Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act of 2019

Floor Speech

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Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1649) to amend the Small Business Act to require cyber certification for small business development center counselors, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1649

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act of 2019''. SEC. 2. DUTIES OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER COUNSELORS.

Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``(o) Cyber Strategy Training for Small Business Development Centers.--

``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--

``(A) the term `cyber strategy' means resources and tactics to assist in planning for cybersecurity and defending against cyber risks and cyber attacks; and

``(B) the term `lead small business development center' means a small business development center that has received a grant from the Administration.

``(2) Certification program.--The Administrator shall establish a cyber counseling certification program, or approve a similar existing program, to certify the employees of lead small business development centers to provide cyber planning assistance to small business concerns.

``(3) Number of certified employees.--The Administrator shall ensure that the number of employees of each lead small business development center who are certified in providing cyber planning assistance under this subsection is not fewer than the lesser of--

``(A) 5; or

``(B) 10 percent of the total number of employees of the lead small business development center.

``(4) Consideration of small business development center cyber strategy.--In carrying out this subsection, the Administrator, to the extent practicable, shall consider any cyber strategy methods included in the Small Business Development Center Cyber Strategy developed under section 1841(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 130 Stat. 2662).

``(5) Reimbursement for certification.--

``(A) In general.--Subject to the availability of appropriations and subparagraph (B), the Administrator shall reimburse a lead small business development center for costs relating to the certification of an employee of the lead small business development center under the program established under paragraph (2).

``(B) Limitation.--The total amount reimbursed by the Administrator under subparagraph (A) may not exceed $350,000 in any fiscal year.''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1649, the Small Business Development Center Cyber Training Act of 2019, which helps Small Business Development Centers, or SBDCs, become better equipped to assist small entities with their cybersecurity needs.

Small businesses have increasingly become the targets of cyberattacks, and because of the complexity and cost associated with identifying, monitoring, and sharing information with appropriate agencies, only 31 percent of small firms have cybersecurity plans in place.

Besides access to capital, cybersecurity is one of the main impediments to entrepreneurial success. Our committee has heard many heartbreaking stories about how it took just one attack to shutter a business.

We have also heard time and time again the frustration business owners feel as they attempt to protect against ever-changing threats and navigate cyber regulations to win government contracts.

This legislation ensures that our Nation's most vulnerable businesses are prepared to combat the imminent threat from cyberattacks.

Leveraging the vast network of SBDCs and their expertise in assisting entrepreneurs from all over the country is a step in the right direction to provide education and training to business owners seeking to implement safeguards to their networks.

Mr. Speaker, I commend Ranking Member Chabot and Congressman Evans for working together on this important issue, and I ask my fellow Members to support this bill.
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Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.

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Mr. DELGADO. Mr. Speaker, cybercrime is one of the greatest risks to every business in the world. Cybercriminals have realized small entities are more exposed than larger businesses that have dedicated in-house IT personnel overseeing their systems and networks.

Unfortunately, just 14 percent of small businesses have a plan in place for keeping their company secure.

This is why Congress and the SBA must continue to make cybersecurity training and resources a top priority for our Nation's small firms.

Through H.R. 1649, U.S. small businesses will be more prepared and better protected against cyber threats.

This bill has bipartisan support and is essential to enhancing America's cyber infrastructure, by starting with the most vulnerable businesses.

Our committee remains dedicated to advancing more policies to address the cyber challenges of small employers.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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