Small companies that handle customer card data can receive a new package that helps protect them and their customers against credit card fraud.

Payment fraud is an increasing problem for small businesses, with card fraud losses totalling over £600m in the UK last year - up 14% from the pervious year's figures.

The package, from insurance group RSA, provides companies with the tools to reduce the risk of credit card fraud by protecting cardholder data and building and maintaining a secure IT network.

"Retailers currently face a great deal of challenges with fragile sales and regular and frequent changes to legislation. The threat of security attacks on their computer systems leading to the abuse of customer data is yet another growing worry and could prove costly to their reputation," said Des Cross, Retail director at RSA.