An economic development agency in Colorado is among six recipients of federal grants for a pilot program to assist small businesses with cybersecurity.

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade will receive $1 million in funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration for the program.

“Cyber threats can be devastating to small businesses. The SBA’s second cohort of cybersecurity pilot grantees will help our small businesses avoid dangerous cyber attacks that can create costly disruptions to their businesses and our nation’s supply chains and digital infrastructure,” said Isabella Casillas Guzman, administrator of the 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. And I am excited to see this expansion across Colorado, Indiana, Ohio, Virginia, Hawaii and Wyoming,” Guzman said.

The other five recipients of $1 million each were the Indiana Economic Development Corp., Ohio State University, Old Dominion University, State of Hawaii Cybersecurity Assistance for Small Businesses and University of Wyoming.

An FBI report estimated the cost of cyber crimes against small businesses in the United States at $2.4 billion in 2021. Small businesses constitute attractive targets because they have information criminals want, but often lack the security of larger businesses.

According to the results of an SBA survey, 88 percent of small business owners said their operations were vulnerable to cyber attacks.

The U.S. Small Business Administration will host a free virtual cybersecurity summit every Wednesday in October at which public and private sector experts will help small businesses avoid cyber attacks. To register, visit www.sba.gov/business-guide/manage-your-busines/strengthen-your-cybersecurity.