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The notification just landed in your inbox: the examiners are coming. For many community bank IT officers, this moment triggers a scramble to update policies, gather logs, and double-check vendor contracts. But there is one document that often gets overlooked until the last minute—your network diagram. More specifically, your data flow diagram. It’s easy to […]
Category Archives: Security
13
Feb
Feb
Think about your own attic or garage for a moment. Over the years, you accumulate boxes. Some contain holiday decorations you use once a year, others hold tax returns from a decade ago, and a few might even contain family heirlooms. If you don’t know what’s in those boxes or where they are, you can’t […]
03
Feb
Feb
Criminals aren’t just after customer data anymore. Increasingly, they’re back to targeting the machines themselves. ATM jackpotting—a cyber-physical attack that forces an ATM to dispense all its cash—is on the rise, and community banks are squarely in the crosshairs. While many banks are familiar with digital fraud or card skimming, jackpotting represents a more sophisticated […]
12
Jan
Jan
Remote and hybrid work are no longer temporary adjustments for community banks—they’re part of the operating reality. Employees, vendors, and service providers increasingly access systems outside the traditional branch network, and customers are visiting physical locations less often than ever. Our community bank security team has noticed that as more banks go remote with fewer […]
14
Nov
Nov
In the banking sector, your information security is a pillar of trust, stability, and regulatory compliance. The Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council (FFIEC) has long established that a bank’s security program is “essential to the overall safety and soundness of an institution.” As cyber threats become more sophisticated and relentless, banks are turning to AI-powered […]
14
Nov
Nov
Bank examiners arrive with clipboards, spreadsheets, and a thorough understanding of regulatory expectations. When they review your IT security policies, they’re not just checking boxes—they’re evaluating whether your institution has a comprehensive framework that protects customer data and maintains operational resilience. IT security policies are the foundation of your bank’s cybersecurity posture. These documents define […]
14
Nov
Nov
For community banks, Microsoft 365 is a powerful tool for productivity. But with great power comes great responsibility. Financial institutions are prime targets for cyberattacks, and a default Microsoft 365 setup leaves too many doors open for malicious actors. It’s not enough to simply use these tools; you must actively secure them. This process is […]
19
Aug
Aug
In community banking, most cybersecurity conversations focus on keeping outside attackers out, but some of the most damaging breaches come from inside the institution. Whether intentional or accidental, internal access misuse can lead to data leaks, fraud, or operational disruption. That’s why strong bank network security isn’t just about firewalls and encryption—it’s about managing people. […]
19
Aug
Aug
If you run a community bank, you already know that trust is your most valuable currency. Customers choose you because you know their names, understand their businesses, and safeguard their savings. But that trust can be shattered in a single cyber incident—and the most dangerous breaches rarely start with an obvious “break-in.” Instead, they begin […]
11
Aug
Aug
Cyber threats facing financial institutions have never been more dynamic—or more dangerous. Community banks, in particular, must balance growing digital operations with increasingly sophisticated threat actors. Managing that risk starts with understanding it. Cybersecurity risk management is not just about reacting to attacks. It’s about identifying the most likely and impactful threats before they materialize, […]
