It's 'Agilence Week' on the D&D Daily! Follow along in the 'Vendor Spotlight' column below as Agilence showcases LP/AP solutions for the retail industry

Auror to unveil new LP tech & mission at NRF Protect

As the retail industry gears up for NRF Protect in Grapevine (June 23-25), the D&D team is keeping an eye on key solution providers addressing critical retail crime challenges. One company on our radar is Auror. They'll be showcasing their latest advancements at Booth #301.

Auror is offering live demos where you can see how their Retail Crime Intelligence Platform helps retailers:

• Cut LP losses by connecting intel: By leveraging AI to link known offenders, vehicles, and cases across stores, they help reveal ORC networks.

• Prevent crime & harm in real-time: Their platform focuses on turning intelligence into actionable insights with AI-powered detection to help safely stop repeat offenders before threats escalate.

• Resolve cases faster through collaboration: Their software is designed to enable more effective work between retailers and law enforcement, to close cases and improve safety.

Auror will also be providing a sneak peek into new and upcoming innovations, including updates to Audits, the much-anticipated Retail Crime Hub by Auror & Axon, advancements in AI-Assisted Voice Reporting, and real-time POI (Person of Interest) notifications.

Facial Recognition Finds Its Niche in Retail:
From Loss Prevention to Personalized Service

By the D&D Daily staff

As retailers face mounting pressure to combat theft, streamline operations, and enhance customer experiences, facial recognition technology is emerging as a multi-functional tool that offers more than just security.

While the technology is often associated with loss prevention—identifying repeat offenders or flagging individuals with known criminal histories—its applications are beginning to extend beyond theft deterrence. Some forward-looking retailers are leveraging facial recognition to improve everything from loyalty programs to customer service, transforming it into a value-adding asset on the sales floor.

In markets where privacy regulations allow, facial recognition can be used to identify returning customers and tailor their in-store experience. A shopper enrolled in a loyalty program might be greeted by name or offered personalized discounts based on purchase history. The goal, retailers say, is to create a seamless blend of online convenience and in-store engagement.

“There’s potential to use this technology to treat regular customers like VIPs,” said Amanda Ruiz, a retail innovation consultant. “It’s not just about catching shoplifters—it’s about creating smarter, more responsive environments.”

Operationally, facial recognition can also help retailers detect patterns of suspicious behavior before incidents occur, allowing staff to proactively engage or monitor without escalating situations unnecessarily. This preventative approach is gaining traction as stores look for non-invasive ways to address organized retail crime and employee safety concerns.

As the technology improves and regulatory frameworks evolve, facial recognition could shift from a surveillance tool to a strategic differentiator—used not only to prevent loss, but to redefine how brick-and-mortar stores interact with their customers.


More Retailers Using RFID to Fight Theft & Shrink
Kroger quietly take big step to fight retail theft, shoplifting

Walmart and Target have quietly been doing something similar without mentioning fighting against shrink.

RFID uses small tags on items to allow for real-time inventory tracking. That can be invaluable for real-time inventory management. If a customer wants to know if an item is in stock, RFID makes that much easier for the chain. It also, in theory, allows the retailer to know when an item has walked out the door without being paid for essentially immediately.

Kroger, and any chain the offers self-checkout, is vulnerable to theft. In some cases that theft is accidental as an item may not scan properly. In many cases, though, thieves use that possibility to not scan items and steal based on the uncertainty of what actually happened.

Walmart and Target, for example, have both been using RFID in their stores but say very little about it. Walmart has a specific policy against talking about its efforts to curb theft.

Kroger is not saying that it's using RFID to prevent theft, although chains generally do not share what their theft prevention methods are. Instead, it has been testing the technology for another reason. The chain partnered with Avery Dennison to use its RFID technology.

Kroger has maintained that the partnership, as least at its start, is about having products on shelves when customers want them. While people seem to only hint around its potential use in theft prevention, RFID use has been growing in retail. thestreet.com


ICYMI: As Retail Crime Surges, NRF PROTECT Becomes More Vital
NRF PROTECT: Retail’s Frontline Defense Against Crime & Violence

By the D&D Daily staff

As retail crime and violence escalate, NRF PROTECT (June 23–25, 2025, in Grapevine, TX) stands as the industry’s most vital annual gathering. Organized by the National Retail Federation, it brings together asset-protection leaders, law enforcement, cybersecurity experts, and retail executives to share tools, strategies, and tech that protect both people and profits.

Integrating Physical and Cyber Security

Today’s threats span in-store theft, online fraud, and data breaches. NRF PROTECT uniquely merges these conversations, focusing on how security teams can move from reactive to proactive through integrated strategies that blend physical surveillance with digital defense.

Tackling Organized Retail Crime Head-On

With organized retail crime on the rise—and more violent than ever—this year’s sessions drill into ORC networks, investigative tactics, and legal strategies. From mass shoplifting to coordinated smash-and-grabs, retailers need scalable solutions, and NRF PROTECT brings them to the table.

Showcasing Cutting-Edge Solutions

The Expo floor, with over 200 vendors, highlights AI video tools, RFID tagging, panic buttons, body cams, and more. These innovations are designed not just to prevent theft, but to do so without sacrificing the customer experience.

Cross-Sector Collaboration | Driving Legislative Change | Why It Matters Now:

Read the full article here


City of Boulder ramping up security on Pearl Street Mall after attack

Downtown Scottsdale crime down during 1st quarter of 2025
 

Come see us at Booth #405 during NRF PROTECT 2025!

Don't miss retail's premiere loss prevention, digital fraud,
cybersecurity and enterprise risk event.

NRF PROTECT is where industry leaders come together to acquire a unified and holistic approach to collectively address retail loss.

With a focus on solving complex security challenges like organized retail crime, data breaches, crisis management and ecommerce fraud, NRF PROTECT is where you will find the experts and insights to help mitigate risks, safeguard your assets and reduce potential loss.

Join Agilence at NRF PROTECT, where we'll be sharing insights on how to get a grip on all your data to minimize total retail loss. Don't miss this opportunity to learn from the best in the business.

Learn more at the NRF event website.

ICYMI: Retailers Should Be On High Alert
Researchers warn threat actors in UK retail attacks are targeting US sector

Google Threat Intelligence researchers say the hackers behind intrusions at multiple British retailers are launching similar social engineering attacks against American companies.

A cybercrime gang believed to be responsible for three attacks in the U.K. in recent weeks has turned its attention toward the U.S. and has been able to compromise multiple targets in the sector, according to researchers from Google Threat Intelligence Group and Google subsidiary Mandiant.

Researchers said the same threat actors linked to attacks against U.K. companies are now using well-crafted social engineering techniques against U.S. retail companies.

The threat group, tracked as UNC3944 or Scattered Spider, is widely considered the prime suspect in the attacks on British firms Harrods, Co-op and M&S, but Mandiant and Google have not formally attributed the intrusions to any specific actor. Researchers said, however, that the hackers behind the U.S. attacks share the same techniques and procedures as the intruders in the British incidents.

“The actor, which has reportedly targeted retail in the U.K. following a long hiatus, has a history of focusing their efforts on a single sector at a time, and we anticipate they will continue to target the sector in the near term. US retailers should take note,” said John Hultquist, chief analyst of Google’s Threat Intelligence Group, in a statement.

Hultquist on Wednesday essentially warned retailers in a post on X to prepare themselves for attacks by the threat group. cybersecuritydive.com

 
Tech, AI & Data Transforming the C-Suite
How C-suite roles are shaping the future of tech leadership
As companies accelerate towards technology-driven business models, the tech C-suite is embracing new skills, greater influence, and a unified approach to business transformation, according to Deloitte.

With insights from a range of C-level tech leaders, including more than 600 US CIOs, CTOs, CDAOs and CISOs, the Deloitte survey found that evolving roles and responsibilities, the rise of AI, and an imperative for cross-functional collaboration are providing a new platform to expand their influence and impact.

“Technology, AI, and data are creating new possibilities for the modern enterprise, but it’s still essential for business goals to guide strategic decisions around adoption of these capabilities. Today, technology leaders have an opportunity to drive long-term impact and competitive advantage through the thoughtful deployment of technology, AI, and data. This comes to life through close collaboration across the C-suite to create a shared vision of technology as a driver of growth and value,” said Lou DiLorenzo Jr. Technology, AI and Data Strategy Practice leader, Deloitte.

The tech C-suite is evolving

Few other functions within the enterprise hold as many C-suite roles as technology, with half of respondents reporting four or more C-level tech roles in their organization. Given this proliferation in roles, organizations should be intentional about how they structure their teams as they seek to harness this group’s collective knowledge and to capitalize on the potential of tech-led business models to drive resilience and growth. It could be a pivotal moment for organizations to reassess, redesign and reevaluate their tech C-suite teams for future success. helpnetsecurity.com
 

Massive Password Leak
16 Billion Apple, Facebook, Google And Other Passwords Leaked — Act Now
If you thought that my May 23 report, confirming the leak of login data totaling an astonishing 184 million compromised credentials, was frightening, I hope you are sitting down now. Researchers have just confirmed what is also certainly the largest data breach ever, with an almost incredulous 16 billion login credentials, including passwords, exposed. As part of an ongoing investigation that started at the beginning of the year, the researchers have postulated that the massive password leak is the work of multiple infostealers. Here’s what you need to know and do.

Password compromise is no joke; it leads to account compromise and that leads to, well, the compromise of most everything you hold dear in this technological-centric world we live in. It’s why Google is telling billions of users to replace their passwords with much secure passkeys. It’s why the FBI is warning people not to click on links in SMS messages. It’s why stolen passwords are up for sale, in their millions, on the dark web to anyone with the very little amount of cash required to purchase them. And it’s why this latest revelation is, frankly, so darn concerning for everyone. forbes.com


Why AI code assistants need a security reality check

Thieves don’t need your car keys, just a wireless signal

Fremont, CA: Robbery group targets Fremont jewelry store, 4 arrested
Robbery group targets Fremont jewelry store, 4 arrested. A Fremont jewelry store fell victim to a smash-and-grab robbery on Wednesday. Kumar Jewelers has operated the storefront for more than three decades, and the owners are now left picking up the pieces of the family-owned business. "Of course, you can say blood, sweat, and tears, many years of work, and then within less than a minute,15 people come in and just break everything," said Sheena Verma. According to Fremont police, the group of suspects robbed the store by using a car to ram into the storefront. Once inside, the group proceeded to smash display cases, stealing tens of thousands of dollars worth of merchandise.Verma said her mother, father and another worker were the only ones inside the store at the time of the incident. No injuries were reported. Verma's husband was on the phone with her mother as the robbery unfolded. It's then that she called the authorities.  nbcbayarea.com


Berkeley County, WV: Retail theft ring members apprehended
Berkeley County Sheriff's Department deputies were dispatched to a shoplifting call at approximately 7:09 p.m. on Wednesday at Target in Martinsburg. When the call was sent out, Berkeley County Dispatch advised that the store’s Loss Prevention was on the line reporting that a blue Nissan Rogue with Florida registration was leaving the store with a large amount of stolen merchandise. In addition, it was reported to dispatch that two Hispanic males and two Hispanic females were involved. As units canvassed the area, they were able to locate the driver of the vehicle, identified as Aleges Merabal, as well as one female, identified as Hillary Rodriguez. Both suspects were from Florida and were placed under arrest, the release reported. The vehicle used was later identified as a rental vehicle. When searching the vehicle, deputies observed the trunk was full of Target merchandise. Officers recovered a large amount of cosmetic and beauty products, clothing and general merchandise. The items were transported back to Target and turned over to the store’s Loss Prevention team. Police confirmed that it was later discovered that the suspects were part of a retail theft ring that included the theft of retail merchandise at numerous other locations in Virginia and North Carolina. All of the thefts were believed to have occurred within the last 48 hours. The value of the recovered stolen property totaled $26,472.17, the press release stated.  journal-news.net


Lewes, DE: Lewes Police searching for $50,000 jewelry theft suspects
Lewes Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying suspects involved in a recent theft. We’re told that on Sunday, the individuals went into a local jewelry store and stole approximately $50,000 worth of merchandise, mainly bracelets.  wmdt.com


Ft Myers, FL: Suspects wanted, accused of stealing more than $800 of merchandise from Target in Fort Myers

Irvine, CA: Irvine Police investigate clever $1500 theft at Ulta Beauty Store