FCC Launches the Small Biz Cyber Planner

Yesterday, the FCC launched its Small Biz Cyber Planner, an online resource to help small businesses create customized cybersecurity plans. The online tool is available at fcc.gov/cyberplanner.

The Small Biz Cyber Planner walks users through a series of questions to determine which cybersecurity strategies to include in the business’s planning guide, and then creates a customized PDF for the business.

According to a survey released in October 2011 by Symantec and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), two-thirds of U.S. small businesses rely on high-speed internet for their day-to-day operations. The survey found that 85 percent of small businesses think their companies are cyber-secure, but barely half of these businesses have a cybersecurity strategy or plan in place, and nearly 80 percent say they lack a written Internet security policy. With larger companies increasing their online defenses, small businesses are now the low hanging fruit for cyber criminals, and many may have a false sense of security. 

In addition to the planner, the FCC and a coalition of public and private-sector partners developed a cybersecurity tip sheet, which includes tips to educate business owners about basic steps they can take immediately to protect their companies. And the Federal Trade Commission’s Business Center Blog is a great resource for timely compliance tips on advertising, telemarketing, credit, data security, and other need-to-know topics for businesses.

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