Rep. Haley Stevens Announces $1.07 Million Cybersecurity Award to Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center

August 9, 2019
Press Release

PLYMOUTH — Today, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) announced that the Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is investing over $1 million in the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (The Center) to lead a national project to assist defense contractors in implementing cybersecurity protections needed to safeguard information being handled in defense manufacturing supply chains.

The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center, based in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District, is part of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP), a public-private partnership with Centers in all 50 states and Puerto Rico dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers by offering services like leadership trainings, technology integration, skill development, and cybersecurity assessments.

“Cybersecurity attacks are an increasingly significant threat to all types and sizes of companies, and we need to take quick action to keep the United States at the forefront of global innovation,” said Congresswoman Stevens. “The valuable work that the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center does to help small and medium manufacturers keep their businesses secure and successful through technology and planning deserves to be continued and expanded. I am thrilled that the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center is receiving the resources they need to lead this national effort.”

Background on Cybersecurity

  • In April, Congresswoman Stevens held a listening session with manufacturers at Automation Alley in Troy, MI to learn about the obstacles they are facing with implementing cybersecurity measures in their devices and production methods.
  • In June, Congresswoman Stevens hosted a House Science, Space & Technology Committee cybersecurity roundtable to examine the role and value of cybersecurity auditing in strengthening the cybersecurity of federal agencies, including the Department of Defense.
  • In July, the House unanimously adopted a Stevens-led amendment to H.R. 2500, the FY2020 National Defense Authorization Act, that would require the Department of Defense, in consultation with the Manufacturing Extension Partnership program, to develop policies to assist small- and mid-sized manufacturers to meet cybersecurity requirements.
  • Congresswoman Stevens has conducted multiple roundtable sessions at the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center to meet with small and medium-size manufacturers to hear first-hand about their challenges with cybersecurity and their need for the support of The Center.

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