“August 2012 TransactionWorld Magazine” – Chris & Heather Mark’s Articles August 13, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in cybersecurity, Data Breach, Industry News.Tags: compliance, cybersecurity, data breach, data security, mark consulting group, mastercard, PCI DSS, security, visa
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Chris and Heather Mark both have articles in the August 2012 issue of TransactionWorld Magazine. Chris’ is titled: “The Impact of the Fortress Mentality & Today’s Compliance Strategies” while Heather’s is titled: “After the Compromise; Security Incident Response and Mitigating the Damage”
One note. I apparently forgot to update my bio with the Editor in Chief so the article erroneously references me as the Executive Vice President of Data Security and Compliance for a payment processor. You can visit Mark Consulting Group at the following: www.MarkConsultingGroup.com
2012 European Central Bank Report on Card Fraud August 6, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in News.Tags: Chip and Pin, debit, ECB, EMV, european central bank, fraud, maestro, mark consulting group, mastercard, PCI DSS, SEPA, visa
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In July 2012 the European Central Bank released a report on bank card (debit, credit, etc.) fraud in the Single Euro Payment Area (SEPA). According to the report, the total fraud equaled €1.26 billion in 2010. For those in the payments industry, this report is an interesting look at the fraud patterns related to card usage. You can download the report here.
“The Fortress Mentality & Data Compromises” – Chris & Heather Mark in August 2012 TransactionWorld Magazine July 31, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in cybersecurity, Data Breach.Tags: Chris Mark, compromise, data breach, data theft, Heather Mark, mark consulting group, mastercard, PCI DSS, transaction world, visa
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This month’s TransactionWorld magazine includes an article by me (Chris Mark) titled: “The Impact Of the Fortress Mentality and Today’s Compliance Strategies”. The article discusses, among other things, the Global Payments breach, PCI DSS compliance, and provides an overview and opinion on today’s focus on compliance with static standards as opposed to risk based information security. One important note. I neglected to send an updated BIO to the editor so it still references my position at ProPay. I have not worked at ProPay for over a year 😉 You can read more about my company Mark Consulting Group at www.MarkConsultingGroup.com.
Heather Mark is also in this month’s TransactionWorld with an article titled: “After the Compromise: Incident Response Plans and Mitigating the Damage” Heather speaks about data compromises and provides good insight into strategies companies can employ to minimize the impact of such breaches.
“Blaming the Victim and the PCI DSS is…Passe”- PCI DSS; GlobalPayments & Data Theft April 1, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Data Breach, Industry News, InfoSec & Privacy, PCI DSS, Risk & Risk Management.Tags: Chris Mark, cybersecurity, data breach, Global Payments, InfoSec, mastercard, PCI, PCI DSS, visa
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In an effort beat the “PCI Evangelists”; “wagon jumpers”, “naysayers”, and “PCI Haters” to the punch, I am publishing my post on a Sunday evening. By tomorrow morning the speculation on how the GlobalPayments compromise occurred will be in full swing and no doubt, many will have already condemned the company for “PCI DSS non compliance” or being “sick, lame, or lazy” when it comes to their PCI DSS compliance or information security. Others will have published articles condemning the PCI DSS as ‘ineffective’, ‘irrelevant’, or simply ‘stupid’.
Before they are condemned I want to go on record and say it NOT a PCI DSS compliance issue that caused the compromise. Like Heartland Payment Systems, Royal Bank of Scotland Worldpay and many more before them, GlobalPayments has been held out as the paragon of PCI DSS compliance for years. Now that they have been breached they will be expected to wear a scarlet letter for the foreseeable future. I have no doubt that by the end of next week their status as a “Level 1 PCI DSS Compliant Service Provider” will have either been revoked by the card brands or be under “review”.In the same vein, there will be many who shout from the rooftops that the PCI DSS is “irrelevant”, “outdated” and so on. Neither of these positions are accurate.
Here it goes…(drum roll please)…
The PCI DSS is a solid set of information security controls and represents minimum necessary controls to minimize the likelihood of data compromise through common, identified vulnerabilities. (more…)
What to do if your card was compromised and used… April 1, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Data Breach, Industry News, InfoSec & Privacy.Tags: Chris Mark, credit card theft, cybercrime, data breach, mastercard, visa, zero liability
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I have already read 5 different articles where experienced and well known security evangelists are discussing how their credit card data was exposed and how it exposed them to danger. Here are some things to understand about credit card theft and liability. First, credit card theft is NOT identity theft. Certainly, criminals can make fraudulent transactions but they cannot assume your identity to buy a boat, house, or get further credit.
Second, Under Federal law, consumers are limited to $50 for fraudulent credit card transactions. The major card brands (Visa, MC, Amex, JCB, Discover) all have “Zero” liability clauses. This means that if your card was used fraudulently…you have no liability for transaction that run over their networks. If it is a PIN based transaction (debit, for example) there are other considerations. You can read more on this post. “Signature or PIN? Credit or Debit?…the answers” If the Global Payments breach was limited to track 1 or track 2 data as reports indicate, then the PIN issue is not relevant.
Here is what you should do…
1) check your credit and debit card accounts. Debit cards can be processed as an ‘offline’ transaction which means they run over credit networks. The criminals can use them just like stolen credit cards. If you see unauthorized transactions take the next step.
2) call your issuing bank (bank listed on your card) and inform them of the fraudulent transactions. They will require you to complete an affidavit stating it was not your charge, etc. etc. If you have unauthorized charges on your bank account from the debit card being compromised, read the post here as it is a bit more complex from time to time. Understand that your bank will CANCEL the card and reissue a new card. Make sure you have taken steps to update your bills etc.
3) continue to monitor your accounts for fraudulent activity…that simple.
Hopefully this helps assuage some concerns
Global Security, Privacy, & Risk Management 