At Symantec, we operate one of the world’s largest cyber intelligence networks, which means we see more threats and protect more customers from the next generation of attacks. We help companies, governments and individuals secure their most important data wherever it lives. As we engage in assisting customers, we instill our brand vision, mission, and values into every interaction.
Cyber security is a critical issue facing businesses, institutions, and individuals across our global society. In 2015 alone, we saw a record setting total of nine megabreaches of personal data, and the reported number of exposed identities jumped to 429 million[1]. While protecting information is the purpose of our business, we also believe it should be a central element of corporate responsibility for every company in the digital age. Through our Global Intelligence Network, made up of more than 63.8 million attack sensors recording thousands of events per second, and the monitoring of threat activity in more than 157 countries and territories, we are continually serve the security needs of our customers.
In addition to educating our customers on how to leverage our world-class cybersecurity products, we often seek opportunities to educate them, their families, and communities on personal cybersecurity.
For example, as part of our community efforts to promote online safety, Symantec’s Saudi Arabia office recognized an opportunity with customer Saudi Electricity Company to offer online safety education to employees and families of the country’s primary electric utility company. With digital transformation core to the country’s “2030 Vision” safety online is a top priority for corporations and community leaders. The initiative also helped support the company’s own CR efforts for community engagement offering online safety training for children and employees of the company.
Leveraging Norton’s Online Safety in the Community materials as well as those developed in partnership with partner Common Sense Media, volunteers from Symantec’s Saudi office dedicated time to developing and localizing content for over 20 online safety sessions. In November and December of last year alone, they offered 12 Internet Security Awareness sessions across four main cities, supported by 36 Symantec volunteers.
To date, through the partnership with Saudi Electricity Company, Symantec has offered training for more than 100 children ages 6-18 years, along with 52 Saudi Electricity Company employees.
Throughout the events, we found that students and families were very interested in the subject, especially with regards to cyberbullying as the subject is not often openly discussed. For example, the students shared examples of cyberbullying among friends and were very interested how to identify and deal with such incidents.
Corporate responsibility (CR) is a key component of Symantec’s brand vision, mission and values, and strengthens our ability to build trust and loyalty with our stakeholders, including customers. Many people, including our customers, may assume that CR is a separate part of our business, when it is often integral to the value we offer customers and demonstrates our shared desire to making our world a safer place.
Symantec partners with Saudi Electricity Company to provide online safety education to employees and their families.
Eyas Hawari is Symantec’s Country Manager Saudi Arabia
[1] Symantec ISTR Report, Volume 21, 2016