A single data breach can compromise millions of customers, and it happens to banks more often than anyone would like to think.

Queensborough National Bank & Trust has dedicated cybersecurity leaders already looking for ways to defend the bank and its customers against the biggest cybersecurity threats in the coming years.

Laura Nelson, Queensborough Information Security Officer, and Travis Collins, Queensborough Chief Technology Officer, outline one of the top threats to protecting sensitive data - phishing.

What is Phishing?

During a phishing attack, hackers attempt to gain access to a network by tricking employees into clicking on a link that launches malware. It accounts for 19% of all breaches and causes an average of nearly $5 million per breach.

To prevent our bank from joining the statistics, the cybersecurity team works hard to engage employees and customers in safe practices.

Laura Nelson shares that, “We hold shred days for customers. This reiterates the importance of keeping information safe by shredding sensitive documents. At the same time, we give the customers packages of information on ransomware and phishing emails.”

Phishing Training for Employees and Customers

The cybersecurity training for employees and awareness campaigns for customers help prevent unauthorized access to the bank’s network.

Here are a few red flags to look out for in phishing emails:

• Has a subject line that doesn’t make sense
• Asks you to click on a link with little or no explanation of the destination
• Sends “promised” documents with strange filenames and extensions
• Doesn’t have your email in the “To:” line
• Has an image but no text

Employees and customers alike can benefit by following these seven cybersecurity tips.

Look out for any odd signs and call the sender prior to opening the email for peace of mind. Learn more about how Queensborough protects customers from fraud online.

Our bank takes cybersecurity very seriously. With the help of vigilant employees and customers, we can keep valuable information safe, and leave cybercriminals outside the firewall.

Contact us today to find out how to keep your financial information safe and secure. Your local branch can put you in touch with resources like Travis Collins and Laura Nelson, who make it their mission to spread cybersecurity awareness and online crime prevention strategies.