Protecting Your Business from Identity Theft

July 10, 2019 - Corporate identity theft, which has been with us for years now, remains a huge threat as businesses continue to leave themselves vulnerable to this danger. Despite everything we do to protect our corporate identity, cyber thieves are continually discovering new ways to create havoc. Why should you worry? Identity theft can put your business - and you - at risk in many different ways. Check out this week's articles to learn how to protect your company or organization from identity theft.

As business identity theft increases, what you need to do to make sure that your company is secure? (Item #1)   How do you prevent business identity theft? (Item #2)   Don't let your company become an easy target for crafty cyberthieves; take control now to protect all that you've built today for tomorrow. (Item #3)

Here are some tips from BusinessIDTheft.org on protecting your business from fraud and identity thieves. (Item #4)   Unfortunately, thanks to business identity theft, there are new unexpected risks to you and your business - risks they don't teach you about in business school. (Item #5)   Here are some signs that indicate your business has been hacked, as well as the number one way to help put a stop to all attempts of cybercrime against your company. (Item #6)

For the full issue, click here.

Business Identity Theft

June 6, 2018 - We hope you don't think that your business won't become the victim of identity theft. Because, according to all the experts, business ID theft is becoming more and more common as hackers try to outdo each other. While you can never be completely prepared for an identity theft attack, there are many things you can do to protect your business. Check out these articles for some things to consider.
 
Thanks to business identity theft, there are new unexpected risks to you and your business - risks they don't teach you about in business school. (Item #1)   Just as with individual income tax returns, certain business, partnership, and trust and estate return filers should be aware of these signs that their identity has been stolen. (Item #2)   Here's how to secure your sensitive information --- online and offline. (Item #3)

This article has tips for organizations under FTC jurisdiction to determine whether they need to design an identity theft prevention program. (Item #4)   While social media has created no-cost marketing opportunities, it also has created risks, including identity theft and data breach. Are you paying enough attention to the risks and costs?  (Item #5)   Employees are becoming increasingly more vulnerable to cyber threats, just as your company is as a whole. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.

Insider Threats to Business Continuity

February 28, 2018 - Yes, some internal threats are intentional, but most are unintentional, which makes them difficult to guard against. Estimates indicate that more than 50% of businesses have been victimized by insider attacks. Don't let yours be one of them... take a look at this week's articles dealing with this growing threat.

Insider attacks may demonstrate characteristics of an external attack; they also may leave unique digital footprints that are identifiable risk indicators. (Item #1)   More than ever, your users are the weak link in your network security. (Item #2)   Ask these 10 questions when building an insider-threat program. (Item #3)

Board members must understand the various types of insider threats and then ask the right questions to ensure they give their cybersecurity leaders the resources and tools they need to build a robust program. (Item #4)   Information and case studies in this booklet from the Australian government can help you manage insider threat risks. (Item #5)   Could insider threats be the elephant in the security room? (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.

Social Engineering

February 21, 2018 - Phishing, vishing (uses phone calls) and smishing (uses text messages) plus impersonation are the top four social engineering techniques used in more than half of the hack attacks these days. This week we're looking at what social engineering is, preventing attacks, your best defenses again these attacks and how to educate your employees about social engineering.

Here's what you need to know to protect your organization and your users from social engineers. (Item #1)   Twenty-eight infosec experts discuss how to prevent the most common social engineering attacks. (Item #2)   Cybercrooks use the dangerous weapon of social engineering to get at the weakest link: the user. (Item #3)

How social engineering works (and why you may never know you're a target). (Item #4)   But there are steps you can take to tighten your security against social engineering attacks. (Item #5)   Here's information about educating your staff to prevent them falling for social engineering scams. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.

Identity Theft

June 7, 2017 - Identity theft now costs businesses billions of dollars each year, and it's on the rise. No business seems to be immune, from sole practitioners to large corporations. This week we look at exactly what identity theft is and what you can do to prevent it. Check out the articles below for some of the steps you can take to avoid becoming a victim.

In terms of potential losses and damage to victims, business identity theft could easily be considered consumer identity theft's bigger, meaner, and more evil twin. (Item #1)  There are actions that every small business should take—all of which involve being vigilant in monitoring and protecting your business identity as rigorously as you seek to protect your personal identifying information. (Item #2)   For the self-employed and owners of very small businesses, whose time and energies are devoted to growing the company, data security often falls in priority; it shouldn't. (Item #3)

Failing to file seemingly minor forms can leave entrepreneurs vulnerable to crimes that can destroy their credit, their reputation, and even their businesses. (Item #4)   How can business taxpayers minimize the chance of becoming a victim of identity theft? (Item #5)   Identitytheft.gov can guide you through ways to prevent and recover from identity theft. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.

Data Privacy

Feb 1, 2017 - Are you doing the best job possible to manage your users' privacy? Yes, your data is likely secure but privacy is another matter. The dangers to data privacy often are more likely to come from your authorized users -- employees, vendors, etc. This issue looks at data privacy and discuss what we should be doing to maintain that privacy.

The difference between security and privacy is critical, and it's when we confuse them that we reveal more information than we intended. (Item #1)   The collection and manipulation of Big Data can result in real-world benefits, but it also can lead to big privacy problems. (Item #2)   Here are some key areas where planners need to be concerned with private and personally identifiable information when creating, updating, and testing disaster recovery plans. (Item #3)

In the digital economy, our personal information is the New Money to pay for services. (Item #4)   With organizations collecting increasing amounts of data, customers and the governments that represent them have evolving expectations about the transparency surrounding data collection, and the laws that govern the usage and reporting of it.  (Item #5)   Companies are increasing technology investments to protect against external data breaches, but employees pose a bigger threat than hackers. (Item #6)


For the full issue, click here.

Identity Theft

Identity theft of businesses, their customers and employees, is becoming more and more common as hackers seem to try to outdo each other. We hope you don't think that this won't happen to you, because you're just as likely to become a victim as any other business. No one is ever prepared for identity theft to happen to them, but now it's possible to do more to protect your business. In this week's articles, here are some things to consider.

Cyber thieves make millions every year by stealing identities -- and businesses aren't immune from the crime. (Item #1)   This article covers the various types of business data breaches, including ways to minimize your risks and -- if a breach has occurred -- how to respond. (Item #2)   Individual identity theft has received a lot of press in recent years, but what about the theft of a business' identity? (Item #3)

If you are a business owner, board member, or other key executive, you probably have greater exposure and risk from identity theft because your personal information, credit, and finances are closely intertwined with your business.  (Item #4)   Businessfirstfamily.com provides a list of the five best identity theft companies for business. (Item #5)   Due to a new IRS ruling, more employers are likely to provide data-breach monitoring and related services to employees. (Item #6)

Identity Theft

Almost daily, there are news reports of identity theft victims. But don't assume that only individuals can be the targets of ID theft perpetrators. More and more ID theft is being aimed at businesses large and small, and sometimes the thieves are so good you may not know for days that you've been attacked. Is ID theft on your risk list? Do you have a plan to deal with it? If not, sit down with your team and discuss some of the info in this week's articles... you owe it to your organization to do so ASAP.

The rise in business identity theft puts your business at serious risk. (Item #1)   Business identity theft is the newest threat to small businesses all across America. (Item #2)   Business ID theft can turn your business dream into a personal nightmare. (Item #3)

Fraudsters are now obtaining information about companies and assuming their business identities in order to steal company assets, client lists and credit information or secure new business relationships and payments. (Item #4)   Since brand value accounts for nearly 75 percent of business value in the U.S., guarding against corporate identity theft is much more than a technology problem. (Item #5)   FTC website offers resources for ID theft victims. (Item #6)


Past issues of the NewsBriefs are available at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs/

Identity Theft and Fraud

As you’re probably aware, phishing attacks can cost organizations anywhere from thousands to millions of dollars per attack in fraud-related losses. Now, however, in addition to the internet, you can be a fraud victim via voice and text as well. How familiar are you with pharming, vishing and smishing? Is your organization prepared to guard against such attacks and prevent costly disruptions? Check this week’s articles to see if your plans and policies cover everything they should. Remember that many of these attacks originally aimed at individuals have easily become attacks on businesses.

You can learn more about how email and website spoofing work in this article. (Item #1) Spear phishing is a more sophistical phishing attack. (Item #2) Read here to discover six key ways to protect your firm from the growing dangers of spear phishing. (Item #3)

There is a new form of internet fraud out there these days:  it is called Vishing. (Item #4) Business ID theft can turn your business dream into a personal nightmare. (Item #5) Identifying a smishing scam is the first defense against becoming a victim of the crime. (Item #6)


All issues of the NewsBriefs are available at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs/

Business Identity Theft

Identity theft continues to be one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, and there are many types of this theft. If your medical insurance information is stolen, someone could be getting care using your information. Or you can be set up to be held responsible for someone elses criminal behavior. Both individuals and businesses can be victims of this crime, and this issue can help you protect your business from identity theft.

The rise in business identity theft puts your business at serious risk. (Item #1) Here is a guide to protecting your business and recovering from business identity theft. (Item #2) Business ID theft can turn your business dream into a personal nightmare. (Item #3)

These suggestions can help businesses and business owners protect customers and employees sensitive personal information. (Item #4) The hard drive of a computer contains all of the data that was on it during the time that you were using it... so how can you safely dispose of it? (Item #5) The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) provides guidance that can help you make smart, sound decisions. (Item #6)

Identity Theft and Phishing

Most people today are aware that they need to protect themselves from identity theft, phishing, and other scams that run rampant online. A lot of businesses, however, are unaware how vulnerable they are to these same crimes. Even if you take precautions, your employees – and even the state offices that hold your business information – can increase your vulnerability. Discover some eye-opening information about business identity theft and phishing.

Identity thieves are taking advantage of the fact that so much more business is done online these days. (Item #1) If your employees have access to confidential information that can be used for identity theft they may decide to use this information themselves to make purchases, or obtain other lines of credit – and you could be liable. (Item #2) In many states, the business information held by state governments is no more secure – and as easily edited – as Wikipedia. (Item #3)

Many small and medium-sized business owners feel their businesses are too small to be valuable to identity thieves; that’s not how a criminal sees it. (Item #4) Businesses today should not only be aware of the risks of business identity theft, but should also take steps to try to catch it as early as possible to avoid the damaging consequences. (Item #5) Your Web site could be host to illegal activity right now… or maybe you’ve been hijacked. (Item #6)

Identity Theft

According to the U.S. Dept. of Justice Statistics, identity theft is passing drug trafficking as the number one crime in the nation. The majority of ID theft criminals are repeat offenders. While there is a lot of variation in the cost of identity theft, one survey estimated that ID in 2005 cost business and consumers $56.6 billion. You may be able to avoid the costs of identity theft by following some of the best practices in this week’s articles.

Financial scams and incidents of medical identity theft are on the rise - and they're among the main threats to business and consumers in 2010. (Item #1) With ID theft on the rise, the onus is on those organizations and departments housing sensitive employee information to improve their data protection. (Item #2) The increase in identity theft has given rise to identity-theft insurance, but is such protection necessary? (Item #3)

How can companies ensure the integrity and security of sensitive customer and employee data? (Item #4) If it is designed and built correctly, your software could end up being one of your most effective countermeasures against most of the common attacks employed by hackers today. (Item #5) Safe information handling practices are critical to keep identifying information out of the hands of thieves. (Item #6)

The full issue is available at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs

Corporate Identity Theft and Data Breaches

Identity theft impacts businesses and consumers, and it’s important that businesses institute safeguards to prevent identity theft – and its high cost. The articles in this issue provide some tips and best practices for helping you prevent breaches of the information you store.

The negative effects of identity theft or a breach of information to a business can have long term and far reaching ramifications. (Item #1) One of the keys to preventing identity theft, therefore, is to safeguard personal information within the workplace, whether it's a business, government agency, or nonprofit. (Item #2) Do the benefits of biometrics outweigh the risks? (Item #3)

Guidance from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) can help you make smart, sound decisions if personal information you hold is compromised. (Item #4) Your health as well as your finances can be compromised by medical identity theft. (Item #5) Best practices for handling social security numbers are provided by the California Office of Privacy Protection. (Item #6)

Read the entire issue at http://www.attainium.net/newsbriefs