Page 8 - GBC Fall English 2025 flipbook

Message From The CEO, NGCOA Canada • Jeff Calderwood
The
First
Tee
Beware the False Sense
of Security
If you feel that you are an expert in
InfoSec Awareness, congratulations!
That would put you well ahead of the
curve among golf operators. Or perhaps
you are just fooling yourself into a false
sense of security?
The fast pace of tech innovation
in our golf industry, while beneficial,
also comes with ever-increasing
digital security threats. So, we must all
constantly raise our game when it comes
to the defensive strategies necessary
to prevent hackers from breaching our
systems. The risks of not doing so can be
very costly indeed.
In this issue of Golf Business
Canada, our cover story focuses on these
cybersecurity threats and professional
advice for Canadian golf operators on
the recommended solutions.
Authored by internationally
recognized industry expert Jim
Kootnekoff, the article notes the
heightened risks to small businesses,
including golf courses.
He covers everything from ransomware and malware attacks to the ever-
increasing list of hacks such as spear phishing, whaling, vishing, smishing and quishing.
Kootnekoff also contemplates your insurance implications, PIPEDA compliance, and
staff training.
Although we are intentionally not disclosing any reference to specific Canadian
golf courses here, I can tell you that the NGCOA Canada has received many requests
for advice following such hacks. We actually had one of those requests today, while I
was writing this article.
Similarly, the NGCOA Canada has been targeted multiple times by attempts to
access our database or by hacks intending to commit financial fraud. Fortunately,
we continue to invest in the latest cybersecurity and our staff team is well trained to
manage any such attempts. No harm was done.
Within this past year, 47% of small businesses had at least one cyberattack,
and 44% of those had between two and four. Hopefully, you were not one of those
statistics, and Kootnekoff’s consultation will enable you to keep it that way!
You would also be wise to attend the cybersecurity session at our upcoming Golf
Business Canada Conference & Trade Show. Jim Kootnekoff is one of our featured
speakers and available for much deeper discussion.
The rest of your Golf Business Canada read includes valuable Marketing Tips as
Ross Liggett continues his AI series; great strategies from Jacob Hite for Unlocking
Your Dynamic Pricing; Enhancing the Member Experience with a Purpose-Built
Halfway House by Paul Doucet; and much more.
Enjoy this edition, all the best for the balance of your 2025 golf season, and I will
see you at our conference in Niagara Falls, November 18-20!
Jeff Calderwood, CEO NGCOA Canada
jcalderwood@ngcoa.ca
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Golf Business Canada