Over the past few weeks, we have been bombarded with requests for broadband connectivity and internet usage data. Turns out that as part of the Obama Administration's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that $7.2 billion in Federal grant monies have been set aside to help bring high speed internet to communities without access.
For those that receive a grant, these companies and communities receive $0.80 on the dollar for all expense to provide the access. Pretty good incentive if you asked me.
However, for companies and communities to apply for the grant, they must have data and maps that shows the current connectivity and usage. That's the dilemma. That data does not exist. Why? Because only the carriers have this data and they treat as highly confidential. However - a requirement it remains.
As such, many communities and carriers have not been able to apply for these substantial grants. That is until now. We recently announced the development of the first national database of internet connectivity and usage down to the Census level geography needed.
By accessing our proprietary databases of internet users, we were able to combine with our analytics to produce the data and maps needed.
Pretty exciting stuff. Who would have thunk that a company focused on ID Theft and fraud would be creating a database to enable a computer in every home and classroom. Should be interesting watching this all play out.
A.E>>>
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Data Breach Blahhhh!
I just got done reading my latest article regarding data breaches.
http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/budgeting/dingbat-data-leaks/
In this article, like many others, the author discusses how data is lost, that most breaches are accidental in nature, and the fact that 50% of laptops that are misplaced have personal identifying data.
This focus on data breaches and better protections is doing little or nothing to reduce the rapid increase in identity theft. In fact - it is diverting our focus from what is the much more important issue "What can I do with the data".
If we add up all the breaches and data losses, I would imagine each of our individual ID's are out there in cyber land many times over. That is not the issue - the issue is what can I do with the data.
For example - If I simply need to present that data to open a new credit card account and they open - then this is the problem. If I can use the data to create a fictitous Driver's License which then is used in a routine traffic stop, then this is the problem. If I can use someone's data to receive medical service in the victim's name, then this is the problem.
The point is - the data is out there. While it is good practice to do all we can to secure data, it is not going to address the problem. We need to be spending our time, energies and monies on developing secure systems that do not allow someone with a print out of your personal data to take you to the cleaners.
A.E>>>
http://www.smartmoney.com/spending/budgeting/dingbat-data-leaks/
In this article, like many others, the author discusses how data is lost, that most breaches are accidental in nature, and the fact that 50% of laptops that are misplaced have personal identifying data.
This focus on data breaches and better protections is doing little or nothing to reduce the rapid increase in identity theft. In fact - it is diverting our focus from what is the much more important issue "What can I do with the data".
If we add up all the breaches and data losses, I would imagine each of our individual ID's are out there in cyber land many times over. That is not the issue - the issue is what can I do with the data.
For example - If I simply need to present that data to open a new credit card account and they open - then this is the problem. If I can use the data to create a fictitous Driver's License which then is used in a routine traffic stop, then this is the problem. If I can use someone's data to receive medical service in the victim's name, then this is the problem.
The point is - the data is out there. While it is good practice to do all we can to secure data, it is not going to address the problem. We need to be spending our time, energies and monies on developing secure systems that do not allow someone with a print out of your personal data to take you to the cleaners.
A.E>>>
Thursday, August 20, 2009
The Next Criminal Hero
For years, Americans have held a deep fixation with criminals, many times transforming them into heros. Every generation seems to have their criminal heros. We can go back to the 20's and 30's with Bonnie & Clyde, Baby Face Nelson, Al Capone, etc... Then the 60's brought us our first white collar crime hero - Frank Abignail, who was the subject of the movie "Catch Me if you can".
Of course, the 70's brought us the trio of The Godfather movies, and made the Corleone's America's favorite crime family. This was followed up with copy cat John Gotti.
Then in the 80's and 90's, Kevin Mitnick (The original computer hacker)was convicted and became the posterchild for young hackers everywhere. Much like Abignail, Mitnick turned his criminal activity into a gold mine by going on the road and telling everyone how he did it.
Now - we have our next posterchild - Albert Gonzalez who was recently arrested for the Heartland Data Systems breach. What makes this even more entertaining is that he was also arrested in the TJX data breach a few years earlier in 2003. Rather than throw him in the slammer, he instead became an informant for the Secret Service. A few short years later, he has achieved his goal of international fame and worship.
For those not in the banking industry, his compromise of Heartland created major havoc for banks everywhere. If you received a new credit or debit card in the past few months, it is likely due to the breach at Heartland. Banks were forced to investigate which cards were compromised and had to re-issue millions of cards. Thus far, this has cost Heartland over $32 MM in fines and losses.
So the next time, you get a fee increase from your bank, you might want to thank Albert. This may alter our collective opinion regarding his hero status.
In the meantime, Albert will go spend a few years behind bars thinking about his crime. More likely, he will be writing his business plan for becoming the next in a line of criminals who turned their misfortunate into a gold mine.
A.E>>>
Of course, the 70's brought us the trio of The Godfather movies, and made the Corleone's America's favorite crime family. This was followed up with copy cat John Gotti.
Then in the 80's and 90's, Kevin Mitnick (The original computer hacker)was convicted and became the posterchild for young hackers everywhere. Much like Abignail, Mitnick turned his criminal activity into a gold mine by going on the road and telling everyone how he did it.
Now - we have our next posterchild - Albert Gonzalez who was recently arrested for the Heartland Data Systems breach. What makes this even more entertaining is that he was also arrested in the TJX data breach a few years earlier in 2003. Rather than throw him in the slammer, he instead became an informant for the Secret Service. A few short years later, he has achieved his goal of international fame and worship.
For those not in the banking industry, his compromise of Heartland created major havoc for banks everywhere. If you received a new credit or debit card in the past few months, it is likely due to the breach at Heartland. Banks were forced to investigate which cards were compromised and had to re-issue millions of cards. Thus far, this has cost Heartland over $32 MM in fines and losses.
So the next time, you get a fee increase from your bank, you might want to thank Albert. This may alter our collective opinion regarding his hero status.
In the meantime, Albert will go spend a few years behind bars thinking about his crime. More likely, he will be writing his business plan for becoming the next in a line of criminals who turned their misfortunate into a gold mine.
A.E>>>
Monday, August 17, 2009
Back to the Basics
Well..... now that Tiger crumbled over the weekend, it is back to the grindstone.
The past few months have been nothing short of phenomonal. The economic challenges within the banking industry have resulted in a period of time that will be well remembered for years to come. Much like the dot com era or 9/11, this period will be one in which we will reflect on.
Thankfully - things seem to be on the upward trend, but who knows. However, as I reflect on the past few months and quarters, I have realized some very important lessons with respect to business.
1.) Be wary of the teflon mentality. When this crisis first emerged, the initial reaction was "it hasn't really effected us". A few short weeks and months later - we realized it had - in ways that we hadn't imagined.
2.) Don't get diverted. When a core market segment is impacted, the natural inclination is to see if you shouldn't be pointing your guns elsewhere. I am glad we did not, as sales activity is beginning to return to levels of past.
3.) Have faith. It's difficult to remain focused when you think you have the right message, yet things get more difficult. Does the message need to change? What am I missing? What we found was that the message was right and by focusing on it made all the difference.
4.) Maximize your resources. More than ever, the latest environment forced us to understand to a greater degree what resources were absolutely critical to success and those that were not. By removing un-needed expense and resource, we were able to streamline our operations while minimize our expense.
All in all, I will be happy if the climate over the past few months never returns. At the same time, it has been a great learning experience and we are coming out on the back-end of this more operationally sound than before. The next few months should be entertaining.
Good Hunting out there,
A.E>>>
The past few months have been nothing short of phenomonal. The economic challenges within the banking industry have resulted in a period of time that will be well remembered for years to come. Much like the dot com era or 9/11, this period will be one in which we will reflect on.
Thankfully - things seem to be on the upward trend, but who knows. However, as I reflect on the past few months and quarters, I have realized some very important lessons with respect to business.
1.) Be wary of the teflon mentality. When this crisis first emerged, the initial reaction was "it hasn't really effected us". A few short weeks and months later - we realized it had - in ways that we hadn't imagined.
2.) Don't get diverted. When a core market segment is impacted, the natural inclination is to see if you shouldn't be pointing your guns elsewhere. I am glad we did not, as sales activity is beginning to return to levels of past.
3.) Have faith. It's difficult to remain focused when you think you have the right message, yet things get more difficult. Does the message need to change? What am I missing? What we found was that the message was right and by focusing on it made all the difference.
4.) Maximize your resources. More than ever, the latest environment forced us to understand to a greater degree what resources were absolutely critical to success and those that were not. By removing un-needed expense and resource, we were able to streamline our operations while minimize our expense.
All in all, I will be happy if the climate over the past few months never returns. At the same time, it has been a great learning experience and we are coming out on the back-end of this more operationally sound than before. The next few months should be entertaining.
Good Hunting out there,
A.E>>>
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Why I Hope Tiger Wins
Being a Minnesotan, I spent Monday afternoon over at Hazeltine National as PGA Championship week kicked off. While it was only a practice round on Monday, everyone was asking of there were any Tiger sightings. Tiger was there bright and early, but we got there late and missed him.
Of course, Tiger is once again favored as he has won an astounding 30% of tournaments he has entered. What perplexes me is that each and every week, I find myself rooting for Tiger to win, even though he has more money than god and may be considered the greatest golfer if he does nothing else.
Why it is perplexing is that like many, I am always for the underdog. Whether it is a football, tennis, baseball or hockey contest - I almost always root for the underdog. I think it is built into our DNA.
However, when it comes to Tiger - I am always hoping that he wins. Why? In analyzing my brain, I think it is simply because I love the way he prepares himself and am absolutely astounded by his mental preparation. In short, he can almost will himself to win. As a colleague told me this morning - he just gives his opponents the Jedi glance, and they crumble. The only other parallel I can draw is to Lance Armstrong.
I think that these two human beings are case studies for mental fortitude. in many ways, they are heros of mine, as they always seem to rise to the occasion. When I wake up in the morning and begin thinking about ID Insight - I remind myself of what it takes to be a Tiger.
He is an inspiration to me and many others, and I hope that he is able to will himself to his 15th major this week.
A.E>>>
Of course, Tiger is once again favored as he has won an astounding 30% of tournaments he has entered. What perplexes me is that each and every week, I find myself rooting for Tiger to win, even though he has more money than god and may be considered the greatest golfer if he does nothing else.
Why it is perplexing is that like many, I am always for the underdog. Whether it is a football, tennis, baseball or hockey contest - I almost always root for the underdog. I think it is built into our DNA.
However, when it comes to Tiger - I am always hoping that he wins. Why? In analyzing my brain, I think it is simply because I love the way he prepares himself and am absolutely astounded by his mental preparation. In short, he can almost will himself to win. As a colleague told me this morning - he just gives his opponents the Jedi glance, and they crumble. The only other parallel I can draw is to Lance Armstrong.
I think that these two human beings are case studies for mental fortitude. in many ways, they are heros of mine, as they always seem to rise to the occasion. When I wake up in the morning and begin thinking about ID Insight - I remind myself of what it takes to be a Tiger.
He is an inspiration to me and many others, and I hope that he is able to will himself to his 15th major this week.
A.E>>>
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