Young introduces bipartisan cybersecurity funding bill for small defense manufacturers

U.S. Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) last week unveiled his chamber’s version of a bipartisan bill that would provide federal funding assistance to small manufacturers in the defense industrial supply chain for cybersecurity services.

“I’m proud to support this legislation to enable Indiana businesses in the defense supply chain, which employ tens of thousands of Hoosiers, to meet needed cybersecurity requirements and lower barriers of entry for aspiring industry leaders from across the state,” Sen. Young said.

On Sept. 16, Sen. Young signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the Small Manufacturer Cybersecurity Enhancement Act, S. 4598, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV), which would authorize the U.S. Department of Defense to provide financial assistance to Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers for cybersecurity services to help small manufacturers in the defense supply chain. 

U.S. Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) and Joe Wilson (R-SC) on June 18 introduced the same-named companion bill, H.R. 7265, in their chamber.

“America’s critical defense industrial base is under a constant cyber threat from our adversaries, and the burden of defending against these threats is heaviest on small businesses,” said Sen. Young. “In Indiana, this bill will allow the Manufacturing Extension Partnership to build upon the valuable work it is already doing to bring more small businesses into compliance with federal cybersecurity standards.”

The proposed federal assistance under the proposed bill could be used to promote awareness, assessment, evaluation, preparation, and implementation of cybersecurity services; achieve compliance with cybersecurity requirements; and hire trained personnel, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Young’s office.

The American Small Manufacturers Coalition has endorsed the legislation.