Is Your Data Secure?
Data breaches in the UK have increased by a factor of ten in the past five years as recent figures from the Information Commissioner’s Office show.
These alarming figures were released by request under the Freedom of Information Act. However, while the number of instances have showed increase, organizations are reporting more breaches due to increased awareness.
Tero Pollanen, international fraud prevention specialist asserts that awareness is a key factor in reducing instances of data breaches. Increased awareness of legal requirements on companies to safeguard peoples’ data as well as fines imposed on companies that “lose” information are beginning to stem the tide. As an example, the telecom sector has witnessed a decrease in the number of data breaches over the past five years.
The ICO encourages additional sectors to take advantage of the support and guidance that is available. Both the health service and government sectors are responding to positive change and are now expected to report breaches involving loss of volumes of personal data and/or sensitive material. Again, Mr. Pollanen reminds us to be aware of the dangers and encourage other sectors to work in accord with the ICO to reduce the incidence of data breaches.
Ref.: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19424197
TERO POLLANEN WEBSITE
These alarming figures were released by request under the Freedom of Information Act. However, while the number of instances have showed increase, organizations are reporting more breaches due to increased awareness.
Tero Pollanen, international fraud prevention specialist asserts that awareness is a key factor in reducing instances of data breaches. Increased awareness of legal requirements on companies to safeguard peoples’ data as well as fines imposed on companies that “lose” information are beginning to stem the tide. As an example, the telecom sector has witnessed a decrease in the number of data breaches over the past five years.
The ICO encourages additional sectors to take advantage of the support and guidance that is available. Both the health service and government sectors are responding to positive change and are now expected to report breaches involving loss of volumes of personal data and/or sensitive material. Again, Mr. Pollanen reminds us to be aware of the dangers and encourage other sectors to work in accord with the ICO to reduce the incidence of data breaches.
Ref.: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-19424197
TERO POLLANEN WEBSITE
The Next Big Scam: E-Commerce
The UK is a world leader in e-commerce having the highest internet spending per capita of any country in the world. Thus e-crime has emerged as a large and growing threat. Tero Pollanen, international fraud prevention specialist suggests that small businesses doing on line business need to be particularly aware of fraud related to personal identification.
Changes are needed as on line retailers are investing heavily to protect their customers but government and police also need to make such a commitment. In a recent survey it was found that 60% of retailers surveyed would only report 10% of e-crimes to the police. A new and centralized reporting and investigating method and infrastructure is needed. If on line retailing is to reach its huge potential and significantly impact national economic growth, the government needs to take e-crime more seriously.
As Tero Pollanen suggests, “by reducing the success rate of such fraudulent activities, the overall crime rate will be reduced.”
Ref.: http://www.myhermes1.co.uk/news/brc-highlights-e-crime-threat-to-online-retailers-801436712.news
Changes are needed as on line retailers are investing heavily to protect their customers but government and police also need to make such a commitment. In a recent survey it was found that 60% of retailers surveyed would only report 10% of e-crimes to the police. A new and centralized reporting and investigating method and infrastructure is needed. If on line retailing is to reach its huge potential and significantly impact national economic growth, the government needs to take e-crime more seriously.
As Tero Pollanen suggests, “by reducing the success rate of such fraudulent activities, the overall crime rate will be reduced.”
Ref.: http://www.myhermes1.co.uk/news/brc-highlights-e-crime-threat-to-online-retailers-801436712.news
No More Fish For The Phishers
Phishing, the art of deception is about to become a bit less successful according to some of the world’s largest banking institutions. One morning before leaving for work you quickly scan your email and spot a quick note from your trusted bank that you have been with for years. The typical scam pitch might go like “it’s that time of year again, dear member, to update and verify some information on your account…” You are directed to your bank’s website, provide the vitals, and you are happily on your way to the office. Later in the day, with a shopping cart full of groceries you are horrified that your account cannot cover the charges. The reality is that you are broke. And, that website was NOT your trusted bank’s site at all.
“This cybercrime, known as Phishing, has cost industry an estimated $2.5 billion last year alone,” states Tero Pollanen, a well known fraud prevention specialist, “it is time to rethink security strategy.” The latest school of thought is in the utilization of new exclusive internet addresses with unique domain endings such as dot-citi, dot-barclays or dot-bofa. The banking institutions are hoping that this will increase customer awareness that they actually are dealing with their bank rather than a scam website attempting to steal personal information.
According to Icann, the organization that more or less governs the internet, these new extensions could begin to appear in 2013. In addition to security concerns they would also aid in brand promotion. But by far the greatest need for this change would be the possible security benefits over what they cannot obtain with a dot-com presence.
Fraud will still exist with careless customers and it is the weakest link in the chain of security. But at least the institution can create a domain that ends in their bank name which will help to generate more trust in the institution.
The key here of course is communication between the institution and its customers that when a web address ends in a particular dot-brand, it can be trusted.
You can read more on my blog at http://tero-pollanen.blogspot.co.uk
