OREANDA-NEWS. 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.