Louisiana Businessman Finds Cybersecurity Confidence Through LSU’s Free Cyber Clinic Program
November 07, 2025
Many businesses are not proactive about cybersecurity, often believing hackers prefer to target large firms and institutions. But the opposite can be true, according to the LSU Cybersecurity Clinic.
Gary Anderson, partner at Cardinal Capital Commercial Financial Consultants
The clinic, which provides free services to Louisiana small businesses, says cyber criminals can be drawn to small businesses because of their poor security posture or as a stepping stone to larger organizations.
As a partner at Cardinal Capital Commercial Financial Consultants, based in Baton Rouge, La., Gary Anderson knew enough about the dangers of cyber attacks to know he and his colleagues needed help protecting the firm and its clients.
“It's such a jungle out there that everybody's trying to get into your systems and into your computer and find out your stuff and steal from you,” he said.
A couple of years ago, he happened upon one of the LSU Cyber Clinic’s free seminars and decided to enroll. He was immediately impressed.
“First, you go to a basic seminar that says, ‘Here are the nasties that are out there,’” he said. “‘Here's what they're trying to do; here's how they're trying to do it.’”
The clinic offered to do an audit on the seminar attendees’ systems and provide a report detailing practical, real-world strategies to improve their security, such as password protocol and file-backup practices.
“They were very impressive young people. They knew their business. They knew how to interact well with us and our business environment.”
— Gary Anderson
Anderson found the entire exercise to be very professional and thorough, especially his interactions with the LSU students who took part in the audit.
“They were very impressive young people. They knew their business. They knew how to interact well with us and our business environment,” he said. “They made some very good suggestions and were a delight to work with.
“And they do it in such a way that's understandable. I'm not a great whiz with a computer by any means, but they were able to show me what I needed to do to make myself safe.”
Cardinal Capital went on to hire an outside vendor to begin implementing many of the recommendations from the audit, gaining peace of mind that the firm’s data was being protected.
His satisfaction with the process has led Anderson to recommend the LSU clinic to other Louisiana businesses, on a personal level and within area business organizations. As an LSU alum, he said he can do so with confidence and pride in his alma mater.
“I think LSU has resources that we, as alums and citizens of Louisiana, are just not aware of. And becoming aware of them and using them has made my life a lot better.”
About the Cybersecurity Clinic
The Cybersecurity Clinic is a collaborative effort between LSU and the Louisiana Small Business Development Center, funded by the U.S. National Security Agency. The clinic and LSBDC offer workshops to educate business owners and workers about potential threats, risks and the consequences of common security threats.
The clinic is directed by Aisha Ali-Gombe, associate professor in the LSU Division of Computer Science and Engineering. Students on degree paths in computer science or computer engineering, or in the E.J. Ourso College of Business, are eligible to participate, with a focus on the areas of threat and vulnerability assessment and cyber defense.
Register for the seminars through the LSBDC website.
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