Washington, D.C. – Congressman Daniel Webster, R-Florida, today led the U.S. House of Representatives to pass his bill H.R. 2105, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Small Business Cybersecurity Act by unanimous voice vote.  The bill will help small businesses better address their cybersecurity risks to help them survive - and thrive - in the face of such adversity.

“Small businesses are especially vulnerable, with some reports noting that 43 percent of cyber-attacks specifically target them,” said Rep. Webster. “These small businesses are more susceptible to attacks due to the limited access to the tools they need to prepare for such an event.”

The bill directs the NIST Director to disseminate clear and concise resources, which are defined as guidelines, tools, best practices, standards, methodologies, and other ways of providing information.  Implementation of the NIST Framework into these small businesses will protect business owners, their employees, and their customer base, all while contributing positively to the economy. 

Webster further commented, “As the owner of a multi-generational small business, I know what small businesses can accomplish when equipped and empowered with the right tools. 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.”

“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, said Rep. Lamar Smith (R-Texas), chairman of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee. “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.”

This bipartisan bill is cosponsored by Research and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Daniel Lipinski (D-IL),  Chairman Lamar Smith (R-TX),  Research and Technology Subcommittee Chairwoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA), and Reps. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Randy Hultgren (R-IL), Stephen Knight (R-CA), Darin LaHood (R-IL), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Bill Posey (R-FL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Frank Lucas (R-OK), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Jerry McNerney (D-CA), Edward Royce (R-CA), David Trott (R-MI) and Don Bacon (R-NE).

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