House Representative Brad Schneider [D-IL] has introduced a bill, the Small Business Cybersecurity Enhancement Act (H.R. 9443), which proposes to create a loan guarantee program to help small businesses acquire cybersecurity technology and services. This would include computer hardware, software and other related technology. Eligible small businesses has been defined in the legislation as businesses that have 100 or fewer employers, have been in business for at least one year, and have obtained training from a small business development center on cybersecurity. This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
This bill would work in concert with another bill, the Small Business Cyber Training Act, which would require the Small Business Administration to ensure that its regional small business development centers have cyber counselors available to advise small businesses on cybersecurity. The Senate and House are currently resolving differences between their versions of this legislation.
