Enhancing Security Measures

Is Cybersecurity Just an IT Issue? Think Again. Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT problem—it’s a business-wide concern. The rise of sophisticated cyber threats means every department plays a role in protecting sensitive data and maintaining trust. Here’s why cybersecurity needs to be everyone’s priority: → It’s No Longer Just About IT Systems Cyber threats can come from anywhere. Human error, often due to inadequate training, is responsible for many breaches. Phishing attacks target employees across all departments, making widespread awareness and training critical. → Interconnected Systems = Shared Risk Organizations rely on interconnected systems. A breach in one area—like HR or marketing—can compromise the entire organization. Everyone must understand their role in securing data. → Leadership Sets the Tone For cybersecurity to work, leadership must champion a security-first culture. This means fostering cross-departmental collaboration and encouraging employees to report threats without fear of reprisal. → Training Is Non-Negotiable Cybersecurity isn’t a one-off event. Ongoing, tailored training for all departments is necessary to keep up with evolving threats and maintain a secure environment. The lesson? Cybersecurity is a team effort that requires leadership, awareness, and continuous learning. Let’s rethink cybersecurity—making it a priority across every department to safeguard our future.

Until late last year, I used to informally coach executives, mid-career and new entrants in tech on career advancement and impact. During this time of economic anxiety, these sessions are like an XRay/EKG/MRI into America’s professional psyche. A short while ago, an executive told me that the most frustrating part of her job was dealing with cyber-security and privacy teams. Considering my alleged expertise in these domains, she asked me why folks working in those teams tend to be holier-than-thou sanctimonious empathy-lacking jerks. Her language was more colorful, but I digress.. I had to ask what she meant. She said that while well-intentioned, too many privacy/security experts consider “the business” to be the enemy. They talk down to the product and engineering teams, implying that they don’t care about the customer. They accuse these teams of putting the business at risk by violating customer trust. The reality is that even if some business leaders are myopic when it comes to security and privacy, you still will not advance your cause by making enemies out of them. If you work in security and privacy, you need to explain the risks, understand the tradeoffs and recommend solutions. Rather than treating privacy as a holy cause, think of it as a feature that has many possible permutations and outcomes. You need to offer solutions and ideas rather than lectures and solutions. That way, you can first build trust with your teammates, and then collectively build trust with your customers. There will still be strong disagreements, but those need to occur with trust as a foundation and collaboration as a scaffolding. As much as I like an ethics-driven approach to privacy and security, I like an outcome-driven approach just as much. Remember: “Principles without pragmatism” makes you impactless and “Pragmatism without principles” makes you directionless.

For too long, we’ve approached cybersecurity as roadblocks in the interest of keeping the business safe, which is a terrible way of looking at it. That’s why I love recent pushes to make things secure AND convenient for users (hello passkeys!) Microsoft is doubling down on this with an upcoming feature called Administration Protection. The problem they saw was that many companies (and certainly for personal systems) give users administrative permissions for their accounts on their systems. It’s great for the user as they can install their own apps and go about their day-to-day with little friction. Great for users but more work for security teams as users can more easily install malware that can lead to nasty things like full-fledged ransomware attacks. With administrator protection, users can operate as non-administrative users. When something needs to run as admin, like installing a new application, the user is prompted to authorize the change. This grants temporary admin access and is immediately revoked after the action is completed. Of course, this won’t stop a user from accidentally installing malware, but it does help introduce just the right amount of friction if malware gets installed on a system and is trying to do some sneaky things that require admin privileges. As Microsoft put it, “Administrator protection helps ensure that users, and not malware, remain in control of system resources.” Let’s continue to find these win-win scenarios where security increases while improving the user experience, or at least not making it worse. ------------------------------ 📝 Don’t miss the latest in cyber and AI with my weekly newsletter 👆 Subscribe with the link at the top of the post

I never thought it would happen to me. One day, I noticed a spike in chargebacks. I knew something was wrong, but I didn’t know what. I started by investigating the types of fraud we were experiencing. From fake accounts to transaction fraud, it was overwhelming. Here’s how to detect and prevent fraud at every stage of the customer journey: Stage 1: Data Collection Data is your first line of defense. • Gather as much user data as possible. • Track device information, IP addresses, and user behavior. • Monitor changes in user activity. Understanding user patterns helps in identifying anomalies early. Stage 2: Basic Risk Scoring Identify low-hanging fruit. • Use simple rules to score transactions. • Look for mismatched billing and shipping addresses. • Flag unusual purchasing behaviors. This stage catches the most obvious fraud attempts. Stage 3: Dynamic Friction Balance security and user experience. • Implement step-up authentication for suspicious activities. • Use dynamic risk based routing • Introduce verification processes at critical points. Dynamic friction helps reduce fraud without hurting conversion rates. Stage 4: Advanced Analytics Deep dive into data for insights. • Use machine learning to detect patterns. • Analyze transaction histories and behaviors. • Integrate third-party data sources for enhanced detection. Advanced analytics provide a comprehensive view of potential threats. Stage 5: Continuous Optimization Stay ahead of evolving threats. • Regularly update your fraud detection rules. • A/B Test and refine your strategies. • Stay informed about new fraud techniques and trends. Continuous testing ensures your not two steps behind fraudsters. A comprehensive fraud strategy requires a layered approach.

Cybersecurity isn’t just an IT issue—it's everyone's responsibility. Here are the best practices for training your employees to stay secure: 🔸 Start with the Basics Ensure all employees understand common threats like phishing, malware, and social engineering. 🔸Make Training Ongoing Cyber threats evolve, so should your training. Regular sessions keep employees updated on the latest risks. 🔸Use Real-World Scenarios Simulate phishing attacks and other threats. Practical exercises help employees recognize dangers in real-time. 🔸Tailor Training to Roles Different departments face different risks. Customize training for each role to make it relevant. 🔸Foster a Security-First Culture Encourage employees to report suspicious activities and promote a culture where security is prioritized. 🔸Test and Reinforce Knowledge Conduct periodic tests to assess knowledge retention and reinforce key lessons. Investing in employee training is key to building a human firewall. Strong defenses start with well-informed teams!

Cybersecurity is a team sport. No single tool, policy, or individual can protect an organization alone. It takes collaboration across teams, departments, and even industries to stay ahead of threats. Here’s why teamwork is critical in cybersecurity: 1️⃣ Threats evolve—so must we. Cybercriminals collaborate and share tactics. We need to do the same by fostering knowledge-sharing within and outside our organizations. 2️⃣ Security isn’t just an technology (IT or IS) issue. Every employee plays a role in defense. Training, clear communication, and a culture of security help prevent breaches. 3️⃣ Incident response is a team effort. From detection to containment and recovery, security teams must work seamlessly with IT, legal, PR, and leadership to minimize impact. 4️⃣ Diverse perspectives improve defense. Security teams with varied backgrounds, skills, and viewpoints are better at identifying risks and finding creative solutions. 5️⃣ Zero-trust requires 100% collaboration. Implementing least privilege, continuous monitoring, and strong authentication depends on cooperation between security, developers, and operations teams. 6️⃣ Partnerships strengthen resilience. Engaging with vendors, industry peers, and intelligence-sharing groups improves threat detection and response capabilities. Cybersecurity isn’t just about technology—it’s about people working together to protect data, systems, and organizations. Let’s build stronger security teams by fostering collaboration, communication, and trust. How does teamwork play a role in your security strategy? Let’s discuss! #CyberSecurity #Teamwork #Collaboration #CyberResilience

Here’s something that breaks every “UX rule.” The more secure customers FEEL, the more they spend at checkout. Even if it means extra steps. Our very own Matt Vega outlined why in a recent podcast interview with Fraudology. After studying checkout flows at 6 separate companies, he found the same mindsets. - Marketing: "Friction kills conversions" - Fraud: "Verification prevents losses" - Leadership: "Just make it work" We've been asking the wrong question entirely Matt added 'tactical friction' across multiple companies - smart verification triggers on high-value transactions ($1,000+). The results broke every assumption: ↗️ 23% increase in transaction value ↗️ 15% improvement in customer lifetime value ↗️ DECREASED churn rates That’s ROI When customers hit verification steps for big purchases, they didn't get annoyed. They got confident. Customer research revealed: 'If they're protecting my $1,000 purchase this carefully, I trust them with more.’ Checkout the Fraudology podcast to hear the whole thing!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝘀 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 (𝗖𝗧𝗙)? As payments expand, securing card-not-present (CNP) transactions across multiple devices is paramount. Visa's Cloud Token Framework (CTF) addresses this need by enhancing payment security and user experience. 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗧𝗼𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 CTF builds upon Visa's existing network tokenization infrastructure. Network tokens replace PANs with tokens, reducing the risk of data breaches. CTF extends this by introducing: ▪️Device Binding → Associates a token with a specific device, ensuring that the token is only usable from that device. ▪️Cardholder Verification → Incorporates biometric or other verification methods to confirm the user's identity. This layered approach enhances security by ensuring that both the device and the user are authenticated. 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀 🔹Reduced Fraud → Device binding and Strong Customer Authentication (SCA) significantly lower the risk of unauthorized transactions. 🔹Improved Customer Experience → Streamlines the checkout process by reducing the need for repeated authentication, leading to higher conversion rates. 🔹Enhanced Data Security → Minimizes the storage and transmission of sensitive card data, aligning with PCI DSS compliance requirements. 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗶𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗵𝗶𝗳𝘁 ▪️CTF enables merchants to achieve liability shift by incorporating SCA directly into the transaction process. ▪️By combining device binding with cardholder verification such as biometrics, CTF satisfies SCA requirements, resulting in liability shift from the merchant to the issuer. 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 🔹Multi-Device Security → Ensures consistent security across various devices, accommodating the modern consumer's shopping habits. 🔹Future-Proofing → Positions merchants to adapt to evolving security standards and consumer expectations. 🔹Trust Building → Enhances consumer confidence by providing a secure and seamless payment experience. 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗲: 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 📌 A travel booking platform integrates CTF to safeguard large, CNP transactions: ▪️Device Binding → When a customer first books a trip using the app, a network token is provisioned and bound to the user’s device ▪️Cardholder Verification → For every booking above a certain value threshold, biometric auth is triggered, verifying the identity of the user. ▪️SCA Compliance → By combining these elements, the transaction satisfies SCA, enabling liability shift to the issuer ▪️Friction When It Matters → Users expect and accept a bit more friction for high value purchases, especially if it improves security and trust. Sources: Visa, Thales, Howard Xiao 🚨Follow Jason Heister for daily #Fintech and #Payments guides, technical breakdowns, and industry insights.

What REI Can Teach Us About Security Culture and Human Risk Management I’ve been thinking about how REI’s cooperative model creates a sense of ownership and investment among employees and customers—and how businesses can apply the same approach to security and human risk management. What if security wasn’t just a mandate from the top but a shared responsibility that employees want to be part of? Here’s how organizations can build a security culture that mirrors REI’s success. 1. Make Security a Shared Mission, Not a Mandate ➡️ REI thrives because members believe in the brand and its values. Companies should build security into their culture as a shared responsibility, not a top-down enforcement. ➡️ How? Frame security as part of the company’s success story—“we all have skin in the game.” Show how strong security protects jobs, customers, and the company’s reputation. 2. Empower Employees as Security Stakeholders ➡️ Employees should feel like they have a vested interest in security, not just be passive rule-followers. ➡️ Consider incentives like bonuses for reporting phishing attempts, public recognition, or gamified security awareness. 3. Get Executive Buy-In Through Business Alignment ➡️ Just as REI values employee engagement, security leaders must show the C-suite that security investments protect revenue, trust, and brand value by tying metrics to business goals. 4. Foster a Culture of Trust and Psychological Safety ➡️ REI fosters a culture where employees feel valued, while security cultures fail when fear drives behavior. Shift from shame-based training to reinforcing learning and support. 5. Invest in Practical, Engaging Training ➡️ Just as REI educates employees and customers on outdoor safety because it aligns with their brand, security training should be relevant and engaging—scenario-based, role-specific, and focused on how it impacts employees’ data, jobs, and company success. 6. Build an Ownership Model for Security ➡️ Develop internal security champions and give employees a voice in shaping policies. Transparent communication about risks and protections fosters shared ownership. 7. Measure and Celebrate Success ➡️ Track KPIs like phishing resilience, reporting rates, and security compliance. Celebrate improvements just as you would with revenue or customer satisfaction. By treating security like REI treats its cooperative model—focusing on engagement, ownership, and shared responsibility—organizations can transform security from a burden into a core value that employees genuinely embrace. Thoughts? #rei #humanrisk #organizationalculture #securityculture #cybersecurity

Security Awareness That Actually Works: The Marketing Approach Rethinking Security Awareness Traditional security awareness programs often fall short because they rely on mandatory training sessions and lengthy newsletters that employees quickly tune out. But what if we approached security awareness differently? What if we treated it like marketing? In marketing, we craft messages to engage, capture attention, and influence behavior. With security awareness, your employees are your customers—and you need to market security practices to them effectively. The Marketing Mindset for Security Successful security awareness requires: - Making security visible and accessible - Creating engaging, memorable experiences - Building real relationships between the security team and employees - Delivering messages in formats people actually consume Strategies That Work On-Site or On-Line Events That Engage Host interactive events like “Spin the Wheel” games with security questions and prizes. When employees get answers right, they win something tangible—and leave with a positive association with security. Put Faces to the Security Team Make sure everyone knows who your security team is. When something feels off—like a suspicious email or strange laptop behavior—employees will remember the friendly faces they met and feel comfortable reaching out. Visual Reminders That Stick Use eye-catching posters and run quick security tips on office TVs and conference room screens. Keep the content short, actionable, and friendly—not fear-based or overly technical. Meet Employees Where They Are If you’re a Slack culture, stay present there. Share timely reminders, run polls, start conversations, and invite feedback. The goal is two-way engagement, not broadcasting. The Secret Ingredient: A Security Marketing Manager None of this happens by accident. The most effective programs have someone focused on internal promotion—a dedicated security marketing lead who: - Understands both security principles and marketing strategies - Translates technical concepts into human language - Dedicates time to building and maintaining a culture of security The Ultimate Goal Every employee should know that the security team is here to help—not to punish or block progress. When security is marketed well, employees become allies in protecting the organization—not obstacles to navigate around. Security awareness isn’t about forcing people to comply. It’s about inspiring them to care.