Travelers Institute Focuses on Cyber Security at Small Business – Big Opportunity

October 5, 2015

Leaders from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and HUB International to Participate in Panel on Cyber Risks

RIVERSIDE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV), will host a Small Business – Big Opportunity symposium in Riverside, California, today, giving special attention to cyber security for small and medium-sized businesses. The U.S. Small Business Administration Santa Ana District Office, Small Business California and the Inland Empire Small Business Development Center are partnering with the Travelers Institute on the event.

“Cyber risks are very real for all businesses, particularly small organizations, which may be considered easy targets by hackers,” said Joan Woodward, President of the Travelers Institute and Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers. “During this National Cyber Security Awareness Month, we are pleased to join our partners and provide information that can help entrepreneurs protect their operations.”

John Farley, Vice President and Practice Leader, Cyber Risk Management Services, Risk Services Division, HUB International, added, “Studies indicate it takes nearly 200 days, on average, to detect an advanced cyber threat – enough time for hackers to do significant damage and access very sensitive data, including trade secrets. This could be enough to shut a small business down.”

Opening remarks will be given by Rusty Bailey, Mayor of Riverside, and J. Adalberto Quijada, Director, Santa Ana District Office, U.S. Small Business Administration. The keynote address will be delivered by Garner Holt, President of Garner Holt Productions.

The event also will feature a panel discussion, “Finding Solutions to Small Business Challenges.” Participants will include:

  • Moderator: Joan Woodward, President, Travelers Institute; Executive Vice President, Public Policy, The Travelers Companies, Inc.
  • Michael Echols, Director, Joint Program Management Office, National Protection and Program Directorate, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
  • John Farley, Vice President and Practice Leader, Cyber Risk Management Services, Risk Services Division, HUB International
  • Rusty Bailey, Mayor of Riverside
  • Garner Holt, President, Garner Holt Productions
  • Vincent McCoy, Director, Inland Empire Small Business Development Center

Launched by the Travelers Institute in 2011, the Small Business – Big Opportunity series convenes thought leaders, industry experts and small business owners around the country to discuss strategies for overcoming entrepreneurial challenges, including access to capital, the regulatory environment, business continuity planning and cyber risks.

To learn more about the series and Travelers’ small business advocacy, visit: www.travelersinstitute.org/smallbusiness.

About the U.S. Small Business Administration Santa Ana District Office

As the senior voice for small business, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps Americans start, build and grow businesses that create jobs and power our economy forward. Since 1953, the SBA has delivered millions of loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling sessions and other forms of assistance to small businesses. The Santa Ana District Office is the nation’s No. 2 lending office, supporting over $1.3 billion in access to capital last fiscal year.

About Small Business California

Small Business California (SB Cal) is a proactive non-partisan business advocacy organization whose only agenda is the wellbeing of California small businesses. Working for all California small businesses, SB Cal is responsive to the needs of California small businesses.

About Inland Empire Small Business Development Center

The Inland Empire Small Business Development Center (SBDC) delivers quality consulting, instructive and relevant training and invaluable resources to thousands of existing and aspiring business owners each year. As a federally sponsored program with local cash match partnerships, the Inland Empire SBDC is able to provide services to small business owners across the Inland Empire at little or no cost. This year alone, the Inland Empire SBDC has helped establish more than 30 businesses in the Inland Empire, create over 250 jobs and secure $21+ million in capital infusion.

About the Travelers Institute

The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc., engages in discussion and analysis of public policy topics of importance to the insurance marketplace and to the financial services industry more broadly. The Travelers Institute draws upon the industry expertise of Travelers’ senior management, as well as the technical expertise of many of Travelers’ underwriters, risk managers and other experts to provide information, analysis and solutions to public policymakers and regulators. Travelers is a leading provider of property casualty insurance for auto, home and business. For more information, visit www.travelers.com.

The Travelers Companies, Inc.
Judy Senechal, 860-277-2366
Cell: 860-338-1384
jlsenech@travelers.com

Source: The Travelers Companies, Inc.