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HR 8880

Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act of 2026

119th Congress Introduced by Lateefah Simon

The bill requires a GAO study to evaluate how federal cybersecurity resources reach small businesses, including gaps, coordination, and effectiveness, with actionable recommendatio

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
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Bill Summary · HR 8880

Overview

Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act of 2026 (H.R. 8880) would require the Comptroller General (GAO) to study and report on federal cybersecurity assistance available to small business concerns. The aim is to assess current initiatives, tools, and services designed to help small businesses identify risks, prepare for and recover from cyber incidents, and access capital for cybersecurity measures.

Purpose and Intent

  • Improve understanding of how federal cybersecurity resources reach small businesses.
  • Identify gaps, coordination challenges, and effectiveness of existing programs.
  • Provide actionable recommendations to enhance awareness, coordination, and impact of federal assistance.

Key Provisions

  • GAO Study (Section 2)

    • Scope: Review current federal cybersecurity initiatives, programs, resources, tools, and services intended for small business concerns as defined by the Small Business Act.
    • Focus Areas (a) through (c):
    • (a) Identify cyber risks, threats, and vulnerabilities facing small businesses.
    • (b) Assess preparedness for these risks and plan for mitigation and recovery from cyberattacks, social engineering, scams, and fraud (including cybersecurity measures, training, protocols, tools, infrastructure).
    • (c) Identify sources of capital or financing to support those activities.
    • Required Content (b):
    • Common cyberattacks affecting small businesses.
    • Description of federal initiatives, programs, resources, tools, and services.
    • Awareness and use by small businesses, plus reasons for utilization gaps.
    • Coordination and integration among federal initiatives.
    • Effectiveness in aiding risk identification, preparedness, mitigation, and recovery.
    • Foundational cybersecurity concepts possibly missing from federal offerings.
    • Recommendations to improve effectiveness, awareness, and coordination.
    • Report (c): GAO must submit findings and recommendations to the House Committee on Small Business and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

  • Compliance with CUTGO (Section 3)

    • No new authorizations of appropriations are provided to carry out the act.

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Small business concerns (the primary beneficiaries): improved access to and clarity on federal cybersecurity assistance.
  • Federal agencies providing cybersecurity resources: potential assessment of coordination and gaps to inform future outreach and program design.
  • Policymakers and advocates for small business cybersecurity: gain a consolidated evaluation to inform legislation or administrative actions.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Introduction and Referral: Introduced in the House (May 19, 2026); referred to the Committee on Small Business.
  • Committee Action: Reported favorably by the Committee on Small Business (May 20, 2026) with a roll-call vote 23-0.
  • Senate Action: Received in the Senate (June 24, 2026) and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
  • Funding: The measure does not authorize new funding; it directs an evaluative GAO study using existing resources.

Additional Context

  • The accompanying House report emphasizes the need for coordinated, accessible cybersecurity assistance for small businesses and references prior legislative efforts to bolster small-business cyber training and resources.
  • The bill aligns with ongoing concerns about rising cyber threats to small firms and the complexity of navigating federal programs.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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