29Aug
“SMEs Fall Prey to Crime”
Financial Post (CAN) (08/25/08) ; Carlson, Daryl-Lynn
Thieves are using new technology and highly-advanced schemes to target small businesses that do not have adequate security measures in place. A recent survey of small and medium-sized businesses found that 85 percent of respondents lost over $1,000 a month to crime. Small business owners are targeted more often because they have less resources to dedicate to security than large corporations. However, security experts say that there are several low-cost measures that small businesses can take to prevent fraud and theft. One popular scheme that criminals use is to steal goods from a store, then return them to that same store for a cash refund. Businesses can protect themselves form this scam by implementing a store policy that requires customers to have a valid sales receipt in order to obtain a refund. Businesses can also prevent “pin pad” fraud by manually validating their debit card keypad several times a day. Employee theft is also a problem for many small businesses in Canada, which is dealing with a labor shortage. Businesses can minimize employee theft by screening their prospective hires and installing a closed circuit surveillance system, which is more cost effective than in the past. A point-of-sales program that tracks transactions can also prevent employee theft.
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25Aug
“5 Steps for Stopping the Insider Threat”
Wall Street & Technology (08/08)
A recent study revealed that insider data theft was responsible for approximately 16 percent of all data breaches in 2008, compared to 6 percent in 2007. Experts believe that the rise in insider theft has been fueled by the presence of a black market for stolen data and a high demand for sensitive business information. Customer data stolen by employees is more likely to be misused than data taken during an external breach, so companies must improve their security to prevent insider theft. Businesses need to establish policies that define who can and cannot access sensitive information. Employees should receive training so they are aware of what kind of behavior is unacceptable. These data security polices must be enforced with technology, such as real-time monitoring and access management technologies, which can help identify and prevent unauthorized access. Employees should be made aware of these monitoring technologies, because they will be less likely to inappropriately access sensitive data if they know they may be caught. There also must be a system in place to review audit reports and real-time alerts so the business is prepared to deal with exceptions. Company executives need to support any data security initiative to ensure that sufficient resources are provided.
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22Aug
“Good Building Design Key to Keeping Bad Guys Away”
Star Phoenix (08/12/08) ; Hanley, Paul
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is one way to reduce the frequency and fear of crime inside and around buildings. Behavioral research shows that the decision to commit a crime is tied to the perceived risk of being caught. CPTED increases that perceived risk in an effort to cut down on the number of criminals who will decide to go through with a crime. The three main strategies of CPTED are natural surveillance, natural access control, and natural territorial reinforcement. Natural surveillance is the strategy of designing an area to provide maximum visibility and encourage social interaction. This can be done by installing windows, choosing short fencing, and ensuring that all areas are well lit. Natural access controls, which can include fencing and landscaping, create a barrier between public and private space. Territorial reinforcement further establishes a difference between public and private area through a series of design elements that illustrate ownership. For example, a low wall or a porch can define a space as belonging to a particular owner.
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15Aug
“North Texas School District Will Let Teachers Carry Guns”
Houston Chronicle (08/15/08)
The first school district in the country to permit teachers and personnel to carry firearms for protection may be the small Harrold Independent School District in Texas. Last fall, the school district’s trustees agreed to a policy change that would allow workers to bring concealed guns to school to prevent and guard against school shootings. The change will be effective in late August. Prerequisites for carrying a gun include having a state license to bear a concealed handgun, authorization from the district, training in crisis management and hostile situations, and using ammunition that is crafted to lower the risk of ricochet in school hallways. Texas law forbids guns on school property “unless pursuant to the written regulations or written authorization of the institution.”
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08Aug
“More UCLA Medical Center Employees Peeked at Celebrities’ Records, State Says”
Los Angeles Times (08/05/08) ; Ornstein, Charles
A new report from the California Department of Public Health discovered that 127 UCLA Medical Center employees viewed celebrities’ medical records without permission between January 2004 and June 2006, which is nearly double the number first reported earlier this year. The report states that one worker wrongfully accessed the records of 939 patients between April 2003 and May of last year, though earlier reports said she had only looked at about 60 medical records. She viewed Social Security numbers and other personal data and, in many cases, was able to access the records using her supervisor’s password. State regulators blame the hospital for not taking adequate steps to maintain patient confidentiality. Hospital officials said computer systems have been updated so that whole Social Security numbers do not appear and personnel are being trained on privacy and security. Employees found to have breached patient confidentiality will be discharged, suspended, or warned, according to Dr. David Feinberg, chief executive of the UCLA Health System.
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01Aug
“Businesses Face Crime Wave”
Atlanta Business Chronicle (07/28/08) ; Williams, Dave
Atlanta-area businesses are witnessing a wave of property crimes. Burglaries rose in five of the half-dozen Atlanta Police Department zones in the initial four months of 2008 versus the same time in 2007, while larcenies were higher in every one of the six zones. Thieves are targeting businesses and vehicles, mainly seeking out purses and laptop computers. The poor economy is being blamed by authorities for the rise in property crimes, as is Atlanta’s recent population growth, as larger density can result in additional crime. Although the city police force has expanded from 1,433 sworn positions to 1,833 over the past six years, companies have hired private security guards to monitor commercial areas. Atlanta’s Downtown Improvement District put together its 65-person Ambassador Force in 1996 in preparation for the multitude of visitors who flocked to the city for the Summer Olympics. Meanwhile, the Midtown Alliance added its Midtown Blue security patrol teams in 2000. Central Atlanta Progress Inc. President A.J. Robinson credits the Ambassador Force with providing a formidable law-enforcement presence in Atlanta that also includes the city police, Georgia State officers, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority, and the Capitol Police. In addition, almost 3,000 private security officers have been hired by Atlanta businesses.
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