Consumers trust banks implicitly with their finances, but this is not easy during a time when cybercrime is such a prevalent issue. Cybercriminals heavily target banks and other institutions for obvious reasons, which means that banks must have the strongest cybersecurity measures to protect their customers’ finances. So, what are some main ways banks protect their customers’ finances against the latest and most advanced cyber threats? There are a handful of ways protection is achieved that offer comprehensive protection and peace of mind for financial institutions and their customers. Keep reading to find out more. 

Secure Login Processes

First, you have secure login processes. It is easy to get frustrated when logging into online banking when you have to jump through multiple hoops, but secure login processes is critical for online protection. A password alone will not offer strong protection, so it is vital that multiple levels are used for strong account protection. There will also be lockout policies if the wrong information is entered a certain amount of times.

Biometrics

Biometrics are a common form of verification. This can include fingerprint verification, facial recognition, voice recognition, iris recognition, and a few other types. Biometrics is a strong security measure as it requires physical presence and a biological aspect to the process (but it is not infallible). It is smart to combine biometrics with a passcode/password and other forms of verification. 

Encryption

Online banking has changed the way in which people handle their finances and can provide a high level of convenience. It can also create vulnerabilities, particularly when it comes to communication between the device and the bank’s servers. Vulnerabilities involve the transmission of personal information and transaction details. Strong encryption protocols like SSL keep the data confidential and shield it from external threats. 

Check Verification Systems

Check usage is in decline, but there are still many people that fall victim to scams each year. Cybercriminals can exploit the traditional check verification process in a few ways, including foreign signatures, creating fraudulent checks, and exploiting the availability of next-day funds. Banks are using solutions like Check Fraud Defender in order to combat cybercriminals, which uses AI to detect counterfeit patterns and fraud.

Transaction Monitoring

Have you ever had your bank contact you about a certain transaction? One of the most effusive ways that banks protect customer finances is through transaction monitoring. It involves the use of automated systems that will trigger an alert, either resulting in the bank calling for verification or temporarily freezing the account. This occurs when spending deviates from your usual habits, which could involve a spending spree or a transaction taking place in a different area (you should always tell your bank if you are traveling).

These are a few of the main ways that banks protect your money. Banks and financial institutions are targeted heavily, so they must have the best and latest protection in place.