Sens. Jim Risch (R-ID) and Ben Cardin (D-MD) recently encouraged the Small Business Administration (SBA) to take steps to improve the content and delivery of cybersecurity assistance for small business owners.
Risch and Cardin forwarded correspondence to SBA Administrator Linda McMahon, as they highlighted testimony from small business owners in Idaho and Maryland as well as recommendations from the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.
“In 2015, the National Small Business Association found that 42 percent of small businesses were victims of cyberattacks,” the Senators wrote. “On average, cyberattacks cost small businesses approximately $7,000, and when their bank accounts were hacked, the average loss skyrocketed to $32,000. While small businesses are concerned about cybersecurity, it’s clear they are not doing enough to prepare for and respond to cyber threats.”
The lawmakers maintain the SBA should work with existing professional certification organizations and the private sector to develop a low-cost, vendor-neutral certification program for small business employees who act as their company’s designated cybersecurity expert; and establish a cybersecurity cooperative creating a large pool of willing buyers for various cybersecurity products and services.
“We urge you consider the ideas from this hearing to begin bolstering your cybersecurity opportunities for small businesses as soon as possible,” the legislators wrote. “As the leaders of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, we have a responsibility to do all that we can to assist small business owners and individuals across the country who need access to a variety of services.”