Small Biz Cyber Planner 2.0

As part of National Cybersecurity Month, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski unveiled an updated 2.0 version of the Federal Communications Commission’s ‘Small Biz Cyber Planner,’ a free and easy-to-use online resource for any small business owner who wants to better protect their business from the growing threat of cybersecurity attacks.

Launched in 2011, the tool has already been used by nearly 10,000 businesses across the country to create customized cybersecurity plans. New research by Symantec, an FCC Cybersecurity Outreach Partner, indicates that nearly 83% of U.S. small businesses have no cybersecurity protection plan – despite the fact that millions of cyberattacks occur each year. Chairman Genachowski urged all small business owners to take advantage of this valuable resource, and also announced new and renewed partnerships with public and private sector organizations, including Symantec, eBay, Visa, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA), and others.

The FCC’s online cyber planner enables business owners to create and download a customized plan - to protect themselves from online threats which could significantly damage their companies – by answering 12 simple questions. The updated cyber planner features new details about cyber insurance to mitigate interruptions to business and financial loss from cyberattacks, and best practices on spyware, including how to avoid advanced versions of spyware. It also incorporates the immediate steps to take in case of infection, and recommendations on installing new software systems that enable users to remotely track and erase the hard drive of laptops and mobile devices in the event of theft.