Welcome to your Weekly Sentinel MCB™
Theme of the Week
How to Talk About Cybersecurity in Terms That Everyone Can Understand: Prevention, Detection, Correction
Claudiu’s Observation: Cybercrime and data breaches are all preventable, but there is no magic bullet solution simply because smart people are behind it all. Some of these entrepreneurial criminals are hard workers, but they can’t – or won’t – target people and organizations that think in layers. This week I had the privilege to speak with 5 talented reporters about diverse topics from forged bank drafts to car theft. In each case, TV and radio audiences could understand that there is no single solution to targeted crimes.
The following links touch upon the complexity of presenting cybersecurity topics in a way that most audiences find digestible, but also show opportunities to bring clarity to all media coverage by illustrating the importance of thinking about the risk, the harm and the impact of crimes before vividly and unambiguously illustrating these simple layers of protection.
Claudiu’s Top Post
Acknowledging the commendable efforts of organizations like the Royal United Services Institute and the National Cyber Security Centre, this article delves into the harms of ransomware. Beyond financial losses, the hidden consequences touch on privacy compromises, security threats, and a broader societal impact, urging journalists to question what societal impacts lie beyond the monetary losses. Read More
Escalating Car Theft: Canadian Government Summit Targets New Standards
With auto theft on the rise, the Canadian government’s upcoming summit aims to tackle the issue head-on. Stakeholders are hopeful for new federal standards, particularly regarding the outdated immobilizer, amidst a surge in high-tech car theft methods. Read More
Rising Threat of Counterfeit Checks Sparks Joint Advisory
Authorities in Canada and the United States issue a joint Public Advisory to tackle the surge in counterfeit checks and money orders linked to fraud schemes. The advisory informs consumers about the risks, emphasizing precautions against depositing or transferring funds from these deceptive instruments and highlighting potential liabilities. Read More
To be clear, the media has an exciting role to play in encouraging the public to adopt preventative measures to stay safe from crimes, even in a climate where statistics are uncertain. But while critical thinking can be an effective prevention mechanism, it takes situational awareness to monitor and detect crimes as they occur. Finally, corrective mechanisms including personal strategies and societal safeguards round out the simple approach to layered thinking that audiences have a great opportunity to understand… as long as they are accompanied by clear, vivid and unambiguous examples.
When interviewing certified professionals with relevant expertise, always ask:
1. What can people do to reduce the chance of being victimized?
2. What are indicators that something might be amiss?
3. How can victims be helped? In many cases, it may take a wide-ranging effort that should not shy away from recommending legal reform and citing examples of effective government strategies or law enforcement collaboration.
It all takes action, and savvy media professionals are ideally placed to engage with a public hungry for clear information and effective guidance.
For professional commentary by media analyst Claudiu Popa, click here to request an interview.
Know a media professional? Why not offer them the Media Cybersecurity Briefing? It’s free.
Why Subscribe?
This weekly newsletter is the product of manually curated news presented with the expert commentary of Claudiu Popa. As a weekly publication intended for media and information professionals, the objective is simply to outline common threads flowing through current news stories and identify opportunities to ask the questions that matter. Whether you are a professional journalist or a passionate subscriber, here is an opportunity for you to gain insights into the actual harms when it comes to the real impact of cybersecurity. Don’t miss out on these important topics!
