New Features of Cyber Planner Unveiled Today to Offer Better Protections for Nearly 83% of U.S. Small Businesses With No Cybersecurity Plan

As part of National Cybersecurity Month, Chairman Julius Genachowski of the Federal Commmications Commission (FCC)  unveiled an updated 2.0 version of the Commission’s ‘Small Biz Cyber Planner,’ a free and easy-to-use online resource for any small business owner who wants to better protect their business from the growing threat of cybersecurity attacks.

Launched in 2011, the tool has already been used by nearly 10,000 businesses across the country to create customized cybersecurity plans. New research by Symantec, an FCC Cybersecurity Outreach Partner, indicates that nearly 83% of U.S. small businesses have no cybersecurity protection plan – despite the fact that millions of cyber attacks occur each year.

Chairman Genachowski urged all small business owners to take advantage of this valuable resource, and also announced new and renewed partnerships with public and private sector organizations, including Symantec, eBay, Visa, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), and others.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said: “America’s small businesses are vital drivers of innovation, economic growth, and job creation – and they’re using the Internet more and more every day. While broadband is creating significant opportunities for small businesses, the cost of cyber attacks are a real concern. We know that not having a plan leaves small businesses vulnerable to cyber attacks. The good news is that small business owners can take simple steps to protect themselves. By making a plan using the FCC’s updated Small Biz Cyber Planner, small businesses can quickly strengthen their online defenses.”

The Commission’s online cyber planner enables business owners to create and download a customized plan - to protect themselves from online threats which could significantly damage their companies - by answering 12 simple questions.

The updated cyber planner features new details about cyber insurance to mitigate interruptions to business and financial loss from cyber attacks, and best practices on spyware, including how to avoid advanced versions of spyware.  It also incorporates the immediate steps to take in case of infection, and recommendations on installing new software systems that enable users to remotely track and erase the hard drive of laptops and mobile devices in the event of theft.  The FCC is also releasing an updated cybersecurity tip sheet today.  This resource features new tips on creating a mobile device action plan, and on payment and credit card security.

The FCC’s Small Biz Cyber Planner, which was initially launched by Chairman Genachowski in November 2011, has been updated to include the latest security information for small businesses to help keep confidential data secure and out of the hands of cyber criminals.  The FCC worked closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), eBay, the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), the US Chamber of Commerce, Symantec, Visa, and other groups to update the cyber planner and its Small Business Cybersecurity Tip Sheet.

Cyber protection is especially important as surveys show that two-thirds of U.S. small businesses have become more dependent on the Internet over the past few years as the broadband economy and advanced communications infrastructure continues to expand across America.

The FCC’s updated online tools also follow Chairman Genachowski’s convening last year of a Cybersecurity Roundtable on Protecting Small Businesses with leading industry executives and government experts in cybersecurity and information technology.

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