Skip to Content
Event Columbus Startup Week starts on May 5, 2026, 8:00:00 AM (America/New_York)
Startup Security: The Top Cybersecurity Essentials Every Founder Should Know
Startup Support
Location: Pavilion - 5/7/26, 9:00 AM - 5/7/26, 9:45 AM (America/New_York) (45 minutes)
Startup Security: The Top Cybersecurity Essentials Every Founder Should Know
Olivia Hernandez
Lead Engineer
Olivia Hernandez
Lead Engineer

Dr. Olivia K. Hernandez, PhD, is the Lead Engineer in the Industrial Cybersecurity division at The Ohio State University’s Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence in the College of Engineering. She leads a group of students in creating educational content for Ohio small businesses and nonprofits around cybersecurity, which is funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration. Being a small business owner herself who has dealt with phishing attempts, she has a deep sense of compassion and duty toward protecting small Ohio businesses and nonprofits. Olivia has published research on both cybersecurity and active learning, which are very relevant areas for her current position.


In this founder-friendly session, we cut through the noise and break down cybersecurity into the essentials that every startup needs to survive and scale. No jargon, just practical, high‑impact steps that reduce your risk without slowing innovation. You’ll learn core security basics that protect real startups from real threats. By the end, attendees walk away with clear guidance and the confidence to build a business that’s resilient against digital threats.