The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. said it has launched a free interactive e-security Web class to help businesses limit their vulnerability to cyber attack.

According to the Hartford-based company, the class was developed with Symantec Corp., a producer of software and services that address risks to security, availability, compliance and performance.

“Most businesses these days are concerned with e-security issues, but only a small portion of them do anything about it,” said Jim Ruel, senior vice president of small-business insurance at The Hartford.

Mr. Ruel noted: “Few of the nation's 6.4 million small businesses can afford a security specialist, so successfully protecting a business' network, customer information and Web site often depends on a business owner's own savvy. Spending the 15-to-20 minutes taking this user-friendly class can provide valuable insights that lessen the likelihood of data theft, network downtime and other serious security issues.”

“The Internet, in some instances, can be a mixed blessing for business,” added Mr. Ruel. “While nothing matches its efficiency to provide information, showcase products and spur sales, a successful hacker attack can just as efficiently grind business to a halt,” he said. “We created the e-security Web class with help from Symantec to show small-business owners the risks they face each time they open their e-mail or fill an order from the Web.”

According to Mark Piening, senior director, Worldwide Small & Medium Business Marketing, at Symantec Corp., “Late last year we noticed a rise in data theft, data leakage and malicious code designed to steal confidential information, all targeted specifically at small and midsized businesses. This security seminar shows business owners some simple steps to help protect their systems and data.”

Among the features offered in the Web class are:

o A description of the major types of e-security risks like viruses, worms, Trojan horses and spam.

o A list of common ways to identify problematic e-mails.

o A tool to help calculate direct costs of Internet risks, including time wasted reviewing spam and disruption of workflow when systems are brought down by a cyber attack.

o An explanation of the types of e-security measures small businesses should consider that encompasses a combination of hardware, software and insurance protection.

o A downloadable list of 10 workplace practices to help strengthen e-security.

The interactive class is available at www.sb.thehartford.com, The Hartford's Web site for small businesses.

Also on the site are a new hurricane preparedness Webinar covering suggested actions to take before and after a hurricane, a customizable disaster recovery plan tool, an eBusiness Risk Analyzer, an insurance jargon translator and core coverage information for business owners.

Special Reports /

Hartford Offers e-Security Class

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