The state has received federal funding for an initiative that aims to help small local businesses increase cybersecurity. The U.S. Small Business Administration has awarded a $936,000 grant to the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism as part of the Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program.
According to a recent announcement from DBEDT, the funding will enable the department to provide cybersecurity services to small businesses at no cost. Services through the program, Cybersafe Hawaii, will include IT assessments, employee training, Wi-Fi upgrades and more.
In the announcement, DBEDT noted that small businesses are uniquely vulnerable to cybersecurity threats.
“Both large and small businesses are potential targets of these cyberattacks but small businesses typically do not possess the financial capacity to ensure their networks are secure,” DBEDT said in the announcement. “Unfortunately, cyber criminals know this and are increasingly targeting small businesses through ransomware attacks, phishing schemes, denial of service efforts, and other cyber-related activities.
According to DBEDT, funding is available to provide services for “at least” 70 businesses.
“The threats posed by cyber criminals to our small business community are real,” DBEDT Director James Tokioka said in a statement. “Now is the time to take action to ensure your computer networks are secure and your employees are trained on good online hygiene practices. Through the Cybersafe Hawaii project, DBEDT and our partners will work on enhancing the cyber posture of our small business community.”
For more information and to apply to the program, click here.
