5 Security Things to Know This Week

Here are five major security news items to help you start your week:

• PCI rules take effect soon: If you handle credit and debit cards - especially if you are a smaller merchant - take note. Rule changes enacted through PCI versions 3.0 and 3.1 become mandatory on June 30. Here is what you need to know about your new responsibilities.
• POS devices remain hot target: The onslaught of attacks on point-of-sale (POS) systems impelled many of the 3.0 and 3.1 payment card requirement changes. One way thieves are succeeding in these attacks is by installing malware through the distribution of spam emails that are opened on POS computers
• The thing about "internet of things": It's difficult to stem the tide of data breaches when the number of web-enabled devices is significantly rising by the day. In many cases, these internet-connected systems have not been properly secured and contain vulnerabilities that make them prone to major security and privacy risks. How big is the problem?
• A costly tab: The bill for cybersecurity breaches is going up. An annual Ponemon Institute concludes that the average compromise costs companies $3.8 million, a jump of 23 percent in two years. The rising figure means organizations are failing at two things: addressing vulnerabilities that enable breaches and - if a breach does occur - identifying it and mitigating the damage as quickly as possible before the liability starts adding up.
• U.S. lagging in card security: The United States is a leader in many things, but credit card security is apparently not one of them. A new report shows that roughly half of all global credit card fraud occurs in America, mainly due to the ease by which hackers can steal card numbers and create cloned cards.

No matter the industry you're in or the challenge or compliance mandate you're facing, Trustwave can help. Learn how here.