IN CASE
YOU MISSED IT.
Our professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and
experience to the table. Last year, we rolled out some
Case Study
great resources and initiatives to help you find even
greater success moving forward.
How to Survive a Ransomware
Attack Case Study
In early 2017, members of the Rea team visited the Jess
Howard Electric Company to learn more about the business
and team culture and to tour the facility. During the visit, the
company highlighted its impressive IT infrastructure and data
security efforts. We were moved to help the company share
its extensive knowledge and best practices with others who
might be struggling with their own cybersecurity challenges.
Download the free case study at www.reacpa.com/ransomware
and find out how Jess Howard Electric was able to survive
two ransomware attacks in as many years.
Manufacturing Education Day
In early October, we organized a Manufacturing Education
day in Millersburg in conjunction with National Manufac-
turing Day efforts. Attendees gained insight into strategic
planning, Lean Six Sigma, cash flow management and
the business impact of nexus and state and local taxes.
We plan to conduct similar education days at additional
locations moving forward. Keep an eye out for future
announcements. In the meantime, if you would
be interested in attending an event, email us at
rea.news@reacpa.com and let us know.
continued >>>
Jeff Semple, FocusCFO (left) and
Kyle Stemple (New Philadelphia)
presented at this year’s Manufacturing
Education Day in Millersburg.
How To
Survive A
Ransomware Attack
Jess Howard Electric Company’s Holistic Approach To Cybersecurity
Members of the Rea team recently visited Jess Howard Electric Company, a Rea client, to learn more
about the business, their team culture and to tour the facility. During the visit, the company highlighted its
impressive IT infrastructure and its data security efforts. Upon returning from the visit, Joe Welker, CISA,
IT Audit manager for Rea, pitched the idea of telling their story to other business owners who are struggling
with their own cybersecurity challenges. Read on to find out how Jess Howard Electric was able to
beat the odds and survive two Ransomware Attacks over the course of two years.
Cybercrime is not going away. We’re In It Together
As long as there is money to be made through the
infiltration and exploitation of a business’s network,
there will be criminals willing to find new ways to
threaten the security and stability of your business’s
digital infrastructure. “All it takes is for one of your employees to open a
single malicious email,” explained Scott Stottlemire, an
independent senior network/IT engineer and software
engineer for Jess Howard Electric. Fortunately, the
company had already made the necessary investment
in its IT infrastructure. When the company was
attacked, Jess Howard Electric was able to recover
quickly – without paying the ransom associated with
the attack.
Specifically, authorities continue to report
increased instances of Ransomware. Just last year,
Ransomware moved to the top spot as the number
one security concern for organizations with nearly
50 percent of businesses reporting that they had
suffered at least one Ransomware attack over the last
12 months. Unfortunately, of those businesses that
reported being attacked, nearly 40 percent were left
with no choice but to pay the ransom.
Not The Jess Howard Electric Company.
Based out of Blacklick, a suburb of Columbus, The
Jess Howard Electric Company beat the odds twice
– a statistic that’s simply unheard of these days,
particularly among small, family owned businesses.
But The Jess Howard Electric Company’s approach to
IT and data security is anything but ordinary.
“No matter how much you spend, how much of an
investment you put into the best hardware, software
and security devices, you will never be worry-free,”
said Scott. “The best thing you can do is to prepare
for the worst. You don’t want the first time you have
a problem to be the first time you have ever restored
your data. You have to put your infrastructure in place
and you have to test your procedures regularly.”
Jonathan Howard, president and CEO of Jess
Howard Electric, not only agrees with Scott’s logic, he
has taken an active role in the company’s IT and data
security effort – a stance not normally seen in other
businesses.