U.S. Senators Young, Schiff introduce legislation to help small businesses combat increasing cybersecurity threats

U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), members of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, introduced the Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act, bipartisan legislation to improve the federal cybersecurity tools that protect small businesses against cyber threats – helping integrate the technology, resources, and programs they need to stay protected in a changing digital landscape.  

“Small businesses are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals, but too many owners don’t know where to turn for help,” said Senator Young. “This commonsense legislation will identify gaps, improve coordination, and ensure small businesses have access to the tools they need to defend themselves from evolving cyber threats. When small businesses are better protected, they can spend less time responding to cyberattacks and more time creating jobs and growing our economy.” 

“As small businesses face a growing threat of cyberattacks and phishing schemes, we must give them the tools they need to stop hacks and lower their risk. Our bipartisan legislation will improve federal cybersecurity resources to help small businesses mitigate their cybersecurity vulnerabilities,” said Senator Schiff. 

The Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act will require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to develop a report on all federal cybersecurity resources, initiatives, programs, tools, and services available to small business owners. This report must include:  

• Information on the most common cybersecurity threats faced by small businesses; 

• A description and assessment of the different levels of awareness, use, coordination, and integration of the federal resources; 

• A list of foundational cybersecurity concepts absent from federal resources; and 

• Recommendations on how to improve the effectiveness of these tools. 

The full text of the legislation is available here.