MISSING PERSON in Houston, Texas
Marc Martir - Son of Enrique Martir, Assistant Manager DC Loss Prevention for Academy Sports + Outdoors
20 year-old Marc Martir was last seen boarding a Greyhound bus in downtown Houston, Texas on December 12th 2019. Marc is a victim of Asperger’s Syndrome, which is a form of Autism. Other than a gray University of Houston baseball cap and dark “Costa” brand sunglasses; it is unknown what color, style or type of other clothing that Marc was wearing. Marc was carrying a black Swiss brand backpack, and a large, dark blue “Skybag” brand duffle bag on wheels. If you have seen Marc Martir since his reported disappearance, if you know of his current whereabouts, or if you have any information whatsoever concerning Marc’s disappearance; please call the Houston Police Department at (832) 394-1840 – or call Texas EquuSearch at (281) 309-9500.  texasequusearch.org
 

APPRISS RETAIL NAMED A LEADER BY RIS NEWS
Annual Ranking Pegs Appriss as a Top Player in Retail Across 22 Separate Categories

Appriss Retail, the industry leader in retail performance improvement solutions, today announced that the company has been named a leader by RIS News as a part of the publication’s LeaderBoard 2020 study. The RIS News LeaderBoard is one of the retail industry’s most prestigious benchmark reports – ranking retail technology companies on customer satisfaction, performance, and value. Appriss Retail ranked as one of the top solution providers in 22 of 51 categories. Read more in today's Vendor Spotlight below.
 

Enhance security and communication with ONVIF 2-way audio support now available with exacqVision 19.12
Johnson Controls introduces exacqVision VMS 19.12, providing enhanced security and communication with new ONVIF 2-way audio support, and offering more camera license deployment flexibility for Enterprise Manager customers, adding to the powerful features of Exacq VMS software. Exacq’s ONVIF camera integration supports the ability to talk and listen through IP cameras equipped with audio I/O. This new feature is available with exacqVision 19.12 and is perfect for businesses who utilize entryway cameras to authorize visitors. Operators can hear what a visitor is saying and communicate back using the camera’s outbound audio. tycosp.com
 

Fraud levels have more than doubled globally over the past five years
New account fraud has gone up 18 percent in 2019 compared to 2018 global reports, adding up to a 106.8 percent increase over 2014 levels, says new data from Jumio.

Although a 19 percent decrease was noticed during the Black Friday/Cyber Monday weekend in 2019, fraud levels are still significantly high, especially in emerging markets, outlines Jumio’s Holiday Fraud Report.

Creating a fake new account is the first step in identity fraud. The double-digit increase in 2019 in new account fraud, account takeovers and identity theft are likely a consequence of the recent massive data breaches, including from Facebook, First American Financial and Verifications.io. biometricupdate.com

Mexico: Highway robberies on the rise as drug cartels target
holiday travelers, commercial cargo trucks
Highway robbery in Mexico tends to spike around the Christmas and Easter holidays, when tens of thousands of U.S. residents venture south to visit family members, often bearing gifts that make them more of a target, public safety analysts say. And with the drug cartels now targeting commercial trucks and their cargo as well, it’s important to exercise extreme caution on Mexican highways.

“As we get closer to the holidays, the criminals want to score extra cash so they can buy stuff for their families. They will even steal (gifts) for the kids in their own family,” said Scott Stewart, vice president of tactical analysis for Stratford Global Intelligence, an Austin, Texas-based private security group.

More trucks, more cargo ... more criminals roaming highways

According to Mexico News Daily, more than 1,500 robberies have been recorded this year on Mexican highways. The thefts have cost Mexican manufacturers more than $68 million and have occurred primarily along four roads: Progreso-Monterrey; Veracruz-Puebla; Celaya-Leon and Guanajuato-Irapuato. The article quoted a Nuevo Leon business leader as saying that half of the manufacturers in the state have had at least one cargo stolen, and some have lost the truck as well. kron4.com

New Zealand: The Warehouse trialing safety cameras as part of staff uniform
Retail crime swindles New Zealand businesses of $1 billion in direct losses each year, with The Warehouse now trialling new protective equipment for staff. The major retailer has been trialing different uniforms and personal protective equipment, with staff wearing items such as vests and cameras.

The Warehouse's manager of national loss prevention, Phil Morley, said customers' privacy was something The Warehouse respected and signage was posted in stores stating the use of CCTV cameras.

Managing director of First Retail Group Chris Wilkinson told the Herald cameras were likely not to be recording customers full-time. "Typically the cameras are only activated when staff are managing a situation, so customers shouldn't be concerned." The retail expert said cameras reduced risk through greater visible measures, kept people safe and limited their burden on the justice system. nzherald.co.nz

Smile! 3D facial recognition is raising kiosk value
3D technology is changing the way we interact with retail. Wherever you look, from inventory robots to customer research, sales displays, even virtual fitting rooms and store security, 3D imaging is creating a retail future that's more efficient and profitable. Today, 3D cameras are about the size of an AA battery and can instantly recognize objects, environments and people with split second accuracy.

Paired with other devices, 3D cameras can be used to create a new virtual sales experience, with machine integration costing no more than the price of a good 2D digital camera. The most ubiquitous use for 3D in retail will be at the checkout. Kiosks with 3D facial authentication will make transactions faster and more secure, enhance loyalty programs and help to comply with local ordinances and regulations.

Payments and transactions
Even compared to modern chip readers, facial recognition is the fastest and most secure transaction validator. 3D facial recognition is very useful in high density urban areas where lifestyles are hectic. When checkout speed is critical, people want to complete their purchases as quickly and accurately as possible. At fast food restaurants, even a minute is perceived as slow.

Studies show that facial recognition functionality stems from the natural way one interacts with the device. Fingerprints, as well as passwords and other forms of data entry, require customer action and can be impossible to remember. Facial recognition is fast and tamper proof. Moreover, it allows customers to leave their credit cards and smartphones in their pockets — or even at home.

Loyalty programs
Once a customer is accurately identified, a number of customized relationship options become available. Retailers can award loyalty discounts or make free offers available on the spot to delight the shopper. Customers no longer have to bring their coupons with them either — once identified, the system will know which coupons the customer has been given.

Compliance and loss prevention
Identities that are confirmed through 3D facial recognition ensure that sales aren't made to underage or otherwise prohibited purchasers. Some retailers have even used facial recognition to reduce fraud and theft by identifying people at checkout who have made fraudulent or partial purchases in the past.

Around the world, 3D facial recognition is advancing the usability of self-serve POS kiosk systems. It is quickly becoming the norm in China, thanks in part to Alibaba's Alipay system, and has found its way into solutions from other vendors. 3D has only begun to move into the U.S. But given its proven popularity and business benefits, it's a safe bet that it will please American shoppers — and bring a smile to merchant faces as well. retailcustomerexperience.com

NRF: Nearly 148 million Americans plan to shop Super Saturday
Super Saturday continues to be the biggest shopping day of the year with an estimated 147.8 million U.S. consumers expected to participate, up from 134.3 million last year, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics.

“While many people started holiday shopping early, those who waited until Thanksgiving weekend are feeling the pressure due to the limited number of days this year between Thanksgiving and Christmas,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “But there is still time to catch up. The last Saturday before Christmas has become the biggest shopping day of the year, and we expect an impressive turnout by procrastinators and those who just want to take advantage of really good deals.”

The number of people shopping on Super Saturday includes both in-store and online activity. The number compares with the 189.6 million unique shoppers over the full five-day Thanksgiving weekend. nrf.com

The Bezos ‘relentless’ strategy at Amazon has been on full display this week
If you enter “relentless.com” into your web browser, you might be surprised to see it takes you to Amazon. That’s because CEO Jeff Bezos almost named his company “Relentless,” according to a 2014 New Yorker profile of Bezos.

But even though Bezos chose a friendlier name for the company, the “relentless” strategy has guided Amazon over the years as it’s evolved from an online bookseller to an e-commerce giant to the leader in cloud computing. And, if need be, Amazon has a history of relentlessly snuffing out competitors and playing hardball wherever possible.

Here’s the latest example: On Sunday, Amazon informed third-party sellers that they could no longer use FedEx Ground for shipping items to Prime customers. When the news got out Monday in The Wall Street Journal, FedEx’s stock fell nearly 2%, and FedEx was forced to criticize the move. cnbc.com

Report: Credit Suisse says Amazon has its own holiday shipping issues
Is Amazon banning some FedEx ground deliveries a case of the pot calling the kettle black? According to SeekingAlpha, multinational financial firm Credit Suisse has issued a note suggesting Amazon’s decision to block its third-party sellers from using FedEx ground shipment services (except for Prime deliveries) may be a diversionary tactic.

“We cannot help but wonder whether the news is symptomatic of broader delivery issues that Amazon’s own network might be facing as we approach the final days of what is an already compressed peak season – particularly given the added constraints of one-day shipping and fewer external carrier options (non-renewal of FedEx Express/Ground contracts)," Credit Suisse said. chainstoreage.com

Researchers assert food deserts can be profitable
Dallas has a severe “food desert” problem affecting the southern part of the city. As with many lower-income urban areas, grocery chains have shied away due to the assumption that there is not enough disposable income to warrant a store. A soon to be released study from University of North Texas professor Dr. Chetan Tiwari and market research expert Ed Rincón, however, contends that supermarket operators are missing out on an opportunity. Essentially, they argue, since poor people need to eat, they spend a large percentage of their income on food, and will do so outside of their neighborhoods if they can’t find fresh food nearby. retailwire.com

Neiman Marcus Sets Up Selling Stations Inside Stores
The lines between ecommerce and brick-and-mortar continue to blur. Not only can shoppers return ecommerce orders to some department stores, shoppers can now sell certain items inside some stores. Neiman Marcus has opened selling studios inside four of its stores in time for the holiday shopping season. To the high-end chain, it means two things: customers can resell items so they can purchase more new products from the store; and it can attract younger or less affluent shoppers to their brand. ecommercebytes.com

Bed Bath & Beyond’s new CEO just blew up his executive circle - in the midst of the holiday season

Target extending holiday store hours and delivery deadlines

Mastercard SpendingPulse: Holiday retail sales up 3% so far

Wine and liquor suppliers are facing a 400 percent tax hike

These 91 companies paid no federal taxes in 2018
 

Senior LP & AP Jobs Market

Ralph Lauren reposts VP, Asset Protection, North America job on LinkedIn
The Company is seeking a Vice President, Asset Protection based in Nutley, New Jersey. This leader will be passionate about our mission – to serve everyone like family. This simple, passionate mission provides a better shopping experience for our customer, shows respect, value and development for our team, and creates growth for our shareholders.

In addition, the role oversees and directs North America Asset Protection related functions for multi-state distribution centers and large retail store network as well as supports the SVP of Asset Protection and Internal Audit in executing the strategy with a goal of minimizing shrink, ensuring compliance, and maximizing security and associate safety. linkedin.com
 

NRF 2020 Big Show - Featured Session
Stronger together: The power of cybersecurity industry collaboration
Retailers are competing every day for customers’ time and attention, but it is possible to be fully collaborative (and non-competitive) in service of protecting consumer information?

At NRF 2020 Vision: Retail's Big Show, Target’s CISO, Rich Agostino, will talk about Target’s journey to build an industry-leading program, train the next generation of cybersecurity leaders and stay ahead of the latest threats. He will be joined by Dave Estlick, CISO at Starbucks, and Adam Mishler, VP, Global CISO at Best Best Buy, to discuss the importance of strong industry cybersecurity collaboration and the power of joint cyber intelligence to fight the bad guys together. Register Here

Ransomware Gangs Now Outing Victim Businesses That Don’t Pay Up
As if the scourge of ransomware wasn’t bad enough already: Several prominent purveyors of ransomware have signaled they plan to start publishing data stolen from victims who refuse to pay up. To make matters worse, one ransomware gang has now created a public Web site identifying recent victim companies that have chosen to rebuild their operations instead of quietly acquiescing to their tormentors.

Less than 48 hours ago, the cybercriminals behind the Maze Ransomware strain erected a Web site on the public Internet, and it currently lists the company names and corresponding Web sites for eight victims of their malware that have declined to pay a ransom demand.

“Represented here companies dont wish to cooperate with us, and trying to hide our successful attack on their resources,” the site explains in broken English. “Wait for their databases and private papers here. Follow the news!” krebsonsecurity.com

Study: Online fraud grows sophisticated
Cyberattacks are more closely mimicking human behavior and following seasonal patterns.

According to the “2019 Fraud Risk at a Glance Report” from Mastercard company NuData Security, fraudsters are beginning to focus on quality of attack, rather than volume. Sophisticated attacks that display expected browser or application behavior and runs scripts in the environment to create this human-like interaction increased 430% between July and November 2019 compared to the first six months of the year.

February was the peak month for cyberattacks in the retail sector. The days in 2019 with the most e-commerce fraud were Feb. 25, Jan. 3, and Feb. 24. The countries responsible for the highest percentages of cyberattacks (in alphabetical order) were Brazil, India, Indonesia, Russian Federation, Thailand, Ukraine, United States, and Vietnam.

Cyberattacks originating in the U.S. include attempts made by fraudsters in other countries who mask their location as the U.S. to decrease the chance of detection. Almost all the attacks made from all of these countries are account takeover (ATO) attacks, which include fraud attempts at login and password reset. NuData advises that retailers can blacklist these attempts and automatically challenge them if they come from countries with high-risk and less-trusted traffic. chainstoreage.com

Harnessing Big Data in the Physical Security Industry
The physical security industry is rich with contextual data. Here’s how harnessing that data can help the industry in a multitude of ways.

The collection of data is easier in some instances than others, but harnessing those sources can help the industry in a multitude of ways, including improvements in operational efficiencies, commercial growth opportunities and improved customer satisfaction.

Understanding Big Data & Its Importance
The large and complex data pool becomes what is commonly referred to as Big Data, and the aggregation of this data into an accessible location(s) is the Data Lake. The analysis of this data is referred to as data mining, which can be enabled through advanced statistics, machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).

These advanced algorithms allow security providers to gain insight into customer systems and help identify any anomalies which could have otherwise gone unnoticed.

What Big Data Means to the Security Industry
Within the security industry, the back-end management systems have become increasingly sophisticated and the use of sensor data and other physical security data is now feasible. This has enabled our industry to analyze information at hand in numerous ways — such that we can enhance our forensic operations and use the power of machine learning and AI to help us make predictions.

Challenges With Big Data Management
The biggest challenge lies in bringing together all the myriad data sources that could be understood and processed by computer systems. In many cases, data can be unstructured (for example, free textual data), while in other cases the integrity of the data is questionable (for example, different regions of the country enter similar customer information in disparate fields.)

Our Role as Security Integrators
More and more of the client base is moving toward Big Data-based systems for their own use and are expecting the same from their security providers. In the coming few years, Big Data mining will continue to grow in our space and we will have to be ready for it. This is our future. securitysales.com

Brookline, MA bans government use of facial recognition, cites dubious inaccuracy claim

Microsoft patent filing shows new 3D facial biometric technology with multi-spectral camera array