Small-business cybersecurity bill clears House

A bill to increase federal assistance to help small businesses protect against digital threats passed the House on Wednesday. 

{mosads}The Improving Small Business Cyber Security Act calls for the Small Business Administration and the Department of Homeland Security to develop a strategy to aid small businesses that will leverage existing small-business development centers. 

It was introduced by Reps. Richard Hanna (R-N.Y.) and Derek Kilmer (D-Wash.) and co-sponsored by a bipartisan slate including Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot (R-Ohio) and ranking member Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.). 

Chabot moved to pass the bill in suspension Wednesday evening. 

“We need to be doing all we can to help protect these job creators and their customers against the great and growing array of cyber-threats they face on a daily basis,” said Chabot in a statement celebrating the bill clearing its first hurdle.

“This bipartisan, common sense legislation will help small businesses access the tools they need to protect themselves from cyberattacks in this dangerous new digital landscape.”