2026 Business X-Change - 2/11 Sponsored by The Dirks Group

Description

BUSINESS X-CHANGE PRESENTATION - FEBRUARY 11, 2026 - 7:30 AM TO 8:30 AM 
 
Business X-Change meets regularly throughout the year.  Our February X-Change will be held at the Portage County Business Council office. Business X-Change allows business owners and their employees the opportunity to discuss pertinent topics, learn from local industry leaders and, most importantly, learn from each other. 
 
There is no cost to attend. Coffee and Danish provided.
 

Title: "Cybersecurity Wake-Up Call: How to Protect Your Business Before It's Too Late"
 
Presented by:

BJ Farra
Client Account Manager, The Dirks Group

About the Program:  
Cyberattacks are no longer a distant threat--they're an everyday reality for businesses of all sizes. In this X-Change, BJ will walk business leaders through real-world cybersecurity incidents, common vulnerabilities, and the steps you can take to reduce risk. Whether you're a CEO, operations manager, or financial leader, this X-Change will equip you with a clearer understanding of your organizations's risk exposure and the practical ways to protect what matters most. Drawing from 25+ years of experience working with Central Wisconsin companies, The Dirks Group helps translate complex cybersecurity issues into real business conversations--without the tech jargon. 
 
Key Points of this Business X-Change to Include: 

• Understand the Real Risks: Learn how small-to mid-sized businesses become targets--and how human error plays a leading role.
• Know What Questions to Ask: Walk away with the top questions every business leader should be asking their IT team or provider.
• Plan for the Inevitable: Discover how recovery time and business continuity planning can make or break your response to an attack.
• Build a Culture of Security: Learn how employee training and leadership awareness work together to reduce organizational risk.

About our Presenter: 
BJ brings over 20 years of experience in IT stragegy, systems management, and security consulting. As a Client Account Manager, he helps businesses align their technology with long-term growth and risk mitigation. BJ is a frequent panelist and speaker on cybersecurity and currently leads client-facing security awareness and infrastructure readiness efforts at The Dirks Group. His hands-on approach and storytelling style make complex IT topics relatable and actionable for non-technical audiences.
 
What is Business X-Change? Allows business owners and their employees the opportunity to discuss pertinent topics, learn from local industry leaders and, most importantly, learn from each other.  Business X-Change meets regularly throughout the year from 7:30 - 8:30am.

Special THANK YOU to The Dirks Group for their sponsorship of this program.