by Omega | Feb 8, 2018 | Patch
In this two-part post, we address the confusion of how software vendors develop and release approved patches (part 1) and provide our recommendations for how to most effectively test patches prior to deployment (part 2). 2017-18 — A Big Year for Patching By now...
by Omega | Dec 19, 2017 | Data Breach, Malware, Multiple factors of authentication
This holiday season, “Grinch Bots” — automated purchasing tools that scalp high-demand items in large quantities and list them on e-commerce marketplaces at inflated prices — are making quite a mark. To give you an idea of how inflated these...
by Omega | Oct 27, 2017 | Data Breach, Data Security, Risk Assessment
The latest results from the 2017 IBM and Ponemon Institute study on the cost of a data breach show a 10% decline globally but a 5% increase in the U.S. Why this is? On an average, it takes more than six months for a company to determine a breach. The quicker a breach...
by Omega | Oct 12, 2017 | Cyber Security, Data Breach, Data Security, Managed Security Service Provider, Multiple factors of authentication, New Technology, PCI DSS 3.2, Security Strategist, Wireless Security
The widespread breaches and natural disasters of 2017 have forced us to think deeply about how convenience stores can be more resilient to cyber threats. Equifax, Sonic Drive-In, U.S. Power Plants, Petya, WannaCry, Chipotle, Yahoo, Irma, Harvey, Maria — what do these...
by Omega | Oct 5, 2017 | Cyber Security, Data Breach, Data Security, Malware, Skimming
Do not use debit cards for any type of purchase. If the card is breached, the criminal has direct access to your checking account. It can be instantly cleaned out. Unlike credit cards where you can dispute a charge, there is no way to reclaim the money you lost. Do...
by Omega | Sep 22, 2017 | Cyber Security, Data Breach, Data Security, Multiple factors of authentication, New Technology, Online Cloud Security, Password Security, PCI DSS 3.2
Information security courses teach data security professionals to incorporate multiple layers of security to secure their systems. This is the right advice. A four foot fence might keep some criminals out, but an athlete would have no problem jumping the fence. The...
by Omega | Sep 21, 2017 | Cyber Security, Data Breach, Data Security, Multiple factors of authentication, New Technology, Password Security, Two-factor authentication
Every day, I have the opportunity to engage with businesses around the country and understand how they are preparing to withstand today’s onslaught of cyberattacks. The CIOs and IT Directors I’ve spoken to recently are realizing that their...
by Omega | Sep 13, 2017 | New Technology, News
As coastal areas in the United States withstand recent hurricanes like Harvey and Irma, we are reminded of the critical role that convenience stores play in our communities. Today more than ever, households and individuals look to convenience stores as a hub of...
by Omega | Aug 2, 2017 | Cyber Security, Data Breach, Data Security, Skimming
The 2016 Verizon Data Breach reported that Payment card skimmer frauds remain one of the most lucrative and easy to pull off crimes, and, that discovery of breaches was still at 99% from external sources. How can you reduce the risk of skimmers in your store...
by Omega | May 2, 2017 | Risk Assessment
Risk assessment and risk management (PCI compliance requirements 10.6.2 and 10.6.3) are 2 controls usually shoved off to the end of a Qualified Security Assessor (QSA) audit or Self–Assessment questionnaire (SAQ) process. Even as late as 2015, organizations considered...
