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The Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network at the University of
Wyoming is one of six nationwide recipients of a U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA) Cybersecurity for Small Business Pilot Program grant. Awardees are all state
entities that will assist small businesses in advancing cybersecurity infrastructure
and mitigating cyber threats.
The Wyoming SBDC Network’s deployment of the two-year, $1 million grant, which begins
Aug. 31, includes services that will directly address cybersecurity concerns for its
clients and small-business owners in Wyoming. The Wyoming SBDC Network will use CyberWyoming’s
Made Safe in Wyoming cybersecurity “train the trainer” program to address cybersecurity
topics.
“Our initial phase to further train and educate additional staff and partners is exciting,”
says Jill Kline, Wyoming SBDC Network state director. “We will be able to guide and
assist more clients through important cyber risk management strategies. We look forward
to gaining additional skills to support Wyoming’s entrepreneurs.”
CyberWyoming’s content will allow Wyoming SBDC Network advisers and several partner
program advisers to become certified experts in assessing their clients’ cybersecurity
needs and vulnerabilities as well as assist in developing strategies and resources
to increase their cybersecurity readiness. Any client who is developing or revising
a business plan will be assisted with developing a risk management plan that will
include in-depth cybersecurity threats or mitigation planning for cyberattacks.
According to a U.S. SBA survey, 88 percent of small-business owners felt their business
was vulnerable to a cyberattack. Yet, many businesses cannot afford professional information
technology solutions, have limited time to devote to cybersecurity or do not know
where to begin.
Others to receive the cybersecurity grants are the Colorado Office of Economic Development
and International Trade, Indiana Economic Development Corp., Ohio State University,
Old Dominion University and the Hawaii Cybersecurity Assistance for Small Businesses.
“Cyber threats can be devastating to small businesses. The SBA’s second cohort of
cybersecurity pilot grantees will help our small businesses avoid dangerous cyberattacks
that can create costly disruptions to their businesses and our nation’s supply chains
and digital infrastructure,” says Isabella Guzman, administrator of the U.S. SBA.
“The SBA’s Cybersecurity for Small Business Program leverages the full power of our
state governments, territories and institutions of higher learning to provide turnkey,
timely solutions to small businesses. I am excited to see this expansion across Colorado,
Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Hawaii and Wyoming.”
The Wyoming SBDC Network offers business expertise to help Wyoming residents think
about, launch, grow, reinvent or exit their business. The Wyoming SBDC Network is
hosted by UW with state funds from the Wyoming Business Council and funded, in part,
through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA.
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