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11/15/23

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MTI named Nikki Thomas Director of Business Development

Meet MTI’s new Director of Business Development, Nikki Thomas. A master of sales strategy and a wizard of business growth. Coming to MTI with 11 years of experience under her belt as a Director of Sales at American Express, she's no stranger to the world of high-stakes business. A seasoned pro, who's turned the art of closing deals into a symphony of success.

Her secret weapon? A blend of strategic thinking, a keen understanding of customer needs, and a dash of good old-fashioned charm. She's not just a sales guru, she's a relationship builder, a problem solver, and a growth accelerator.

But don't let her impressive resume intimidate you. Off the clock, she's a fun-loving, proud mom of two, tea-cup yorkie lover, adventure-seeking, world traveler, basketball loving kid at heart. So, let's give a warm welcome to our new Director of Business Development.

Congratulations, Nikki!

Aaron Hancart, CFI, EPS named Sr. Director, Asset Protection & Safety for Denny's
Before joining Denny's as Sr. Director, Asset Protection & Safety, Aaron spent a year with Protos Security as Director of National Operations. Prior to that, he served as Director, Asset Protection at Casey's for a year. Earlier in his career, he held roles with Luxottica, TCC (Verizon Premium Wireless Retailer), JCPenney, Dick's Sporting Goods, and Target. Congratulations, Aaron!

See All the LP Executives 'Moving Up' Here

Submit Your New Corporate Hires/Promotions or New Position

Everon announces executive leadership team

Team includes executives with long-standing careers and wide-ranging experience in the security, fire, and life safety industry

Boca Raton, Fla., Nov. 15, 2023 - Everon, also known as ADT Commercial ("ADT Commercial" or the "Company"), a leading security integrator and premier provider of commercial security, fire and life safety in the U.S., announced today its executive leadership team since the recent completion of its acquisition by GTCR.

Everon draws on an outstanding legacy of service excellence that is strengthened by over a decade of industry expertise, with many leaders having spent the majority of their careers in the industry. The organization's executive leadership team - led by Dan Bresingham, Chief Executive Officer - is no exception.

Read about the executive leadership team in the Vendor Spotlight column below

The U.S. Crime Surge
The Retail Impact

Retailers Turn to Technology to Fight Violence
Mitigating retail violence requires a layered approach

By Scott Thomas - US National Director, Signature Brands at Genetec

No retailer is immune. Convenience stores, fast food restaurants, grocery stores and malls are likely targets. Any type of retailer can experience in-store violence, with perpetrators ranging from unstable or angry individuals to organized retail crime (ORC) gangs.

Multi-layered security approaches can help

Retailers are turning to technologies that can increase real-time situational awareness, deter criminal acts, gather evidence and enhance collaboration with local law enforcement.

Real-time situational awareness: A unified security platform integrates a range of technologies from a single command center, giving stores the ability to identify and respond to threats faster. For example, a unified platform can combine video from various sources like automatic license plate recognition (ALPR), facial recognition, or body-worn cameras equipped with real-time analytics for detecting known suspects or vehicles, which may signal a crime is about to occur.

Modern deterrents: Self-checkout stations are an increasingly common target for criminal activity. Weight sensors and overhead cameras connected to a unified security platform can alert staff to irregular activity and speed responses. Body-worn cameras (BWCs) are also being tested.

Evidence gathering: Retailers are being encouraged by law enforcement to bolster evidence gathering and collaborate with other retailers to bring down large ORC theft and fencing operations. Modern security systems with cloud-based storage and sharing capabilities can easily meet those needs.

Private and public collaboration: Security technology that integrates with local law enforcement can produce crime-fighting partnerships. This aids in threat assessment and early dispatch, giving responding officers visibility into emergency situations.

Making stores smarter and safer: A retailer’s top priority is to keep its employees and customers safe. Technology is one tool that helps retailers mitigate retail violence.

A multi-layered approach that includes unified security platforms, sophisticated real-time analytics and private-public collaboration can help. While there will always be criminal activity, retail stores can take steps to protect their brand, their inventory and most importantly, their employees and customers.

Contributing factors | Impacts to retailers | Read the full article here: securitymagazine.com

ALTO Store Alliance Helps Cut Violence & Shrink by 30%
Kroger and Walgreens have a new way to fight theft

It's an approach that will appeal to anyone looking to make an example out of every person who tries to steal (Walmart and Target take note).

Both Walgreens and Kroger have been working with Alto, a company that mixes technology and human resources to make it easier for retailers to give law enforcement what they need to arrest and prosecute shoplifters.

How Walgreens and Kroger's new partner works

Alto customers get access to an app that allows its frontline workers — clerks, check-out people, and those folks who monitor self-checkout — to report on-sight incidents as they happen. Once they do that, Alto assigns a support person to the store who immediately heads out to the location in order to collect evidence, which is then passed on to Alto's legal which "helps build cases for the DA to hold offenders accountable."

"These minor thefts add up, and offenders are getting more violent. Alto is also able to connect the dots between offenders who target different stores it works with (e.g. a Walgreens and a Target), which they could not do on their own."

"Stores in the Alto alliance have reported up to 30% reduction in shrink and violent incidents over the past 12 months," the security company shared.

Alto helped a retail partner catch the 'Diaper Guy'

Alto CEO Cristian Lopez shared a recent success story with TheStreet. One of the company's retail partners had a repeat offender known by the nickname "diaper guy." Her had been stealing from the store on a weekly basis. This ultimately led to the suspect being arrested. And, in this case, it turned out to be a success on multiple fronts as the former "diaper guy," was given rehab as an option by the court.

That, of course, is a best-case version of potential outcomes. This program results in more arrests — that's the goal, not helping criminals turn their lives around. Working with Alto, however, does give stores a missing piece of the puzzle if they're looking to use potential arrest and punishment as a way to deter other criminals. thestreet.com

Target's Bumpy Road Continues After Announcing Crime Closures
As Target shutters some stores, retailer looks to prove it can grow and avoid new setbacks

Target’s store closures, which it attributed to theft, were the latest in a string of public setbacks.

In the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, Target’s first store to open in Manhattan has permanently shut its doors. The retailer has closed eight other city stores around the country.

Target’s closures, which the company blamed on theft and violence at a time when sales have stagnated, marked the latest in a series of public setbacks for the big-box retailer— a jarring turnabout for a company seen as a major Covid pandemic winner.

The company, in many ways, embodies both the benefits retailers saw during the Covid pandemic spending boom and the unique challenges they have faced coming out of it.

Like other retailers, Target is dealing with softer sales. It has coped with other dynamics, too, including stocking too much of the wrong inventory, backlash over its Pride collection, and losses from theft and organized retail crime.

Some other retailers, such as Nordstrom and Walmart, have also shut stores in major cities — though they have not specifically blamed theft. Those companies’ closed stores, in San Francisco and Chicago, respectively, may have also felt the impact of people moving to suburbs or spending half or more of their workweeks at home.

Target’s Mulligan said evaluating and closing stores is a routine part of operating a company. Some locations don’t work, he said, and Target believed the nine stores that it closed in the New York, Seattle, Portland, Oregon, and San Francisco areas weren’t safe anymore. cnbc.com

Lawmakers Urge NY Governor to Sign Bill Establishing Retail Crime Task Force
NY state lawmakers, Capital Region law enforcement call for retail crime task force
Two Capital Region state Assemblymembers are urging New York Governor Kathy Hochul to sign a bill they say will protect retailers and their employees.

Assemblyman John McDonald of the 108th district, one of the measure’s cosponsors, says $4.4 billion is lost to retail theft annually in the state, and $100 billion nationally. Speaking Thursday in Albany as the holiday season neared, the Democrat called on Hochul to sign the bill, which would establish a state organized retail crime task force.

The 15-member body will consist of appointed representatives from retail business organizations, law enforcement, and other interests. Assemblywoman Pat Fahy, whose 109th District includes Albany, says theft also drives business away from local stores and toward online retail.

Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan says theft is often a symptom of larger problems in society. “We have hundreds and hundreds of empty beds sitting in facilities that provide addiction services. And so we're not connecting people to those services as well,” Sheehan said.

Melissa O’Connor of the Retail Council of New York State says 14 other states have already established a similar task force, and New York must follow their lead.

“In the meantime, the Retail Council of New York State continues to work with community groups, law enforcement, prosecutors, lawmakers to educate them on the challenges facing small and large stores throughout the capital region in the state. And we look forward to having this bill signed into law ultimately,” O'Connor said.

Hochul’s office says the Democrat is reviewing the legislation. wamc.org

Will ORC Continue to be the Hot Topic in Earnings Calls?
Retail ‘shrink’ is about much more than theft, analysts say
As retail earnings kick off this week, investors will be watching closely to see whether organized retail crime is still casting a shadow over the sector.

Crime has been a hot topic in recent earnings seasons, cited by major retailers such as Target Corp. In August, when Target reported second-quarter results, CEO Brian Cornell reiterated his previous comments about inventory “shrink,” saying that the company is facing an “unacceptable amount” of retail theft and organized retail crime.

But analysts say there is much more to retail-industry shrink than just theft. “Over the course of 2022 and 2023, retailers have increasingly highlighted rising shrink concerns and related headwinds on margin,” William Blair analyst Dylan Carden said in a recent note. “We believe context is important, namely that much of the increase in 2022 was related to shrink normalization coming out of the pandemic, when temporary closures and subsequent in-store shopping restrictions led to a more dramatic decrease in shrink.”

William Blair analyst Carden says elevated shrink is expected in 2023, coinciding with growing organized retail crime. However, he feels there’s a disconnect between the expected increase in shrink and the level of attention the topic has drawn. “While theft is likely elevated, companies are also likely using the opportunity to draw attention away from margin headwinds in the form of higher promotions and weaker inventory management in recent quarters,” Carden added. “We also believe some more recent permanent store closures enacted under the cover of shrink relate to underperformance of these locations.” marketwatch.com

Murders Drop 10% in Chicago, But Robberies Up 25%
Despite drop in murders, other major crimes are up significantly

Chicago sees highest crime year post-pandemic
Chicago is looking at its highest crime rates since before the COVID-19 pandemic, leading some to question the criminal justice system's overall effectiveness.

While Chicago has seen murders drop by 10 percent in 2023, other major crimes have significantly increased. Car thefts are up 52% and robberies are up 25%. Chicago saw nearly 80,000 major crimes in 2023, which, according to Wirepoints, is 29,000 more crimes than in 2019.

Ted Dabrowski of Wirepoints told The Center Square that crime is increasing due to a lack of support for the men and women in uniform.

"Until you get the police to be able to do policing freely and confidently and with confidence, I think we are going to have a big problem," Dabrowski said. "Especially with the continued lack of support they've seen from Chicago leaders and others." washingtonexaminer.com

House ORC Bill Gets More Cosponsors
H.R.895 - Combating Organized Retail Crime Act of 2023
Four new co-sponsors signed onto the legislation (3 Republicans and 1 Democrat), bringing the total to 83 cosponsors (43 Democrats, 40 Republicans). It's picking up activity. Is your representative supporting it?

The Times UK: 'Crime Epidemic' in Retail
UK: ‘Pressure cooker’ of shoplifting puts staff at risk, says Co-op

Supermarket suffers 1,000 incidents a day, from theft to assault

Co-op has warned that urgent action is required to stem a “crime epidemic” as shoplifting, abuse, violence and anti-social behaviour incidents in its stores almost doubled to 300,000 this year.

The retailer has suffered around 1,000 incidents every day across its network of 2,400 shops over the first six months of the year.

Staff faced 1,130 physical assaults, up 35 per cent year-on-year, while antisocial behaviour and abuse levels rose 39 per cent to 36,000.

Specialist teams have detained 3,000 serious offenders this year but more than three quarters of the time police have failed to show up, leading bosses to warn of a “pressure cooker” situation with store workers and customers put at risk.

Matt Hood, the Co-op managing director, said that more than £200 million had been invested over recent years in initiatives including CCTV, body-worn cameras, dummy packaging and undercover guarding.

The union has launched its Respect for Shop Workers week, with Co-op hosting more than 50 MPs and police chiefs in its stores to demonstrate the impact retail crime has on staff.

Retailers lost a record £950 million to customer theft in the 12 months to March 31, up from £663 million the previous year, according to the British Retail Consortium. thetimes.co.uk

‘Curbing UK retail crime will need a broad approach’
The surge in shoplifting is becoming an urgent issue for retailers. With the crime up 25% in the past year, the police recorded more than 365,000 theft offences against businesses, putting staff and profits at risk.

Retailers are sounding the alarm. The Co-op noted that thieves cost it £33m in the first half of 2023, while Dame Sharon White, outgoing chair of John Lewis Partnership, recently labelled shoplifting an “epidemic” that cost her business an additional £12m year on year.

Beyond the direct effect on the bottom line, shoplifting has had a devastating impact on staff morale.

The Retail Trust found that 80% of retail employees experienced a deterioration in wellbeing in the past year.

For an industry struggling to attract and retain people in sufficient numbers, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of store staff becomes even more critical.

The rise of organized retail theft

About two-thirds of those stealing from local shops are repeat offenders, some with connections to organised crime, according to a report by the Association of Convenience Stores. retail-week.com

In Case You Missed It
UK: Theft to cost retailers £7.9bn in 2023, study finds
Among those that have seen an increase in employee theft over the past year, 70% state they've seen an increase in organised crime in DCs.

Co-op boss says criminal gangs are operating ‘exempt from consequences’

Why is retail theft on the rise in Massachusetts?

It's International Fraud Awareness Week
What You Can Do to Get Involved in Fraud Prevention
Fraud Week is the perfect time to go a step further in your role as an anti-fraud professional and to start discussions amongst peers, coworkers, executives and stakeholders in your community about how important fraud prevention is to society as a whole. You can use any of the free resources provided, or get creative and put your own twist on some of the ideas presented below.

Ways to Get Involved

• Post on social media using informative images with the tag #fraudweek

• Invite a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) to talk to your employees and coworkers virtually on how to avoid common mistakes when preventing fraud.

• Download the free Fraud Week logo to share on materials or websites.

• Involve your local chamber of commerce or city council to spread tips on fraud prevention for small businesses.

• Encourage your governor to issue a proclamation (.doc) declaring that your state supports Fraud Week.

• Issue a press release showing your organization's support by using this customizable press release template (.doc).

• Host a talk or seminar for your coworkers or community on regularly staying aware of fraud prevention best practices. You can post that event to share what you are doing on our events page.

• Perform a fraud check-up for your organization and present your findings to executives, as well as a proactive plan for how to remedy weak spots in your current controls. fraudweek.com

RELATED: International Fraud Awareness Week Resources

Businesses & Consumers Continue to Embrace Biometrics
Mastercard Launches Biometric Payments Partnership With NEC
Mastercard has teamed with NEC to bring biometric checkout to the Asia Pacific region. The partnership, announced Tuesday (Nov. 14), combines NEC’s facial recognition and liveness verification technology with Mastercard’s payment operations, and comes as consumers and businesses are increasingly embracing biometrics.

“As retailing environments continue to evolve and choices in ways to pay rapidly expand, biometric solutions offer a seamless, quick and secure checkout, without needing to unlock a phone or insert a PIN,” Ajay Bhalla, president, Cyber and Intelligence Solutions, Mastercard, said in a news release.

Mastercard launched its biometric checkout program in Brazil last year with its “Smile and Pay” offering, allowing in-person payments to transact with a smile or the wave of a hand. The company says the technology’s benefits for merchants include shorter lines, added security and more hygienic conditions, while offering a “more engaging relationship” with customers.

Mastercard’s latest partnership is happening amid a flurry of product launches involving biometric payments, including Amazon’s announcement that it was integrating radio-frequency identification tags into its biometric-first Just Walk Out retail stores.

Research by PYMNTS Intelligence finds that of the nearly 60% of consumers surveyed who had conducted online purchases in the prior 30 days, 51% used biometrics.

“Drilling down into the data further reveals that facial recognition and fingerprint scans emerged as the most popular biometric methods, with about 28% and 49% of consumers using them, respectively,” PYMNTS wrote in September. “In addition, 58% of facial recognition users use the method more than once weekly.” pymnts.com

Self-Checkout Woes Continue
Walmart, Costco and other companies rethink self-checkout

The backlash against self-checkout is growing, and stores are starting to dial back on the technology after it exploded over the past few years.

Retailers are rethinking self-checkout. Shrink has been a growing problem for retailers, who have blamed shoplifting for the increase and called for tougher penalties. But retailers’ self-checkout strategies have also contributed to their shrink problems.

One study of retailers in the United States, Britain and other European countries found that companies with self-checkout lanes and apps had a loss rate of about 4%, more than double the industry average.

Stores have tried to limit losses by tightening self-checkout security features, such as adding weight sensors. But additional anti-theft measures also lead to more frustrating “unexpected item in the bagging area” errors, requiring employees to intervene.

Walmart removed self-checkout machines at some stores in New Mexico earlier this year. ShopRite pulled them at a Delaware store after customer complaints. Wegmans last year ended a mobile app that allowed customers to scan, bag and pay for groceries while they shopped after reporting losses. Costco said it’s adding more staff in self-checkout areas after it found that non-members were sneaking in to use membership cards that didn’t belong to them at self-checkout.

Five Below, the discount toy retailer, said that shrink at stores with more self-checkout lanes was higher. The company plans to increase the number of staffed cash registers in new locations. cnn.com cbsnews.com

Retailers Be Aware: Possible Unrest Coming Today
Biggest protest during S.F.’s APEC is expected today. Here’s what to know
Organizers are planning to gather again Wednesday in what could be the tensest demonstration yet in opposition to the international conference. Protesters are planning to try to block attendees from entering APEC’s CEO summit, where high-profile attendees include the CEOs of Microsoft, Google, Salesforce and OpenAI.

The No to APEC Coalition, a group of over 100 distinct activist organizations from various nationalities and with various agendas, is planning to gather in the heart of San Francisco at Market and Powell streets and march to the heavily barricaded and secured Moscone Center, where thousands of foreign dignitaries are crafting economic deals behind closed doors. With the arrival of President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping along with other world leaders, security will be the tightest it has been all week.

The protests have the potential to harm the city’s reputation, if they either get chaotic or are handled with a heavy hand by law enforcement agencies. The city is already under a microscope as officials try to clear unhoused people and open-air drug users and dealers from its streets. sfchronicle.com

Americans Cut Retail Spending By 0.1% in October
US retail sales fell in October for the first time in seven months
Americans cut their retail spending in October for the first time since March, with interest rates at a 22-year high. Retail sales, which are adjusted for seasonality but not inflation, fell 0.1% in October from the prior month, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. That’s the first monthly decline since March and was a smaller decline than economists were expecting.

October’s decline in retail spending is potentially an early sign of a slowing economy as US consumers get squeezed by higher borrowing costs and they continue to rack up credit card debt. Retail sales account for a portion of total consumer outlays, which account for about two-thirds of overall economic activity.

The National Retail Federation expects spending this holiday season, which it defines as Nov. 1 through Dec. 31, to grow 3% to 4% from the same period last year. That would be down from a 5.4% increase in holiday sales last year and a 12.7% jump in 2021, according to Commerce Department figures. cnn.com wsj.com

The Bay Area's Retail Exodus Continues
Bay Area REI store will close in January
An REI store in Fremont is closing permanently in mid-January, the company confirmed to SFGATE. The outdoor apparel and gear shop has operated at 43962 Fremont Blvd. for more than a decade. It hasn’t yet confirmed its final day of operation.

"The operating costs of the store – payroll, building and property maintenance and care – unmet sales growth, a less-than-ideal location for customers, and more mean that the location is no longer a good fit for the co-op," the spokesperson said.

The announcement comes as other large retail chains shutter locations throughout the Bay Area and REI itself rethinks its brick-and-mortar strategy. The company laid off 275 employees in October as part of a restructuring of its store operations. sfgate.com

Hy-Vee’s retail stores will be closed Thanksgiving Day

Avon Launches Retail Stores in UK

All the News - One Place - One Source - One Time

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Everon announces executive leadership team

Team includes executives with long-standing careers and wide-ranging experience in the security, fire, and life safety industry

Boca Raton, Fla., Nov. 15, 2023 - Everon, also known as ADT Commercial ("ADT Commercial" or the "Company"), a leading security integrator and premier provider of commercial security, fire and life safety in the U.S., announced today its executive leadership team since the recent completion of its acquisition by GTCR.

Everon draws on an outstanding legacy of service excellence that is strengthened by over a decade of industry expertise, with many leaders having spent the majority of their careers in the industry. The organization's executive leadership team - led by Dan Bresingham, Chief Executive Officer - is no exception.

Bresingham himself is a longtime veteran of the commercial security industry, with nearly 20 years of leadership experience that spans finance, sales strategy, go-to-market planning and operations. He most recently served as the President for ADT Commercial prior to GTCR's acquisition in October 2023, and has also held high-level leadership positions with HSM Security, STANLEY Security, and Protection 1.

"I've always said that we have the most exceptional individuals in the industry leading and working for this organization," Bresingham said. "When I look at the leadership team we've assembled, I'm confident that their unparalleled talent, knowledge, and commitment to excellence will play a pivotal role in propelling Everon to new heights."

Led by Bresingham, Everon's executive leadership team includes:

Mike McWilliams, President & Chief Operating Officer
McWilliams has spent over 30 years in the fire and life safety industry, most recently serving as Sr. Vice President, Field Operations for ADT Commercial. Previously, he was President and CEO of Red Hawk Fire & Security, prior to and through its acquisition by ADT in December 2018, and has held leadership positions with SimplexGrinnell and Tyco International.
Mark Foley, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Foley brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his role with Everon, previously serving as the Chief Financial Officer for ADT Commercial. His experience includes high-level positions for Tyco International and Red Hawk Fire & Security.
Ken Teifer, Executive Vice President, Sales
Teifer has spent nearly 35 years in the commercial security industry, and most recently held the position of Sr. Vice President, Sales for ADT Commercial. He's been a prominent sales leader across the industry, including experience with STANLEY Security and Sonitrol.
Ryan Fritts, Chief Information Officer
Fritts is a nearly 20-year veteran of the commercial security and cybersecurity space, with extensive experience in security, product, technology and software delivery. He most recently served as the Chief Information Security Officer for ADT, and has previously held technology leadership positions with STANLEY Security and Protection 1.
Kasia Moore, Chief Legal Officer
Moore brings nearly 20 years of corporate legal experience to her role with Everon, previously serving as Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Commercial for ADT. Prior to leading ADT Commercial's legal team and strategy, Moore held various legal leadership roles at Carrier, United Technologies and Lennox.
Julie Perkinson-Carpenter, Chief Human Resources Officer
Perkinson-Carpenter has over 25 years of experience as a creative and collaborative HR professional. Her recent role was Vice President, Human Resources at ADT, and she has held various leadership positions within ADT over her career.
Beth Tarnoff, Chief Marketing Officer
Tarnoff has been an award-winning marketing leader in the commercial security space for nearly 20 years, and most recently held the position of Vice President, Marketing & Communications for ADT Commercial. Prior to ADT Commercial, she led marketing programs at STANLEY Security and HSM Security.
Jay Robertson, Sr. Vice President, Organization Transition
Robertson is a 20-plus year veteran of the security industry, spending most of his career at ADT and Protection 1. He most recently served as the Sr. Vice President, Product Management for ADT Commercial, and prior to that, held the position of Sr. Vice President, Product Marketing for ADT.
Ed Bacco, Vice President, Emerging Technologies
Bacco brings more than 30 years of security management, physical security and project management experience and expertise to his role with Everon. He previously held the same position with ADT Commercial, and throughout his career has served in leadership roles for Aronson Security Group, Amazon and the National Transportation Security Operation Center.

"Over the years, I've witnessed firsthand the value that these leaders can bring - not only to our organization, but the industry as a whole," Bresingham continued. "Their experience, expertise, and determination are unmatched, and I know they'll be central to our success at Everon.

Everon was built over the last decade by some of the most trusted names in commercial security. In that time, teams remained focused on providing comprehensive, scalable solutions to address the unique needs of mid-market, national and large-scale organizations, and established a new industry standard for customer-driven service excellence and delivery. With GTCR's acquisition of ADT Commercial in October 2023, Everon has emerged as an innovator and service excellence champion protecting commercial people, property, and assets across industries.

For more information, please visit everonsolutions.com.

CISOs Facing 'Seismic Shift'
SEC Suit Ushers in New Era of Cyber Enforcement

A federal push to enforce cybersecurity requirements is holding public companies and government contractors accountable as a matter of law and for national security.

The Securities and Exchange Commission's lawsuit against SolarWinds for misleading cybersecurity disclosures didn't just make headlines — it made history. The case represents a seismic shift in regulatory expectations and enforcement around cybersecurity, particularly for public companies and government contractors.

Organizations handling sensitive data now face a new era of accountability and scrutiny, where meeting mandatory minimum cybersecurity standards is considered essential to fiduciary duty and, for federal contractors, national security.

Make no mistake; this isn't just the SEC flexing its regulatory muscle. SolarWinds is the opening salvo in a coordinated federal push to enforce cybersecurity requirements. The line in the sand everyone has been waiting for has finally been drawn.

Line in the Sand

Practically speaking, this means that chief information security officers (CISOs) at publicly traded companies will have to be much more thoughtful and documented in designing, implementing, and managing their cybersecurity programs. Similar to statements made, reports generated, and opinions issued by chief financial officers, CISOs now have a similar weight on their shoulders. Some may welcome this, as they've been advocating for a seat at the table for many years. It's good news and bad news: You got your seat at the table, and it comes with accountability.

Risk Work-Around: darkreading.com

DHS Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Releases Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence 

Roadmap Will Guide CISA’s Efforts to Manage the Risks and Harness the Opportunities Posed by Artificial Intelligence to Cybersecurity

WASHINGTON – Today the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) released its first Roadmap for Artificial Intelligence (AI), adding to the significant DHS and broader whole-of-government effort to ensure the secure development and implementation of artificial intelligence capabilities. DHS plays a critical role in ensuring AI safety and security nationwide.

As the nation’s cyber defense agency and the national coordinator for critical infrastructure security and resilience, CISA envisions a secure and resilient digital ecosystem for the nation that supports unparalleled innovation and significant enhancement of critical infrastructure services provided to the American public. CISA’s roadmap outlines five lines of effort:

Line of Effort 1: Responsibly use AI to support our mission. CISA will use AI-enabled software tools to strengthen cyber defense and support its critical infrastructure mission.

Line of Effort 2: Assess and Assure AI systems. CISA will assess and assist secure by design, AI-based software adoption across a diverse array of stakeholders, including federal civilian government agencies; private sector companies; and state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) governments.

Line of Effort 3: Protect critical infrastructure from malicious use of AI. CISA will assess and recommend mitigation of AI threats facing our nation’s critical infrastructure in partnership with other government agencies and industry partners that develop, test, and evaluate AI tools.

Line of Effort 4: Collaborate and communicate on key AI efforts with the interagency, international partners, and the public. CISA will contribute to DHS-led and interagency efforts, including developing policy approaches for the U.S. government’s overall national strategy on cybersecurity and AI, and supporting a whole-of-DHS approach on AI-based-software policy issues.

Line of Effort 5: Expand AI expertise in our workforce. CISA will continue to educate our workforce on AI software systems and techniques, and the agency will continue to actively recruit interns, fellows, and future employees with AI expertise.  

To learn more about DHS’s role in ensuring AI safety and security nationwide, visit DHS.gov/AI.

Just 26% of Retailers Disrupted Cyber Hijacking Over Past Year
"Retailers are losing ground in the battle against ransomware"

Retail Struggling to Quash Ransomware Attacks
Retail organizations face increasing difficulty in stopping ransomware attacks, with only 26% of consumer outfits this past year able to disrupt a cyber hijacking before their data was encrypted. According to Sophos’ State of Ransomware in Retail 2023, the figure is a three-year low for the sector, a decline from 34% in 2021 and 28% in 2022.

"Retailers are losing ground in the battle against ransomware," said Chester Wisniewski, Sophos’ director and global field chief technology officer. "Ransomware criminals have been encrypting increasingly greater percentages of their retail victims in the last three years, as evidenced by the steadily declining rate of retailers stopping cybercriminal attacks in progress. Retailers must up their defensive game by setting up security that detects and responds to intrusions earlier in the attack chain.”

Retail Industry is Top Attack Target

Additional key findings from the report include:

• The retail sector experienced its highest rate of encryption over the past three years, with 71% of those organizations targeted by ransomware stating that attackers successfully encrypted their data.

• The percentage of retail organizations attacked by ransomware declined from 77% last year to 69% this year.

• The percentage of retail organizations that recovered in less than a day decreased from 15% to 9% this year, while the percentage of retail organizations that took more than a month to recover increased from 17% to 21%.

• Organizations that met the cyber kidnappers’ demands were four times the recovery costs of those that used backups to recover their data ($3,000,000 versus $750,000). msspalert.com

21 Vulnerabilities Discovered in Crucial IT-OT Connective Routers

Juniper networking devices under attack

E-Commerce Double Whammy
Will Temu Topple Both Amazon and Dollar Stores?
According to The Washington Post, “Retail industry watchers are saying that Amazon.com Inc. has met its match with the viral popularity of online shopping app Temu.” One of Temu’s most famous slogans is “shop like a billionaire.” It’s been paraded at the Super Bowl as well as on ads all over Facebook, Google, and more.

This pricing strategy has led many to liken Temu to SHEIN, a Chinese fast-fashion giant known for its affordable assortment of apparel and home items, which has successfully penetrated markets like the United States. Coresight Research pointed out that besides SHEIN, Temu also competes with Wish and Alibaba’s AliExpress.

Though Temu might seem like an “Amazon killer” to some, recent data from Earnest Analytics, a consumer data research company, indicates that Temu’s successful rise has actually had the biggest impact on Dollar General Corp. and Dollar Tree Inc. According to the firm’s in-depth study, which focused on existing brand customers and their spending habits across competitive brands, Temu’s slice in the discount market soared from 0% to a whopping 14% within the year ending in September.

This trend signifies Temu’s potential to disrupt the market grip that dollar stores have had on budget-conscious and discount-driven consumers for years. retailwire.com

Retailers Partner With Amazon Ahead of Holidays
Amazon's Buy with Prime is expanding just in time for holiday shopping
Amazon’s Buy with Prime is partnering with an unknown number of online retailers to allow purchases using customer’s existing Amazon Prime credentials. Prime members also get the benefits and safeguards of their purchase, like free returns and free one to two day shipping. A customer’s Amazon shipping address and payment method are already linked, too, said Larsen.

The company declined to share the number of participating retailers, but Larsen described the numbers as growing daily. Customers can shop Buy with Prime retailers by going to www.amazon.com/buywithprime or via a Buy with Prime link directly on the third-party's website.

After a Buy with Prime purchase, Amazon customers can see their order status on their Amazon account and have access to Amazon’s customer service if there any issues, Larsen said.

Free returns are handled the same way as Amazon Prime products, with a choice of drop off option at UPS stores, Whole Foods or Amazon locations or lockers, he said. usatoday.com

79% of Shoppers Shop Online Once Per Month
I Stopped Online Shopping and Here’s What I Learned
If you have an online shopping habit, you’re not alone. According to a list of top e-commerce statistics from Forbes, 79% of shoppers shop online at least once per month. That’s likely because it’s so convenient; a whopping 91% of people make purchases from their smartphone. Not only that, but there’s a constant barrage of targeted ads to tempt shoppers to make purchases on social media platforms, like Facebook and Instagram, with 96.9 million people doing so. In fact, 40% of people make a social media purchase due to social media influence — also known as a desire to “keep up with the Joneses.” gobankingrates.com

Video: Inside Amazon’s Strategy to Redefine Fast Shipping, Again
Amazon is the king of fast delivery—it pioneered the two-day shipping model customers have come to expect. But to stay ahead of Target and Walmart, it’s overhauling its distribution network. WSJ visits a same-day facility to explore the company’s fast-shipping strategy.

Amazon says it will run shopping ads on Snap

Amazon cuts more than 180 jobs in gaming division

Montgomery County, MD: Thieves ram gun store with car, steal guns and ammo
Thieves in Montgomery County, Maryland, used a car to ram through the front door of a gun store in Damascus on Sunday, police said. Three people were able to get away with an “undisclosed number” of guns, plus ammunition, county police said. The burglary at AM Shooting, in the 26100 block of Ridge Road, occurred early Sunday, police said. Officers responded to a report of a break-in at about 3:50 a.m. They found that the thieves had crashed a Hyundai sedan into the front door. They made it inside, stole guns and ammunition, and drove off in a second car, police said. The shattered glass doors of the store were covered with plywood on Monday morning, and the store was closed. The Hyundai was left outside the store and had extensive damage to its rear end. nbcwashington.com

Hamilton Township, NJ: Police Officer Tries To Stop Fleeing Shoplifter, Gets Dragged By Car
A Hamilton Police Officer was dragged by a car when he tried to stop a shoplifter from fleeing, the police department said. On Nov. 7, around 3:35 p.m., officers Tim Young, Joshua Doan and Anthony Lucidi responded to a shoplifting in progress at the Home Depot in Hamilton Township. When they arrived at the scene, Young and Doan identified the vehicle and occupants described to dispatch and approached the vehicle in the parking lot. Young ordered the driver, Daray L. Wesby, out of the vehicle. When Daray exited, the front-seat passenger, Eric D. Murphy, got into the driver's seat and attempted to drive away, police said. Young immediately tried to stop Murphy by grabbing him. Murphy put the car into drive and dragged Young, going backward and forward with the vehicle numerous times until the officer was able to gain control of Murphy and place him in custody, police said. Once the vehicle was stopped, the rear passenger, Michael C. Brown, exited and ran on foot. He was chased down and taken into custody by Officer Doan. During this altercation, the original driver of the vehicle, Wesby, fled the area on foot, police said. Brown was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and shoplifting. Murphy was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and shoplifting. Wesby was placed on a summons for obstruction. While this was happening, some of the merchandize from the shoplifting were dropped in the parking lot and picked up by Stephanie L. Diaz, who treid to return the items for a refund. She was turned away after she could not produce a receipt, and she left Home Depot with the merchandise. She was charged with shoplifting and placed on a summons, police said. patch.com

Selma, NC: 4 people arrested in Selma after $8,000 worth of merchandise stolen
The Selma Police Department arrested four suspects in connection to a break-in where nearly $8000 of merchandise was stolen. According to police, the Selma police were dispatched to 25 JR Road about an alarm activation around 3 a.m. Monday morning. When officers arrived they confirmed a break-in had occurred. Officers were able to get a description of the suspects, and put out a be on the lookout (BOLO) on the suspects and their vehicle. Police say a total of 71 cartons of cigarettes, 73 Five Hour Energy shots, 83 lighters and beer were taken from the store. cbs17.com

Cleveland, OH: Police hunt for 4 TJ Maxx shoplifting suspects
Police in Cleveland are looking for 4 suspects caught on camera shoplifting at TJ Maxx. The light-hearted post noted that while stuffing is a holiday tradition, stuffing merchandise in shirts and stealing it is not one of those time-honored traditions. local3news.com

Hempfield, PA: Couple sought in theft of $3K worth of assorted merchandise from Hempfield Lowe's

Memphis, TM: Blitz robbery of FedEx truck raises concerns

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Shootings & Deaths

Williamsport, PA: 14-year-old’s shooting leads to evidence that may be linked to Williamsport firearms store burglary
In the late afternoon of Nov. 3, Williamsport police were dispatched to the emergency department at UPMC Williamsport to investigate a report of a teenager who suffered a gunshot wound to the foot, according to court records that became public Monday. The documents indicate that evidence detectives gathered from this investigation may very well be tied to the burglary at the National Range and Armory, which took place the same day several hours earlier. The injured 14-year-old and a juvenile friend were brought to the hospital by a rideshare driver, police added. “The boy’s foot was wrapped in a blue hospital pad, and blood was coming from the gauze,” according to an affidavit that was part of a search warrant. sungazette.com

CT man sentenced to 30 years for fatal shooting during botched robbery outside gas station

Robberies, Incidents & Thefts

Phoenix, AZ: Man critically hurt after electrical box explodes at Home Depot
A man is fighting for his life at a Phoenix hospital with severe burn injuries after an electrical box exploded at a Home Depot on Tuesday. Phoenix firefighters responded to the store near 36th Street and Thomas Road around 10 a.m. Details are limited, but firefighters at the scene said that the victim suffered “significant burns to his face and hands.” Crews were then able to keep the fire from extending into the rest of the building. Video from the scene showed a number of workers standing outside of the store. At this time, a building systems specialist is now working to determine whether the store is safe enough to remain open. No other information has been released, and it’s unclear whether the victim was an electrical worker or an employee at the store. azfamily.com

Memphis, TN: Shoplifter threatens Kroger worker with gun
Police are looking for a man they say stole a shopping cart full of items from an East Memphis Kroger and threatened a Kroger employee with a gun in the parking lot. According to the police report, the suspect entered the store in the 500 block of Mendenhall Road at 7:30 in the morning on October 30, filled up his cart, and left without paying. A Kroger employee said while the man was loading up his car, they took his picture, and that’s when the suspect covered his face and produced a handgun. He never pointed the weapon directly at anyone, police said. The suspect left in a silver four-door Dodge Ram pickup truck and is now facing a charge of aggravated assault. Kroger employees told officers they didn’t know how much merchandise was taken or the value. wreg.com

Suffolk County, NY: Suspected serial arsonist named Burnside charged with armed robbery hours after leaving jail
A serial arson suspect, who a New York judge freed without bail Monday, ignited a new investigation less than two hours later on armed robbery charges, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office. Amanda Burnside, a Southampton woman who was accused of lighting fires at three houses, was released on her own recognizance despite prosecutors' request that the judge set bail at $500,000 or $1 million bond. A judge ordered her to report for supervised release within 72 hours. Instead, according to authorities, she waited less than two hours before she acquired a knife, went into a Dollar Tree store and tried to rob it. "Clearly, the dangerousness of this defendant, who allegedly tried to ignite three homes on fire, was not adequately considered, given that within two hours of her arraignment, she allegedly committed another serious, violent felony," Tierney said Monday night. Furthermore, the danger that this defendant posed to society could never be adequately considered insofar as dangerousness is not a bail factor that judges can consider under New York State law." New York's unpopular bail reform laws have been a thorny issue for Democrats in the state and local jurisdictions. Suffolk County Republican Ed Romaine will become the first GOP county executive in 20 years after last week's election win. news.yahoo.com

Memphis, TN: 70-year-old security guard no match for robbers in store
A 70-year-old security guard was pushed to the ground and locked inside a bathroom during a robbery last week at Worley Auto Parts in Southwest Memphis. Police are looking for two men caught on camera searching the office of the business on New Horn Lake Road and stealing a cashbox and cash register. Investigators said the armed robbers cut a hole in the side of the fence surrounding Worley and pried open the office door. Once inside, the security guard said they pointed a gun at him, pushed him down, and locked him inside the restroom. The robbers blocked the bathroom door with a welding machine, but the security guard was able to free himself and call 911. Worley Auto Parts employees said the thieves got about $1,250 from a cash box hidden in the office and an undetermined amount of money from the cash drawer. This is at least the fourth business robbery in Memphis over the last month, where armed robbers have forced their way inside and threatened employees before leaving with cash. wreg.com

Portland, OR: Business owner receives random act of kindness after multiple break-ins, pays it forward
A series of unfortunate events led to a random act of kindness for a Portland business owner. Now, he’s paying it forward. The owner of Outrageous Audio is not letting a string of recent break-ins break his holiday spirit. “We do car stereo, remote starts, security system, video systems. We do everything for the car, even under light systems,” Blane Hartleb, owner of Outrageous Audio, said. From car stereos to lighting, Hartleb has run his business, Outrageous Audio, in southeast Portland for decades. “We’ve been there 37 plus years. Started when I was a teenager,” Hartleb said. FOX 12 recently spoke with Hartleb about his frustrations after his store was broken into twice in the span of a month. “The first, the warehouse we had that broken into, all the locks were damaged. And then a month later, we had our front door kicked in,” Hartleb said. Then, Hartleb received a random act of kindness. “When the news story ran, we had a guy call us, Matt from Town & Country Glass,” Hartleb said. “He goes, you know, I just want to pay it forward, I own a small business here in Portland. And I want to take care of the glass. So, I couldn’t believe it, all of us were shocked.” Now, Hartleb is also paying it forward. “Our Facebook group, we asked them what should we donate to, and they said children and pets,” Hartleb said. FOX 12 caught up with him as he dropped off his donation of more than $5,000 to the Oregon Humane Society (OHS) on Monday. He will also be making the same donation of more than $5,000 to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. kdrv.com

Tom Bean, TX: Suspected alcohol shoplifter leads police on chase through two counties

Jonesboro, AR: Suspect Faces Multiple Charges After Alleged Walmart Shoplifting and Fight with Police

Cary, NC: Multiple restaurants targeted in break-in spree in Cary and Raleigh

Jacksonville, FL: Man accused of robbery spree that hit Dominos, vape shop, 2 banks, more

Milwaukee, WI: 4 charged in connection to armed robbery of U.S. Mail carriers

Winston-Salem, NC: 2 Stanly men sentenced for roles in AT&T and Pawn shop robberies in Cabarrus County

Lancaster, PA: Two Philadelphia men accused of participating in string of thefts from Lancaster-area fitness centers

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Loss Prevention Manager (House of Sport)
Boston, MA - posted October 10

As a Loss Prevention Manager, you will support the Store Leadership team in achieving company objectives by managing all Loss Prevention programs and policies within the store. This key role will have the tremendous responsibility of keeping our associates, customers and our store safe...

District Asset Protection Partner
Tucson and Chandler/Phoenix Area - posted September 27

The Asset Protection (AP) Partner is a strong communicator, advisor, investigator, and compliance partner. This role is responsible for asset protection program execution at all levels and implementing methods to prevent, and control losses, in support of protecting company assets. This role collaborates with store teams, Human Resources, Supply Chain, and District Management...

Asset Protection Specialist
Newburgh, NY - posted September 25

The Asset Protection Specialist role at Ocean State Job Lot is responsible for protecting company assets and monitoring store activities to reduce property or financial losses. This role partners closely with store leadership and the Human Resources team, when applicable, to investigate known or suspected internal theft, external theft, and vendor fraud...

Security Director
Chicago, IL - posted September 7

Reporting to the VP of Corporate Security, the Director of Corporate Security is a professional security practitioner that acts as an advisor/consultant to the assigned Property Management Group. Responsibilities include monitoring security vendors' performance, evaluating for contract compliance, and serving as a program quality control manager...

District Asset Protection Manager
Washington, DC - posted August 31

The MidAtlantic Division has an opening for a District Asset Protection Manager in Northern Virginia. This person will support Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun counties. This is a salary role with up to 70% travel within the assigned district. District Asset Protection Manager will provide positive/proactive leadership, and instruction in the area of Security/Asset Protection...

Corporate & Supply Chain Asset Protection Leader
Quincy, MA - posted August 3

The primary purpose of this position is to manage the Corporate Asset Protection function for all US Support Offices and Supply Chain. Direct team in the design, implementation and management of physical security processes and equipment to ensure facilities are considered a safe and secure environment for all associates and external parties...

Occupational Health & Safety Manager
Mount Horeb, WI - posted July 27

This role is responsible for examining the workplace for environmental or physical factors that could affect employee or guest health, safety, comfort, and performance. This role is also responsible for reducing the frequency and severity of accidents. To be successful in the role, you will need to work closely with management, employees, and relevant regulatory bodies...

Region Asset Protection Manager
Jacksonville, FL - posted October 24

Responsible for managing asset protection programs designed to minimize shrink, associate and customer liability accidents, bad check and cash loss, and safety incidents for stores within assigned region. This position will develop the framework for the groups’ response to critical incidents, investigative needs, safety concerns and regulatory agency visits...

Regional AP Mgr - South FL Market - Bilingual required
Miami, FL - posted August 8

Responsible for managing asset protection programs designed to minimize shrink, associate and customer liability accidents, bad check and cash loss, and safety incidents for stores within assigned region. This position will develop the framework for the groups' response to critical incidents, investigative needs, safety concerns and regulatory agency visits...

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Change is the only constant. Embracing it and dealing with it, while absolutely necessary, can be a daunting task that is difficult for everyone. Psychologists believe that humans strive to eliminate fear by avoiding change when, in fact, change can be the best thing for us. Those that run to it usually are in front, and those that avoid it most of the time end up in the rear.

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