Chamber Connection - East Bay Chamber of Commerce

Should you allow guests to access your WiFi network?

10/16/2023

Should you allow guests to access your WiFi network?
Do you have guest access on your company WiFi network? Or do you simply give out the same password that your employees use? If you give out your password, you’re practically opening the door for anyone to come in and steal private information, infect your private computers and even steal customer credit card data if you are processing them over the same Internet connection.
The key to providing free guest WiFi access is in segregation and security. Your WiFi guests need to be completely isolated and segregated from your private network (something we can do for you). Your guests should not be able to reach your internal computer network, credit card terminals or other network-connected devices.
Don’t know how to enable guest WiFi access? Give us a call and we’ll help you out.

Cybercrime is at an all-time high, and hackers are setting their sights on small and medium businesses who are “low hanging fruit.” Don’t be their next victim! To download this free report that reveals the most common ways that hackers get in and how to protect yourself today go to www.packetlogix.com

October 13th, 2023

10/13/2023

Centreville Bank’s Paola Fernandez, senior vice president, community development officer is joined on stage with Hal Horvat, president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of Centreville Bank at the ABA Foundation Community Commitment awards held October 10, in Nashville, Tenn. Fernandez is the winner of the Foundation’s 2023 George Bailey Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes a non-CEO bank employee who demonstrates outstanding initiative, commitment to their customers and community, and the ability to inspire others. Fernandez was recognized for her dedication to building and leveraging relationships to support underserved communities throughout Rhode Island and northeastern Connecticut. The ABA Foundation selects the winner after reviewing nominations submitted by banks of all sizes across the country. It is the Foundation’s highest individual honor for a banker.

Rhode Island Banker Paola Fernandez Wins ABA Foundation Distinguished Service Award WASHINGTON — The ABA Foundation has named Paola Fernandez, senior vice president of community development for Centreville Bank in West Warwick, R.I., the winner of its 2023 George Bailey Distinguished Service Award. Fernandez was recognized for her dedication to building and leveraging relationships to support underserved communities throughout Rhode Island and northeastern Connecticut. She was honored on Oct. 10 at ABA’s Annual Convention in Nashville, Tenn. Now in its ninth year, the George Bailey Distinguished Service Award recognizes a non-CEO bank employee who demonstrates outstanding initiative, commitment to their customers and community, and the ability to inspire others. The ABA Foundation selects the winner after reviewing nominations submitted by banks of all sizes across the country. It is the Foundation’s highest individual honor for a banker. Fernandez joined Centreville Bank in 2018 and was single-handedly tasked with developing a formal and strategic approach to community giving. She successfully launched the institution’s long-term philanthropic program and has since directed multi-million-dollar investments to underserved communities from the bank’s charitable foundation. One of her key accomplishments has been the support and enhancement of student scholarship programs and investment in community programs that support the success of school-age children through Centreville Bank. The program helps facilitate financial assistance to deserving individuals and opens doors to higher education for those who would have otherwise faced barriers. Her commitment to education and this program has enabled countless students to pursue their academic dreams. “Paola has been a tireless advocate for underserved communities and has made it her mission to create access and opportunities for those who need it most,” said Rob Nichols, ABA president and CEO. “The impact of her work at Centerville Bank will be felt for many years to come, and we congratulate her for this well-deserved recognition.”
In addition to her scholarship program efforts, Fernandez also spearheaded a partnership with Read to Grow, a youth literacy organization based in Connecticut. Through her advocacy and the support of Centreville Bank, Read to Grow was able to launch a bookmobile that has traveled to every county in the state and distributed more than 6,000 books to children at Title 1 schools, in housing projects, food pantries and other community agencies. Fernandez’s passion for community engagement has encouraged others throughout the bank to embrace a culture of volunteerism and “going beyond the check.” In 2022, bank employees completed 3,100 volunteer hours and as of October 2023, they have already logged more than 2,500 additional hours with 350 non-profit organizations. Since the inception of the Centreville Bank Charitable Foundation in 2008, more than $8 million has been invested into the community with focus on education success, economic security, and capacity building.
“Paola's vision and commitment have instilled a strong sense of purpose and social responsibility among employees,” said Hal Horvat, president, CEO and chairman of the board of Centreville Bank. “Staff now contribute to multiple initiatives and through these collective efforts, Centreville Bank has become a catalyst for positive change.” Fernandez has more than 20 years’ experience in community development, nonprofit management and government relations. Prior to joining Centreville Bank, she served as the director of public policy with the United Way of Rhode Island, where she was charged with development and coordination of public policy and government relations strategies with the local, state and federal governments. Chief among her work are the formation of a statewide afterschool network and coordination of two successful ballot advocacy campaigns, which secured $75 million in bond dollars to support the development of affordable housing. In addition to the George Bailey Distinguished Service Award that goes to an individual bank employee, the ABA Foundation also recognizes banks annually for their commitment to their communities in seven different categories. For a full list of the 2023 Community Commitment Award winners, as well as honorable mentions, visit aba.com/awards.

Daffodil Project hosted by Bristol Garden Club

10/3/2023

The Bristol Garden Club is pleased to announce the fourth year of the Daffodil Project, a community effort in cooperation with the Town of Bristol, to create a pathway of daffodils winding through public and private lands. We would like to bring news of the Project to your members.

The multiple year venture began in 2020 when hundreds of daffodils were planted in the Library and Mrs. Perry’s Gardens, and on Metacom Avenue. Several thousand were sold to residents and businesses for planting on private sites, complementing established displays including Blithewold Mansion’s glorious spring array. An additional 20,000 more bulbs were planted 2021 and 2021.

On Saturday, October 7, the volunteers from North Farm, the Veteran’s home, Mt. Hope High students and will join other volunteers from 9 – 1 at the Veteran’s Home greenhouse to add another 10,000 daffodils. Daffodils will also be available for sale at our usual great prices. Additional planting dates will be added as needed.

We hope that businesses, residents, property owners, and community leaders will join in this delightful effort by:

planting daffodils on your property, promoting the project among neighbors, customers, or members, sponsoring a site, or volunteering to plant bulbs in public spaces.
Please join us on October 7 or email us at Bristolrigc@gmail.com to reserve your bulbs and to volunteer and hour or two. The supply is limited and sold out very quickly last year.

IT Security Tip: Is this request really from the boss?

10/2/2023

IT Security Tip: Is this request really from the boss?

Here’s a common scam: you get an e-mail from the boss (or your spouse, parents or other trusted person) asking you to send them a copy of employee pay stubs, tax information and files with confidential data such as social security numbers in them; or they’re asking you to transfer or ACH payment to a vendor or a different bank account.
The problem: even though it is coming from someone’s e-mail address you know and trust and LOOKS legit, there’s a chance it could be a scam. Hackers can INTERCEPT e-mail messages and modify them.
If you ever get this kind of request, DOUBLE-CHECK by calling that person to confirm. And even if it turns out to be a legitimate request, you should NEVER send confidential information like social security numbers (or attachments with this information inside of them) without taking precautions to password-protect and encrypt the message first.
If it doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not right.

Cybercrime is at an all-time high, and hackers are setting their sights on small and medium businesses who are “low hanging fruit.” Don’t be their next victim! To download this free report that reveals the most common ways that hackers get in and how to protect yourself today go to www.packetlogix.com