(TNS) – The Ohio Development Department announced this week the launch of Cybersecure, a new program designed to help small businesses strengthen their cybersecurity and prepare for the next changes in federal contracting requirements.
“We have seen firsthand the devastating impact that cyber attacks can have on working companies, putting their operations and results at risk,” said Lydia Mihalik, director of Development. “That is why we are providing Ohio businessmen with the tools they need to strengthen their cybersecurity, protect their businesses and unlock new opportunities in the defense market.”
Cybersegure is part of the Cyberohio initiative of Governor Dewine, which was created to improve cybersecurity practices in state agencies and local entities. Through an association with Ohio Apex accelerators and the Small Business Development Centers of Ohio, the new cybersecurity program provides up to 60 hours of free and individual consulting to help companies improve their digital safety, establish or maintain their presence in the defense market and navigate the new requirements of the Cybernetic Maturity model 2.0.
The United States Department of Defense is implementing CMMC 2.0, which will soon require companies that seek government contracts to be federally certified in cybersecurity. This certification is designed to enforce the protectial information not classified by the department with its contractors and subcontractors.
Although the Cybersecure program does not serve as a third -party certification entity, it takes advantage of the Ohio Apex accelerators network and the Ohio small businesses development centers to offer eligible companies an initial consultation of 10 free 10 hours with cyber security professionals qualified in custom cybersecurity protection strategies and comprehensive cybersecurity evaluations.
Eligibility:
Profit business in Ohio
- Independent property and operation for at least a year
- Between two and 500 employees (or comply with the management size standards of small applicable companies)
- Registered in a local local and/or Ohio Apex accelerator development center
- Expanding to commercial and governmental markets
For questions about program contact cybersecure@development.ohio.gov.
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