TECH TALK Beyond Transactions A Personal Perspective on Community Banking from a Cyber Expert Shane Daniel, CPA, CISA, CIA, Cybersecurity Consultant SBS CyberSecurity Growing up in a small town with four locally owned banks occupying the town square, you could always count on the bankers to lead and support local fundraisers, sports teams and community events. These local banks were more than just businesses; they were the roots of our small community, providing guidance and support to the first-time home buyer as well as the little leaguer who struck out. Bankers were community heroes whose actions reverberated through our community. After college, I joined a local bank and quickly learned that one of the most critical decisions was choosing the color of our baseball caps for the year. Should we go with camo or safety orange? The bank president took great pride in seeing the community wear our caps, a symbol of our connection and support. Over the years, bank names have changed, cap preferences have evolved beyond hunting or farming themes, and banking has evolved to include online transactions and cyber threats/fraud. Still, the community connection to the local bank remains. My 95-year-old mother recently called me with a touching story. Her banker had contacted her about a $40 check she had written. Noticing that she doesn’t write many checks, they wanted to ensure it was authorized. This simple act of care and vigilance reminded me of the deep-rooted connection and trust that local banks have fostered. She was thrilled that the banker had called, and she reminded me that there were a lot of scammers out there and that the people at the bank were looking out for her. My mother has never fully understood my role as a cybersecurity consultant at SBS CyberSecurity; she knows it has something to do with banking and computers, and I leave it at that. At SBS, we’re all about empowering you to make informed decisions regarding cybersecurity. So, I felt the hand of karma when she replayed her conversation with me. To the unknown cybersecurity superhero who contacted my mother, thank you for taking the time and resources to verify her $40 check. Most frauds start with a small amount to test the system, and your bank has trained you well. 22 NEBRASKA BANKER
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