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While the weight of Russia’s use of cyberattacks to influence the 2016 U.S. election still hangs heavy, today, Democrats of the House Committee on Small Business heard from a key panel on the steps necessary to protecting America’s small businesses from cyber threats. Hearing from witnesses representing the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), today’s event prompted Democrats to continue their work to protect and promote small business cyber infrastructure. 

“In today’s world, everything from electoral integrity, to national security to private sector trade secrets are at risk of cyber-exploitation,” said Ranking Member Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez. “Disturbingly, in recent years, cyber criminals have increasingly targeted small businesses. As hackers and other bad actors, including foreign agents, continue evolving their cyberattacks, strengthening the federal government’s engagement with small firms is crucial.” 

Forty percent of all cyberattacks are focused on companies with less than 500 employees, which may be because only 14 percent of small businesses reported having a plan in place for keeping their company cyber secure. With a rise in e-commerce and internet marketing, small firms are using the Internet now more than ever, with an estimated 97 percent of small businesses using e-mail and 74 percent having their own website. 

Both the FBI and DHS have been active in developing solutions to the growing issues that small firms face in terms of keeping their business safe from cyber attacks. Through InfraGard, a partnership with the Small Business Administration and the FBI, agencies work to conduct regional workshops to counsel small businesses on cyber security. The FBI is additionally working to promote the share of information between small firms and the federal government to develop collaborative solutions. Similarly, DHS is also at work to facilitate information sharing and cybersecurity for small firms. In 2009, DHS established the National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) to bridge cybersecurity information sharing infrastructure for the public and private sectors. Moreover, private sector entities can link to the NCCIC for information products, feeds, and services free of charge. With a number of threats coming from overseas, in today’s hearing, Democrats drew particular attention to cyber threats from foreign actors. 

“Among the most prolific users of cyber-attacks are Chinese and Russian companies. In particular, Chinese companies have been documented to target American small businesses in order to obtain backdoor access to trade secrets and national security information,” said Velázquez. “With this troubling information, it is all the more crucial that small firms receive the support they need from our top intelligence agencies.” 

Last year, Velázquez joined with Committee Chairman Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH) to introduce H.R. 4668, the Small Business Advanced Cybersecurity Enhancements Act of 2017. This bill would both establish a central small business cybersecurity assistance unit coordinated by SBA and federal agencies including DHS, and create a regional small business cybersecurity assistance unit within each Small Business Development Center or SBDC. 

Finally, at a time when politically-charged attacks have threatened institutional integrity, Velázquez payed tribute to the dedicated public servants of the FBI. 

“I would like to especially acknowledge the men and women serving in all divisions of the FBI,” said Velázquez. “We know that you all do extraordinary work under challenging circumstances – and that your agency – unfortunately, -- sometimes comes under political fire. Now, more than ever, we need skilled, impartial professionals serving in the Bureau -- and so we thank you for the work that you and your colleagues do.”