News from U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe
Chair, Senate Committee on Small Business and EntrepreneurshipFor Immediate Release: August 3, 2006
Contact: Chris Chichester, 202-228-5843
SNOWE INTRODUCES BILL TO PREVENT INFORMATION SECURITY BREACHES
Legislation Creates the “Small Business Information Security Task Force”
Washington, D.C. - Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME), Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, today introduced the “Small Business Information Security Act of 2006," (S. 3786) legislation that will create the “Small Business Information Security Task Force” within the Small Business Administration to help small businesses both understand the information security challenges they face and identify resources to help meet those challenges.
“Small businesses are increasingly at risk of data breaches and other forms of malicious attacks on their information technology infrastructure,” said Senator Snowe. “The Small Business Information Security Task Force will provide resources and information to small business owners to help them overcome these obstacles and decrease the risks posed to their small businesses by cyber-criminals.”
Senator Snowe noted a 2005 survey by the Small Business Technology Institute that found more than half of all small businesses in the U.S. experienced a security breach in the last year. The study also concluded that nearly one-fifth of small businesses do not use virus-scanning for e-mail, over 60 percent do not protect their wireless networks with encryption, and two-thirds of small businesses do not have an information security plan.
The Small Business Information Security Task Force will:
* Identify information security concerns, and the services that address those concerns.
* Make recommendations to SBA.
* Inform and educate small businesses on how they can prevent information security breaches.
The SBA Administrator will appoint the Task Force Chair and Vice-Chair. The number of members will be determined by the Chair. Trade groups, subject matter experts, academics, government employees, trade associations, and vendors will be represented on the Task Force. The Task Force must meet at least two times per year, but has the authority to meet as many times as necessary to perform its duties.
###
