Steps to Minimize Risk
Today, businesses face a variety of potential cyber-attacks. Hackers, backed by professional criminal organizations, are targeting small and mid-sized businesses to obtain access to their web banking credentials or remote control of their computers.
Protect your business by focusing on three key areas of protection:
Technical
- Download and install Trusteer Rapport® protection on all of your personal computers
- Apply operating system and application updates (patches) regularly and keep them up to date
- Ensure anti-virus/spyware software is installed, functional and updated with the most current version
- Install host-based firewall software on all computers
- Use latest versions of Internet browsers, such as Explorer, Firefox or Google Chrome, with “pop-up” blockers
- Turn off your computer when not in use
Operational
- Reconcile bank accounts in a timely manner - daily, if possible
- Use a dedicated computer for financial transactional activity; do not use the same computer for general web browsing and email
- Protect and frequently change your passcodes and other online access credentials
- Separate duties by requiring a minimum of two individuals to originate and approve electronic funds transfers
- Release ACH batches and wire transfers by using the security token provided by Cadence Bank
- Review your banking transactions and credit report regularly
Administrative
- Create an employee Internet policy and audit often
- Hold employee awareness training to spot red flags and set-up immediate notifications to banking partner
- Utilize Positive Pay and ACH Positive Pay offered by Cadence Bank; these tools alert you of potentially fraudulent transactions before they impact your accounts
- Use credit cards for payments
- Review and strengthen internal procedures and controls as appropriate
- Ensure disaster recovery plans include the ability to continue with strong controls
- Restrict company network access for payments to company-issued laptops via mobile devices for emergency situations only