Servus Credit Union – May 2020

SERVUS CREDIT UNION

DIGITAL REPORT 2020

Servus Credit Union: the changing landscape of cybersecurity IN ASSOCIATION WITH

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Servus Credit Union: the changing landscape of cybersecurity

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SERVUS CREDIT UNION

Jakub Mamos, Vice President of IS Risk Management at Servus Credit Union, discusses the evolution of cybersecurity and the adoption of innovative technology

J

akub Mamos has always been intrigued by both the security and technology spaces, especially where the two connect.

“I was always fascinated by computers, encryption 04

algorithms and cryptography in general, as well as the overall concept of security. I started my career working for a utility company in data security, working on systems that were still connected to mainframes. I have been very fortunate to work with very smart people within the industry, who helped me to combine technology and security in a meaningful and productive way. Over the years I have progressed from security analyst to security architect, through to private consulting, working for construction and financial companies,� says Mamos. Today, Mamos is the Vice President of IS Risk Management at Servus Credit Union, which he has been working for since 2011 with responsibilities including operating information risk management, cybersecurity, change management and disaster recovery.

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SERVUS CREDIT UNION

Servus Credit Union: The Servus Origin Story CLICK TO WATCH

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Servus Credit Union is a member-

good credit score, or to help financial

owned and community-based financial

businesses maintain security,” he adds.

institution which dates back to 1938.

Since joining the company nine years

“Servus Credit Union’s primary concern

ago, Mamos has seen the institution

is making sure its members are taken

go through several mergers, consoli-

care of and receive excellent financial

dating its operations in order to be as

products and services, as well as

effective and efficient as possible

committing to sustainability and giving

while maintaining its core mission

back to the community,” says Mamos.

and service to its members. “Over the

“Our vision is to ‘shape member finan-

years we have grown – when I started

cial fitness’, which can be applied in

we had just under $10bn of financial

multiple ways, be it to help people stay

assets, now we have over $16.3bn with

financially fit in terms of planning for

400,000 members, which we plan to

the future, saving and maintaining a

double in the next few years. We have

also evolved new initiatives in regards to innovative technology to provide the most value for our members.”

Within the industry, Mamos has seen cybersecurity evolve many times over the years. “When I started in the industry, the primary focuses were internal matters such as file security, email security and spam. Compare that to today, where we have advanced levels of criminal activity such as phishing, fraudulent transactions and taking over accounts. Therefore it is important for organisations to remember that, while

“ Our purpose is to ‘shape member financial fitness’, which can be applied in multiple ways” — Jakub Mamos, Vice President IS Risk Management, Servus Credit Union

E XE CU T I VE PRO FI LE

Jakub Mamos Jakub Mamos is the Vice-President IS Risk Management with Servus Credit Union, and a passionate security practitioner.

Jakub has worked in both the physical and information realms of the security industry for over 25 years. His leadership roles in the security space include stints in various industries, including utilities, consulting, non-forprofit, government and financial services. Jakub received his BA in Sociology and Political Science in 1998 and Master of Information Systems Security Management from Concordia University as a member of the first graduating class in 2007, and has held his CISSP designation since 2003.

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YOUR APPS ARE EVERYWHERE. YOUR APP SECURITY SHOULD BE, TOO.

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“ When I started we had just under$10bn of financial assets, now we have over $16.3bn with 400,000 members, which we plan to double in the next few years” — Jakub Mamos, Vice President IS Risk Management, Servus Credit Union

money around, and while this is a positive for customers, it is important to be responsive in an innovative way to combat criminals and ensure that interconnectivity remains a positive.” To enhance cybersecurity within its own operations, Mamos explains the importance of of data for the company.. “If you don’t know, then you can’t respond.

At Servus Credit Union we are heavily investing in data gathering, monitoring, analysis and automation. We are using a combination of machine learning, artificial intelligence, data analytics, advanced analytics and predictive analytics to detect anomalies and stay

everybody wants to deliver innova-

ahead of potential threats.”

tions and provide their customers and

However, Mamos highlights that

members the best experience as fast

within the world of technology, people

as possible, companies need to ensure

tend to focus on the ‘coolest’ or ‘lat-

that securing those innovations isn’t

est’ technology, sometimes forgetting

overlooked,” says Mamos.

about the principles. “It’s not that we

Other challenges within cybersecu-

don’t use innovative technology, but

rity that Mamos has faced include the

perhaps it is better to call it innovative

lack of borders with digital clients:

approaches. Being able to be respon-

“If you wanted to rob a bank you would

sive is something that in this space is

have to physically be there in order to

unfortunately not a common occur-

execute a robbery. With the intercon-

rence. It is important to go back to

nectivity of different countries and

basics to ensure that the simple things

jurisdictions it’s much easier to move

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SERVUS CREDIT UNION

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“ If you don’t know, then you can’t respond. At Servus Credit Union we are heavily investing in data gathering, monitoring, analysis and automation” — Jakub Mamos, Vice President IS Risk Management, Servus Credit Union

for digital transformation.” In addition to this approach, Mamos states that Servus Credit Union is working to truly integrate security within every aspect of the organisation, as well as authenticating all internal communications.

“It’s more than just an add on - security provides value in ways that people may not have originally thought. Security technology monitors for potential anomalies in vast amounts of data, and sometimes anomalies are not always security related. Sometime the analysis w w w.se r vus. ca / life

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of data can lead to business opportunities, adding more than just assurance and security to a business.”

When it comes to security management, Mamos highlights the importance of managing the ‘human element’ of cybersecurity. “In our environment, security is people, process and technology, and they all have to work in unison. No matter how good your process and your technology is, you need to invest in people in order to see the biggest value. Which is why we invest in education, working with people and explaining the purpose of a new

process or technology to increase the

Big Data, data analytics, machine

effectiveness of our security.”

learning and artificial intelligence are

Key trends Mamos is seeing within

really important. Data governance is

data analytics, Big Data and data gov-

the same in terms of maintaining data,

ernance are the increases in pragmatic

managing it and providing direction in

approaches. “In today’s economic

order to enable business disruption,

climate you have to be able to show the

while ensuring you are compliant with

value. We have been entrusted with all

rules and regulations.”

that data to make security decisions

When reflecting on the organisa-

and offer protection, so we need to

tion’s operations, Mamos highlights

look beyond assurance, protection and

that he is “very fortunate to have a

security, to look at how we can utilise

core group of partners that I can rely

it even further. Which I think is where

on no matter what. Our partners are an important part of our operations to drive innovation and success.” When forming these partnerships Mamos explains that, although it’s a simplistic approach, he looks for companies that “treat people how they want to be treated. “I am very transparent and direct with our partners while maintaining ethics,” he says. Accordingly, Mamos believes that Servus Credit Union’s biggest strengths are “being a diverse, member owned organisation.”

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