Over the last few years, there has been an increased threat of cyberattacks in the United States. Critically, no issue that is currently facing America has grown as fast in recent times. However, because of the increasing concerns around online threats, Mastercard has sought to tackle the issue head-on by announcing plans for a new cybersecurity center.
Online consumerism continues to grow, so there’s the potential for people to truly benefit from a measure such as this. Over half of Americans shop online at least once a month, with other industries – such as online casinos, which have continued on an exponential path since their beginnings over 20 years ago – follow suit. Because of this, we’re going to look at what Mastercard’s facility will seek to achieve and how it will benefit consumers. Additionally, we’ll also consider some basic steps as to how online shoppers can stay safe and protect their details.
The New, Cutting-Edge Mastercard Facility
It has recently been announced that Mastercard, a multinational financial services corporation, are set to develop their own cybersecurity center in Waterloo, Belgium, which is due to open in 2021. The purpose of the facility is to enable heightened collaboration with law enforcement bodies and policy-makers in seeking to improve intelligence sharing, along with facing up to dealing with the ever-important issue of tackling cyber threats within the financial ecosystem. Through launching an establishment that works alongside the relevant legal authorities, Mastercard will be able to adhere to best-practice solutions because of the assurance of legal compliance.
Fundamentally, while this may not have a substantial impact on the day-to-day lives of Mastercard customers, it demonstrates that securing data privacy is paramount to the corporation. Through the development of the center, the lines of communication between Mastercard and their consumers, along with internal teams, will be shortened, reducing the response time to any potential threats. The financial organization has long played an active role in developing cybersecurity within this industry, and this latest step ensures a consumer-focussed future that places data privacy at the forefront.
How Can People Stay Safe Online When Making Transactions with Their Cards?
While some of the market’s leading players are taking steps to heighten consumer security regarding online purchases, there are still a number of different things that can be done to best maximize the chances of staying safe when making online card transactions.
One of the most important things to look out for when considering whether or not to make an online purchase is whether the website is secure. Typically, this can be done by looking at the top left corner of a screen, as, if the site is protected, there will be a padlock next to the address search bar. This icon means that communications between the browser and the web server are encrypted and, rather crucially, this prevents the ability for anyone to steal or modify personal data, including passwords or payment details. Furthermore, by clicking on the padlock, information (such as who verifies the website) can be ascertained.
Moreover, basic steps, involving reading reviews that include assessments on website privacy and security, can be a solid foundation on which to build on before entering your private details. There are sites that offer in-depth analyses from trusted review experts, who carry out extensive checks into companies offering a specific type of service, such as online casinos. In addition to researching the credibility of the owners, these platforms also check into whether the available operators have been accurately licensed by the relevant regulatory bodies to ensure that any personal information remains safe and secure. With so many providers in so many fields now being online, it’s important that users know who to trust.
Furthermore, in addition to purchasing from encrypted sites, using a trusted connection will also assist in completing secure online card payments. When on the move, the security of a public hotspot can never be guaranteed. Because of this, it’s advisable to make any transactions from a private network or, if needs must, through a reliable VPN.
A Step in the Right Direction
There can be no doubts that, following the rise of digitalization, ensuring consumer security in the online world is now of utmost importance. The developments being made by Mastercard demonstrate how a consumer focus is at the heart of future operations, while such advancements will also enable quicker response times to potential threats. While users can take precautionary steps before giving away any private details in the digital world, tackling the issue of cybersecurity on a global scale will only enhance the safety of any online transactions.