capitol hill

House Passes Two Bills Aimed at Improving Cybersecurity for Small Businesses

Both measures, which aim to improve the Small Business Administration and resources for business owners, were adopted with bipartisan support.

Two pieces of legislation passed in the House of Representatives Monday seek to improve cybersecurity practices at the Small Business Administration and help small businesses across the country defend themselves against cyber threats.

The SBA Cyber Awareness Act, spearheaded by Rep. Jason Crow (D-Colorado), would require the agency to produce an annual Congressional report assessing its information technology and if any of its equipment was manufactured in China, The Hill reported. If the SBA was the victim of a cyber attack, the agency would have seven days to notify Congress and 30 days to notify individuals and small businesses affected by the incident.

“Our bill would require the SBA to be more proactive in protecting its data and more transparent in the event of a cyber breach,” Crow said on the House floor before the bill passed. “The goal of this bill is to put the SBA and the small businesses that it interacts with, and that depend on it, on the best footing possible to combat the rising threat of cyber attacks.”

The act was approved with bipartisan support, as was a measure that requires counselors at Small Business Development Centers -- run by the SBA -- to be certified in cybersecurity and assist business owners with protecting their businesses. The Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act was spurred by the growing threats faced by business owners.

“Small businesses are increasingly popular targets for cyber criminals,” Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), who chairs the House Small Business Committee, said prior to the bill’s passage. “The average cost of a cyber attack on a small business is over $30,000 which can destroy, literally, a small business.”

Both bills have companion measures that have been introduced by Sen. Marco Rubio, who chairs the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship. The legislation is awaiting a vote.

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Freedom of Choice

    In today's security landscape, we are witnessing a fundamental transformation in how organizations manage digital evidence. Law enforcement agencies, campus security teams, and large facility operators face increasingly complex challenges with expanding video data, tightening budget constraints and inflexible systems that limit innovation. Read Now

  • Accelerating a Pathway

    There is a new trend touting the transformational qualities of AI’s ability to deliver actionable data and predictive analysis that in many instances, seems to be a bit of an overpromise. The reality is that very few solutions in the cyber-physical security (CPS) space live up to this high expectation with the one exception being the new generation of Physical Identity and Access Management (PIAM) software – herein recategorized as PIAM+. Read Now

  • Protecting Your Zones

    It is game day. You can feel the crowd’s energy. In the parking lot. At the gate. In the stadium. On the concourse. Fans are eager to party. Food and merchandise vendors ready themselves for the rush. Read Now

  • Street Smarts

    The ongoing acceptance of AI and advanced data analytics has allowed surveillance camera technology to shift from being a tactical tool to a strategic business solution. Combining traditional surveillance technology with AI-based data-driven insights can streamline transportation systems, enhance traffic management, improve situational awareness, optimize resource allocation and streamline emergency response procedures. Read Now

  • Midtown Manhattan Shooting Kills 4, Including NYPD Officer

    Four people were killed, including a NYPD officer, in a midtown Manhattan shooting on Monday. That’s according to CNN. Read Now

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation.

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.