to strengthen their cybersecurity practices, stay connected to their peers, and maintain the confidence they built during the program.”
The Made Safe Alumni Club welcomes all businesses that have completed the Made Safe program or participated in the Cybersecurity Competition for Small Businesses, offering ongoing support to strengthen their cybersecurity and grow with confidence!
