MEDIA ALERT: Visa Inc. to Promote Merchant and Consumer Education for Cyber Security Awareness Month

WHO/WHAT:

As we mark National Cyber Security Awareness Month this October, Visa (NYS: V) is reminding consumers and small business owners how to stay safe and protect their payment information online. Visa will participate alongside the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) in several events throughout the month to engage public and private sector partners to raise awareness and educate consumers and businesses about cyber security.

WHY:

The Internet is a shared resource and securing it is our collective responsibility. National Cyber Security Awareness Month is about educating consumers and businesses about the role we all play in digital protection. If each of us does our part - implementing stronger security practices, raising awareness, educating young people, training employees - we will be a more resilient and safer digital society.

WHEN/WHERE:

October 1-31, 2012

All events are open to the media

October 1

NCSA/DHS Kickoff Event: Visa to present on merchant data security best practices (Omaha, NE)

October 9

Cyber Security Workforce Development Event, including participation by Lt. Governor Gavin Newsom: Visa to speak on cyber security workforce issues (Cal Poly Pomona)

October 10

Law Enforcement Event Co-sponsored with DHS and U.S. Secret Service: Visa to discuss cyber crime and other trends affecting financial services and mitigation strategies (Miami, FL)

October 11

Twitter Chat: Cyber Crime with NCSA, the ID Theft Resource Center and the Washington State Patrol (#ChatSTC)

October 15

Business Cyber Security Forum: Visa's Chief Enterprise Risk Officer Ellen Richey will join DHS senior leadership, NCSA and Symantec, among others, to draw attention to the need for businesses to protect themselves against cyber threats (NASDAQ, New York, NY)

October 22

Cyber Security Workforce Development Event (Press Club, Washington, D.C.)