SBA Empowers Small Businesses to be Cyber Safe

On Oct 6, 2015

Marking the 12th Anniversary of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, the U.S. Small Business Administration has unveiled a new cybersecurity webpage for small businesses at www.sba.gov/cybersecurity.

The SBA’s launch of online tools and resources is designed to highlight Cybersecurity at Work from October 5-9^th as well as support and recognize President Obama’s annual proclamation to educate Americans about cyberthreats and cybersafety.

“Cybersecurity is one of our nation’s most pressing national security priorities, and America’s 28 million small businesses, which create two out of every three new jobs in the U.S., are especially at risk.  Small employers are quickly becoming a larger target for criminals looking to access sensitive data because small businesses typically have limited resources for information systems security,” said SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet. “In an effort to combat cyberattacks against small businesses, the SBA’s online tools will help employers identify information security vulnerabilities that put their companies at risk.”

A 2013 survey by the National Small Business Association indicates that 44 percent of small businesses reported being the victim of a cyberattack, with an average cost of approximately $9,000 per attack.  Small businesses have valuable information cybercriminals seek, including employee and customer data, bank account information, access to business finances, and intellectual property.  Small business employers also provide access to larger networks such as supply chains.

The SBA cybersecurity webpage is a resource for small business owners to discover online courses, training opportunities, blogs and webinars, as well as learn cybersecurity information tips, including how to:

• Protect against viruses, spyware and other malicious code;
• Educate employees about cyberthreats;
• Safeguard Internet connections by using a firewall and encrypting information;
• Use best practices on payment cards, including shifting to more secure credit card payment technology known as “EMV.”

“The SBA website includes key steps for a small firm to take if it falls prey to a cybersecurity attack,” said SBA Regional Administrator Kellie LeDet, who oversees all SBA’s programs and services throughout New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  “This is a major collaboration with our federal partners and includes links to tools from the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology to help small business owners better protect the data of their customers, employees and business partners.”

“There is no better time than now for small businesses to assess their cybersecurity health, including the importance of securing information through best cybecybersecurity practices, identifying risks and types of cyberthreats, and learning the best practices for guarding against such cyberthreats,” added LeDet.

 

 

Related Articles: