An official website of the United States government
By Bridget Bean, Assistant Director for Integrated Operations at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency
There are more than 32 million small businesses in the United States, each one of them a representation of the great ingenuity, hard work, and passion that exemplifies our nation.
During my 25 years working at the Small Business Administration, and now leading our field force at CISA, it’s been my passion to help small businesses thrive. I’ve come to truly appreciate that small businesses are the backbone of the economy.
Sadly, small businesses are increasingly under threat by cyber bad actors. They face the challenge of integrating cybersecurity best-practices into their very specialized operations. So, in recognition of Small Business Week, I want to share tips that small businesses can use to strengthen their cyber posture.
Tip #1: Practice Good Cyber Hygiene
Tip #2: Train Your Staff
Tip #3: Prepare to Respond If an Incident Does Occur
Tip #4: Read and Use CISA’s Free Cybersecurity Resources
CISA makes available several resources, at no cost, for organizations and businesses looking to improve their cybersecurity practices. Here are a few:
While ransomware and cyber attacks are on the rise among small and medium sized businesses, the good news is that these businesses can take steps NOW to avoid becoming a victim in the first place and lessen the impact if an incident does occur.
For more information, visit CISA’s small business webpage – cisa.gov/small-business – which includes specialized information and resources. If your business does fall victim to a cyber incident, you can contact CISA 24/7 at report@cisa.gov or (888) 282-0870.
Need CISA’s help but don’t know where to start? Contact the CISA Service desk.
