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The way forward
Tackling evolving trends
With automated SMShing and deep fake videos set to be two of the biggest social engineering threats, Richard sees a wider trend towards the use of technology and industrialisation being used by cyber criminals.
“Post-pandemic, traditional fraudsters are moving into digital crime on an industrial scale, using automation just like legitimate businesses. Technology used for criminal ends is getting more effective and accessible, from deep fakes to realistic AI chat bots. Businesses in all sectors can be at risk but some are especially susceptible. Companies transacting high value payments, like insurance and banking firms, are going to be even more intensively targeted.”
Fighting back at scale
Richard wants to improve access to training and education to help businesses fight back against the social engineers.
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“I’m focused on driving education platforms that will make it smoother and faster for businesses to get protected, and transfer education more effectively. At the moment, it’s challenging to achieve the right level of efficiency, so that training is welcomed and absorbed. That’s something I intend to improve in collaboration with Ultima.”
Humanising cyber security
Given his concerns about employee well-being, Richard is eager to encourage a more humane approach to fraud prevention. That means less emphasis on the classic ‘fear, uncertainty and doubt’ (FUD) approach to cyber security, and more focus on empowering businesses and employees to acquire the skills to secure themselves.
“I think we need to move forward as an industry and recognise that scaring people into acting isn't the right approach. Having worked in the industry a long time, I recognise that cyber attackers are malicious and ingenious in equal measure. But despite this, there are preventative measures business leaders can take that are surprisingly simple, and in some cases they're free as well.”
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What gets me out of bed in the morning is the fact that I can make a change. I can help secure someone. I can help avert a problem. I can stop someone from becoming a victim of social engineering. I believe that’s my calling in life.”