Good news for small and midsized businesses that despair over complicated guidelines and costly solutions to managing information risk! Earlier this month, the President signed the NIST Cybersecurity Small Business Act into law. Sponsors of the S. 770 legislation include Colorado Senator Cory Gardner and others who have worked on its passage since 2017. The identical versions (from both houses) passed unanimously. Over the next year, the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) will issue widely applicable and technology neutral guidance along with a consistent set of resources to help SMBs understand and manage their security risks. NIST recommendations will “include elements that promote awareness of simple, basic controls, a workplace cybersecurity culture, and third-party stakeholder relationships.”

But you don’t have to wait to get started. Manufacturers can take advantage of the MEP program to help launch their security initiatives. It’s training grant season, so you may want to get a head start by promoting workplace cybersecurity culture today with assistance from Manufacturer’s Edge.

Here are a few easy ways to get started:

1. Attend a webinar:
   September 6, 2018 | 2 pm EST
   5 Steps to Reduce Your Company’s Risk of Cyber Attacks

   This free webinar will be hosted through Modern Machine Shop and presented by Pat Toth of NIST MEP and Jennifer Kurtz of Manufacturer’s Edge. In this webinar, Pat and Jennifer will discuss:

   1. How to identify potential security vulnerabilities, risks and threats
   2. What controls can help protect against cyber attacks
   3. What tools and resources can help detect cyber attacks
   4. How to contain, reduce damage and recover from cyber attacks

    
   Register here

2. Attend a Lunch & Learn
   September 11, 2018 | 11:30 am – 1:00 pm
   NOCO Lunch & Learn
   Mini Cybersecurity Event presented by Jennifer Kurtz, Manufacturer’s Edge
   Loveland Chamber of Commerce

   Register here

3. Simply Cyber
   Our monthly Simply Cyber tips also offer practical insights into how to make your operations safer tomorrow than they are today. Visit our Cybersecurity page to see a full listing of Simply Cyber articles.