FCC Launches Small Biz Cyber Planner, A New Easy-To-Use Online Resource To Empower Small Businesses With Cybersecurity Plans

NEWS Federal Communications Commission.November 17, 2011.Washington, D.C. – Today, as part of an unprecedented collaboration with government experts and private IT and security companies, the FCC is releasing the Small Biz Cyber Planner, a new easy-to-use online tool to help small businesses customize their own cybersecurity plans. The online tool is available at www.fcc.gov/cyberplanner.

The Small Biz Cyber Planner online resource will enable any small business to create a customized guide tailored to its cybersecurity needs by answering a few basic questions. By using this tool and implementing the planning guide, businesses can protect themselves, their information, and their
customers from cyber threats.

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said, “With larger companies increasing their online defenses, small businesses are now the low hanging fruit for cyber criminals. This tool will be of particular value for businesses that lack the resources to hire a dedicated staff member to protect themselves from cyberthreats. Even a business with one computer can benefit from this important guidance.”

The new online tool was developed as part of a collaboration with government experts and private IT and security companies, including DHS, NCSA, The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, The Chertoff Group, Symantec, Sophos, Visa, Microsoft, HP, McAfee, The Identity Theft Council, ADP and others.

In October, as part of National Cybersecurity Month, FCC Chairman Genachowski joined The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and several corporate executives to announce this initiative. At the event, Symantec and The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) announced the results of a new survey finding that while 85 percent of small businesses think their companies are cyber-secure, barely half of these businesses actually have a cybersecurity strategy or plan in place.

Also this month, Hewlett Packard is distributing the FCC’s Cybersecurity Tip Sheet through its HP.com Security Center, its small business newsletter, and via the HP Support Assistant, an application preinstalled on most HP PC’s. This distribution by Hewlett Packard will reach millions of small business
owners.

For more information, including the FCC Small Business Cybersecurity Tip Sheet to help small businesses understand basic cybersecurity precautions, visit www.fcc.gov/cyberforsmallbiz.