On October 24th, 2011, Jasmin Melvin reported for Reuters on how the FCC is attempting to help small businesses beef up defenses against cyber criminals. Using a free online tool called Small Biz Cyber Planner, the FCC wants small business owners to create customized cybersecurity plans. Consequently, small business owners are increasingly coming under cyberattack: "Forty percent of all targeted attacks today are directed at companies with less than 500 employees" according to Cheri McGuire, vice president of global government affairs and cybersecurity policy at Symantec Corp. FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski described small businesses as a low-hanging fruit for cybercriminals. Furthermore, a recent survey by Symantec found that nearly 50% of small business owners had no cybersecurity policy for their businesses.
The Obama administration has pushed to protect both consumers and businesses from data breaches, but lawmakers are at odds over comprehensive cybersecurity legislation. There is currently a bill being drafted by Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid which would allow the DHS to set minimum standards for business monitoring of incoming attacks and further require companies to notify consumers when breaches put personal data at risk. However, a task force of Republicans in the House of Representatives believe that Congress should not impose new cyber regulations on businesses (with the exceptions of critical infrastructure), but rather, should offer these companies incentives to boost cyber defenses.
Whatever the case, former Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff believes that US small businesses need cybersecurity tools, and they need them quickly. Mr. Chertoff noted that "Not to consider cybersecurity is a little bit like leaving your money lying around on the table and thinking that that's not going to be a problem."
The source article can be found here.
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