Andrew Garbarino: “I thank the chairwoman and ranking member for allowing this bill, the Small Business Development Center Cyber Training…”

“I thank the chairwoman and ranking member for allowing this bill, the Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act, to come to the floor today. I also want to thank the Representatives for their support who are cosponsors: Representatives Evans, Chabot, Houlahan, Phillips, Tenney, Delgado, Rice, and Gottheimer. Cyberattacks are on the rise, and small businesses are increasingly vulnerable. Nearly 50 percent of cyberattacks are directed at small businesses, which can result in devastating financial, intellectual property, and reputational loss. Small businesses are targeted because they often lack the resources or technical knowledge needed to implement and maintain cybersecurity defenses. This bill combats this by helping Small Business Development Centers become better equipped to assist small businesses and their cybersecurity and cyber strategy needs. Combating cyberattacks and putting small businesses in the best position to prevent and respond to cyberattacks has become one of my top priorities as a Member of Congress. As a member of both the Small Business Committee and the ranking member of the Committee on Homeland Security's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation, I have seen how difficult it is for small businesses to arm themselves against these kinds of attacks. This bill provides much-needed resources to help small businesses improve their cyber preparedness in the face of rising threats.…”