We’re losing the war against cybercrime and fraud. Criminals are becoming increasingly sophisticated and organized, while consumers and small businesses are increasingly confused and frustrated.
Security technologies rarely deliver on the hype, and yet our greatest defense is still as simple as it’s ever been. Our own personal vigilance.
If we can get that message to as many consumers as possible, as often as possible, that’s our best chance for reducing the financial and emotional impact of these crimes.
And the best channel, gatekeeper for this message, could be our cities.
Introducing Secure In 60 Seconds
Secure in 60 seconds is a collection of more than 50 short videos, typically just 60 to 90 seconds, on every conceivable cyber crime, fraud, and scam topic, and designed to make it as easy as possible for consumers and business owners to quickly learn how to spot and stop these crimes in a second.
And all these videos can be made available through the city, 24/7, and at no cost.
There’s something for everyone, and the collection includes videos specifically targeting city employees, small businesses and their employees, residents, seniors, and schools and students.
The videos are already being used by more than 150 universities, most of which operate like small cities anyway.
Click here to see an example of a city site
How is the initiative funded?
Customers who would normally purchase this training for their own employees can now nominate their own or any city to receive their own community-focused version.
Alternatively, cities can request to be included in the program and a matching sponsor will be lined up.
If a sponsor can’t be found, the program will be provided free of charge to the city anyway.
Cybercrime and fraud are about much more than simply what victims lose.
There’s a new horror story emerging from the surge in cybercrime and fraud. News outlets have been increasingly focusing on the role of human trafficking in cybercrime and fraud, and how thousands of unwilling victims are being used as an army of free labor to run these massive fraud operations.
So the next time you receive a Zelle fraud, a romance scam, a cryptocurrency or investment scam, a tech support scam, there’s a good chance the person behind it is being held against their will in brutal conditions in some remote location and has absolutely no interest in defrauding you.
Keep that, and them in mind the next time you’re the recipient of one of these scams. Your personal vigilance can help keep money out of the hands of the monsters behind these crimes and help take away their incentive.
What’s in it for cities?
- Free and comprehensive security awareness training for city employees, which can reduce city risk and lower training costs.
- The potential to reduce cybercrime and fraud incidents in the city, and ease the burden on law enforcement.
- A more confident, secure, grateful, and engaged community.
- An opportunity for the city to push out a relevant video whenever there’s a major security incident or a spike in a new type of cyber crime or fraud.
- Safer and more secure schools and businesses.
