Senators Propose Bill Protecting Small Businesses From Cyber Threats

A group of senators has introduced the Small Business Cyber Resiliency Act, which seeks the creation of a government unit to protect small businesses from cyber threats.

The bill will establish the Central Small Business Cybersecurity Unit within the Small Business Administration. The unit will create a public repository of cybersecurity resources for small businesses; improve information sharing between the SBA, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and other agencies; and conduct cybersecurity reviews of small businesses’ digital infrastructure.

The bill was introduced by Sens. James Risch, Mike Crapo, Jeanne Sheenan and Catherine Cortez Masto, SC Magazine reported.

The U.S. government has been working to support small businesses, which is seen as one of the most at-risk sectors in terms of cybersecurity.

In March, the National Institute of Standards and Technology launched a cybersecurity community program of interest to improve collaboration between the agency and small businesses that provide cybersecurity services. According to Deputy Commerce Secretary Don Graves, the program would identify small business needs and capabilities, as well as help support NIST’s activities.