The Members Group’s Karen Postma joins U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley and Iowa State Attorney General Tom Miller at Sept. 4 public event
DES MOINES, IA (August 14, 2014) – To share her specialized insight on cyber security, Karen Postma of The Members Group (TMG) will participate in a public education event at the Iowa State University (ISU) campus in Ames on Sept. 4, 2014. A part of the National Cyber Security Alliance “Two Steps Ahead: Protect Your Digital Life” tour, the event is designed to educate consumers and businesses about adding layers of security to their everyday online activities.
As assistant vice president of fraud operations and asset management for payments processor TMG, Postma has a unique perspective on the increasing prevalence of cybercrime in North America. Postma works with credit unions and community banks in the U.S. and Canada to implement fraud detection and prevention measures. In 2013, she led a fraud team that saved TMG financial institution clients more than $20 million in potential fraud losses.
“Data breaches and other cyber security threats are increasing globally, putting our financial institution clients in a critical position,” said Postma. “Because our clients’ customers are often their first line of defense against fraud, providing consumer education is an important part of our mission to help minimize fraud losses for credit unions and community banks.”
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller and ISU President Steven Leath will open the Sept. 4 event. The morning will also feature a hands-on demonstration showing attendees how to step up their security on sites like Google, Facebook,and LinkedIn. The event will end with a panel discussion in which Postma will be joined by experts from the Federal Trade Commission, ISU and the Better Business Bureau.
The Iowa Credit Union League (ICUL) is encouraging its member credit unions and their members to attend the free, two-hour event. “Credit unions are not immune to the cyber security threat,” said Patrick S. Jury, ICUL president and CEO. “In fact, half of all targeted cyber attacks are aimed at businesses with fewer than 2,500 employees. Our member credit unions can benefit from understanding how to talk with their members about steps they can take to protect their financial, social and other connected accounts.”
According to event organizers, retail data breaches and the Heartbleed open SSL vulnerability have made more consumers aware of the need for online account security.
Lack of consumer adoption of good password practices continues to create problems. This is evidenced by the fact “123456” and “password” remain the top passwords in use today. A 2013 Pew Research Center study indicated 21 percent of Internet users (18 years and older) have had an online account compromised.
More businesses, including financial institutions and payments providers, are implementing additional online security features that can help consumers add another layer of security to their accounts. These features go by many names – such as two-step verification, login approvals and multi-factor authentication – and use a variety of methods, including SMS texts to a mobile device or random one-time use password generators. The ultimate goal of each feature is the same, to allow only authorized people access to an account.
The Sept. 4 event will run from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Scheman Building on ISU’s campus. Online registration is available at http://twostepsiowa.eventbrite.com/.
About The Members Group
The Members Group (TMG) is dedicated to creating customized, technology-driven card processing and payment solutions for credit unions and community-based financial institutions across North America. Innovations in fraud management, loyalty programs, alternative payment systems and analytic reporting, and the competitive advantages they create, have helped TMG forge a new standard in offering cutting-edge credit, debit, ATM, prepaid card products and a P2P payment solution. For more information, visit www.themembersgroup.com or follow @TMG on Twitter.
About The National Cyber Security Alliance
The National Cyber Security Alliance (NCSA) is the nation’s leading nonprofit cybersecurity education and awareness organization. In collaboration with the government, corporate, non-profit and other sectors, NCSA’s mission is to educate and empower everyone to use the Internet safely and more securely. The Department of Homeland Security leads the federal engagement in the campaign. Visit www.stopthinkconnect.org for more information and join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/staysafeonline.