“Security is everyone’s responsibility. Stop, think, connect!” – Dritan Gucaj, Director of the Security Department, Operational Division
The pandemic turned out to be a surprise for the whole world, and for every industry. How much of a surprise was it to your bank and department?
In the field of security, surprises are always an unwelcome element of the job profile itself, especially when dealing with an invisible “enemy”. Despite the numerous preparations and periodic tests that the Bank conducts for business continuity, some scenarios (especially pandemics) are difficult to prepare and even more so to test, as it does not predict the form in which the pandemic will occur.
Thanks to the work done by all departments of the bank, we managed to equip all employees with protective equipment in record time to cope with this situation. I am taking this opportunity to thank all the physical security colleagues who despite the risks have worked and are working with dedication, correctness and courtesy during this period. I feel proud of the team I lead, also of the important fact that we have not recorded any incidents during this difficult time.
How was work done from home for bank employees, and how was this practice evaluated from the point of view of banking security?
The banking security strategy today has changed compared to that of a decade ago, due to changes in technology, business requirements and customers. Banks have moved from the traditional security model within the perimeter of the bank’s network to the modern “open but secure” model for exchanging information.
In this view we enable an employee to work from home and have the same protection and security as if he were in the Bank’s network. In the field of security there is an expression “Security is like a chain, where security is as strong as the weakest link in the chain”.
Statistics show that 70-90% of cyber attacks have occurred by attacking the user “social engineering” and with relatively simple attack methods, so as a Bank we pay special attention to employee training in this area.
What do you recommend to the clients of OTP Albania Bank, for the time we are spending and for the future, from the point of view of safe banking?
I would like to summarize it in 3 words. Stop, think, connect! Before performing an online activity be accountable in their actions. Be careful with sites or materials they download from the internet. Use complex passwords. Be careful about their digital profile especially on social media. Maintain their privacy. Security is everyone’s responsibility.