Detroit City Wire

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced it will host its third annual Small Business Cyber Summit on October 16 and 23. This free cybersecurity series aims to equip America's 34 million small businesses with the necessary tools and resources to enhance their cybersecurity infrastructure, aligning with the Biden-Harris Administration’s National Cybersecurity Strategy.

In collaboration with multiple federal agencies, the summit will provide hands-on advice, interactive forensic assessments, and panel discussions featuring cyber-experts who will discuss available local and federal resources for entrepreneurs across the country.

“The rapidly changing landscape of the digital world poses new and evolving risks for small businesses. Fortunately, the SBA is poised to assist small businesses in preparing robust defenses to overcome these challenges and avoid costly disruptions,” said Acting Associate Administrator for SBA’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development Aditi Dussault. “The SBA’s Small Business Cyber Summit is designed to provide entrepreneurs with the expertise and resources necessary to ensure they are fully equipped to face these vexatious threats. During the summit, we will feature a wide range of tools, resources, and programming from SBA’s network of trusted experts, federal and state government partners, and other innovators across multiple industrial sectors.”

Registration for the event is open to all at no cost. Interested participants can sign up at https://bit.ly/SBACyberSummit2024.

The summit will include digestible segments where attendees can network and access practical tips, problem-solving strategies, industry trends, threat avoidance techniques, and testimonials from small business owners on defending against cyberattacks.

Cyberattacks present a growing threat to small businesses and the U.S. economy. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Report, cybercrimes against small businesses cost $4.57 billion in 2023—a 38% increase from the previous year.

Small businesses are particularly attractive targets due to their valuable information coupled with typically weaker security infrastructures compared to larger enterprises. Surveys indicate that many small business owners feel vulnerable to cyberattacks but lack affordable professional IT solutions or knowledge on where to begin addressing cybersecurity issues.

The third annual SBA Cyber Summit aims to address these challenges by offering turnkey solutions for small business owners.