This week, the U.S. House passed U.S. Rep. Dan Webster’s, R-Fla., bill to help small businesses with cybersecurity.
Back in March, from his perch on the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Webster brought out the “NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act” which would have the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) work with other federal agencies to create guidelines to help small businesses beef up their cybersecurity. The bill ensures small businesses can follow the guidelines on a voluntary basis and will come out of already existing funds.
The House passed the bill on Wednesday without opposition and the Florida Republican weighed in on why he bad introduced it.
“Small businesses are especially vulnerable, with some reports noting that 43 percent of cyber-attacks specifically target them,” Webster said. “These small businesses are more susceptible to attacks due to the limited access to the tools they need to prepare for such an event.
“As the owner of a multi-generational small business, I know what small businesses can accomplish when equipped and empowered with the right tools,” Webster added. Recently, when my own business was attacked, I experienced the havoc a hacker can cause and the importance of cybersecurity. This bill will provide small businesses in my district, state and across the country with the tools they need to meet the threats and challenges of the modern world.”
Webster had the support of U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, who chairs the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.
“Small businesses account for more than half of all U.S. jobs, including nearly four and a half million in my home state of Texas,” Smith said after the bill passed. “While many small businesses do not have the expertise to protect their computer systems and confidential information, it is crucial to our economy and our citizens’ security that these businesses secure their data. Congressman Webster’s NIST Small Business Cybersecurity Act helps achieve this goal by using NIST’s global cybersecurity expertise and requiring NIST to provide small businesses with guidance on identifying risks of cyber-attacks. October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month and it is appropriate that Congress consider legislation to protect small businesses from cybersecurity attacks.”
Other supporters include the two representatives who lead the House Research and Technology Subcommittee: Chairwoman Barbara Comstock, R-Va., and ranking Democrat U.S. Rep. Daniel Lipinski of Illinois. Florida Republican U.S. Reps. Neal Dunn and Bill Posey were also co-sponsors.
U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, had a similar bill in the Senate which has the support of U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-SD, and U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla. That bill passed towards the end of last month.
“Cyberattacks are happening against computer systems, large and small, whether they are operated by a multi-billion dollar corporation or a small utility in rural Florida," Nelson said when Schatz brought out the bill back in February. “This bill will provide valuable guidance to small businesses to help them fight against hackers who seek to bring down their networks or steal information about their customers.”
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