The Travelers Institute, the public policy division of The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV), today launches a series of educational events across the country focusing on cybersecurity for businesses and organizations. Cyber: Prepare, Prevent, Mitigate, Restore℠ convenes industry leaders from the public and private sectors to discuss cyber risks and measures to help organizations protect their systems.

According to the 2015 Travelers Business Risk Index, cybersecurity was a top concern for businesses, yet only 33 percent had a cyber or data breach response plan.

“Securing private data is very challenging in today’s digital world, and business owners need information and tools to help prevent breaches that could threaten their operations and harm their customers and employees,” said Joan Woodward, President of the Travelers Institute and Executive Vice President of Public Policy at Travelers. “We are pleased to engage government officials, industry leaders, business owners and decision makers in an informative discussion on what companies can do to help prevent and respond to cyber breaches.”

The Cyber: Prepare, Prevent, Mitigate, Restore series begins today in Los Angeles, with Michael Echols, Director, Joint Program Management Office, Office of Cybersecurity and Communications, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who will deliver the keynote address “Effective Cybersecurity is Risk Management.” The U.S. Small Business Administration Los Angeles District Office, Hoffman Brown Company and CNET will co-host the program.

The next symposium will be held May 11 in Houston, where Jason Ritchie, Assistant Vice President, Bank Administration, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch, will deliver the keynote address “Securing Banking and Payment Systems: A View from the Federal Reserve.” The Center for Houston’s Future, BancorpSouth/GEM Insurance Services, Inc. and the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Houston Branch will co-host the program.

Each event will feature a panel discussion and offer resources for attendees to better understand and address their cybersecurity needs. Visit the Travelers Institute website for details about Cyber: Prepare, Prevent, Mitigate, Restore events.

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.