Cybersecurity help sought for small businesses
Proposed legislation to help entrepreneurs protect themselves from cybercrimes and create cybersecurity plans to meet their business needs has been introduced by U.S. Representatives Richard Hanna and Derek Kilmer.
The proposed Small Business Cyber Security Act would provide federally linked Small Business Development Centers “with the resources, tools, and guidance they need to better meet the 21st century needs of small businesses,” said Hanna’s office.
The centers would offer cyber support to small businesses in accordance with a strategy to be developed jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Small Business Administration, Hanna’s office said.
Hanna, R-22, Barneveld, said “many small business owners don’t have the time or resources to plan for a cyberattack or keep up to date with rapidly changing technology.”
“While programs exist at the federal level to provide cyber assistance to small businesses...they are not always assessable or well-coordinated,” Hanna said.
“This bill would streamline and improve these resources,” helping businesses to “safeguard their business transactions and protect information from thieves who want to do them harm,” according to a statement from Hanna’s office outlining the proposed legislation.
Kilmer, D-Washington, said “as more and more local employers use technology and have online customer transactions, the federal government needs to make sure they’re able to combat cyberattacks....”
According to one estimate, three out of every five cyberattacks now target small businesses, said Hanna’s office.
Source: Rome Sentinel