- Bill introduced in the House proposes the establishment of cybersecurity assistance units within the U.S. Small Business Administration
- Measure would encourage small businesses to share information on cyber threats and defensive measures, with the units providing assistance in return
- The proposal also includes liability protections and the potential for a grant program
Summary by Dirk Langeveld
A bipartisan proposal introduced by members of the House Committee on Small Business looks to encourage collaboration and information sharing between small businesses and the federal government to improve cybersecurity protections.
The Small Business Advanced Cybersecurity Enhancements Act would establish a central cybersecurity assistance unit with the U.S. Small Business Administration as well as regional units within small business development centers. The central unit would receive reports on cyber threats and defensive measures while also providing information and assistance on cybersecurity via the regional units.
- The legislation also ensures that businesses that share information with a small business development center are entitled to the same protection under the law as other entities, with liability protections also provided for businesses that share information
- The bill includes the potential for a grant program to assist small businesses in areas considered economically challenged due to a business or government institution closing or downsizing, with a resulting loss of jobs or small business instability
- The proposal comes as recent cyber attacks raise cybersecurity concerns, especially for small businesses that increasingly adopted digital services during the COVID-19 pandemic but often lack adequate protections and are considered to be more vulnerable
