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.
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151005006142/en/
The Travelers Companies, Inc.
Judy Senechal, 860-277-2366
Cell:
860-338-1384
jlsenech@travelers.com
Source: The Travelers Companies, Inc.