If you’re like 80% of the population, debit or credit cards are your preferred method of payment when you’re out and about at restaurants, the movies, or sporting events. But did you know that paying with a card in public can put you at a greater risk of being the target of cyber scams like electronic pickpocketing? In this episode, Claudette and her guests explore how bad actors use the electronic pickpocketing technique in public areas like airports, bus terminals and stadiums to steal people’...
Jun 03, 2022•19 min•Season 2Ep. 13
In a zero-day exploit or attack, a hacker will identify a vulnerability within a network and use it to their advantage before developers are even aware of it or have time to fix it—hence the term “zero-day.” With cyber security issues skyrocketing in recent years, 2021 was the worst year for zero-day attacks in history, with almost double the total number of attacks in 2020. In this episode, Claudette and her guests explore the phenomenon of zero-day attacks, how they work, and most importantly,...
May 19, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Cyber security is a field that’s been experiencing rapid growth in the last 20 years. As we all become more virtually connected, online security has become an increasingly crucial priority for organizations of all sizes. In fact, there were a reported 3.5 million unfulfilled roles in cyber security in 2021, up 350% from 2013. With numbers like these, the need for more qualified professionals in this field is stronger than ever. In this episode of C Suite, Claudette discusses career paths in cybe...
May 05, 2022•25 min•Season 2Ep. 11
Cybercriminals tend to target the most vulnerable people, making newcomers to our country and international students all the more susceptible to scams and frauds. In this episode of C Suite, Claudette explores the cyber and real-world threats to Canadian newcomers. Frauds and scams can begin as early as the immigration process, and they continue after newcomers land in Canada to start their new lives. In this episode, listeners will learn about some of the most common scams targeting newcomers t...
Apr 14, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 10
One of the most notable things about the internet is the double edged sword of anonymity. The internet allows many people the opportunity to explore interests or express their creativity anonymously, without having their actions tied to their true identity, yet it can also mean that bad actors can do serious harm to others without being tied to their wrongdoing. “Doxing” occurs when someone is “outed” online by having their true identity, often even including personal information like their phon...
Mar 31, 2022•24 min•Season 2Ep. 9
In the last decade, couples of all ages have found their significant other via dating apps and online websites, with over 15% of U.S. adults saying they’ve tried or continue to use online dating. But in an online world where anonymity can be maintained behind the veil of a screen, love doesn’t always turn out the way some hoped. In this episode of C Suite, we learn how the emotional stakes of online dating can lead to more than heartache. Catfishing, luring someone into a relationship using a fa...
Mar 17, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 8
The pandemic accelerated tech adoption by people over the age of 60 so that they could stay connected to their closest loved ones during lockdowns. However, in 2020, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center reported 28 percent of the total fraud losses were sustained by victims over the age of 60, which equates to roughly $1 billion USD. In this episode, Claudette explores cyber security concerns for those over the age of 60, and what we can all do to keep them protected. She sits down with Lau...
Mar 03, 2022•29 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Social media influencers are naturally at a higher risk of experiencing a cyber attack. In this episode, Claudette explores the specific cyber security concerns influencers face today, and why having a larger platform can increase your chances of a breach. She speaks with Graham, a talent agent, about some of the cyber security concerns his clients have experienced in the past. She also speaks with Wendy Nather, Head of Advisory CISO at Cisco. Both guests share their top tips for keeping safe on...
Feb 17, 2022•20 min•Season 2Ep. 6
If young people were living online before the pandemic, it’s hard to deny their lives are even more firmly intertwined with the web now that COVID-19 has changed the world so fundamentally. For many young people in their tweens, teens and twenties, it’s become more difficult to separate their online lives from the real world now that school, work, friendships and relationships are conducted almost exclusively online through platforms like Zoom, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and soon, the Metaverse...
Dec 09, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Bots are a highly pervasive cybersecurity concern today, and they’re on the rise. In fact, it was recently estimated that over 60% of all web traffic comes from bots, which means most internet users today aren’t even human. In the context of cybersecurity, bots are often used by bad actors to access sensitive information, learn a user’s private credentials, or commit other forms of fraud. In this episode of C Suite, Claudette takes a deep dive into the topic of bots, and how we can all be more s...
Nov 25, 2021•25 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Companies big and small are now in the business of collecting a wide variety of data on everything from your favourite colour to your physical location. Data collection can ultimately serve a number of different purposes, not the least of which is improving your personal customer experience. However, having privileged access to a wealth of salient information comes with major responsibilities—are most companies ready for the challenge? In this episode featuring commentary from Alexandra Ebert, t...
Nov 11, 2021•19 min•Season 2Ep. 3
In theory, being hacked is every internet user’s worst nightmare. Despite this, many average users aren’t aware of the steps they should take to defend themselves and their data against a potential attack. In this episode of C Suite, Claudette speaks with two special guests who will help to shed light on the steps people and companies should take following a hack, and how they can protect themselves from similar cyberattacks in the future. Shauna is a Vancouver-based entrepreneur who experienced...
Oct 28, 2021•23 min•Season 2Ep. 2
In the cybersecurity world, the pandemic brought on a brand new set of challenges that demanded quick thinking, rapid action and a whole lot of innovation. In the first episode of C Suite season two, Claudette and her guests will be discussing how the remote work revolution has changed cybersecurity needs for most companies, and how they can maintain a secure IT ecosystem even as their employees work from multiple locations around the world. This episode’s guests include Amy, a business owner wh...
Oct 14, 2021•20 min•Season 2Ep. 1
Ethical hackers are IT professionals who simulate hacking situations within an organization in order to identify blind spots and potential threats, to ultimately protect against cyber attacks. Many large organizations and financial institutions regularly engage in ethical hacking practices to gain insight into vulnerabilities and avoid potential data breaches. On this episode of C Suite, Zane leads us through a step-by-step simulated hack of one of our show producers, Steph. The demonstration re...
Jul 22, 2021•17 min•Season 1Ep. 13
As IT systems everywhere become increasingly complex, cyber hacks are on the rise. In addition to protecting our networks, it’s important to be just as mindful about all connected devices. In 2019, the number of data breaches on IoT devices tripled, and it’s only increased since the pandemic and the spread of 5G technology. Although IoT has the potential to create lasting changes and impact our lives in many positive ways, devices are generally more vulnerable to cybersecurity breaches than trad...
Jul 08, 2021•19 min•Season 1Ep. 12
On this episode of C Suite, we’re doing things a bit differently. After speaking to several leading experts in cybersecurity, we’ve learned a lot about how we can all stay connected and protected online. That’s why we decided to compile the best cybersecurity tips we’ve received from our brilliant guests into one value-packed episode. No matter your age or your level of digital expertise, everyone can benefit from knowing how to prevent cyber attacks before they happen.
Jun 24, 2021•14 min•Season 1Ep. 11
Skimming is one of the largest hidden cyber threats to businesses and individuals. It can lurk in the background of any digital transaction, stealing money and personal information in the process. According to a recent threat landscape report, credit card skimming accounts for 30% of all data breaches that target retailers. With the COVID-19 pandemic, threat actors have been eager to take advantage of the rise in digital purchases. In March 2020 alone, online credit card skimming jumped by 26%. ...
Jun 10, 2021•18 min•Season 1Ep. 10
The dark web. A mystery to many and invisible to most. For decades, the public has had preconceived notions about the dark web, mostly rooted in crime dramas and sensational news stories. But in reality, the dark web is much more complex than that. On today’s episode, we’re joined by cybersecurity experts Matt Watchinski, VP at Cisco Talos, and Azim Khodjibaev, Senior Intelligence Analyst at Cisco Talos, to explore exactly what the dark web is, how it works, and what individuals and organization...
May 27, 2021•20 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Today, cybercrime is a global challenge. A recent cybersecurity report estimates that by 2025, cybercrime will cost the world $10.5 trillion per year. It’s no surprise then that cybersecurity has become a major point of interest for organizations and individuals alike. Companies are starting to spend more on threat prevention tools and software, while individuals are trying to navigate the potential for cyberattacks in their digital lives. In today’s episode, we sat down with Sanjay Poonen, Chie...
May 13, 2021•24 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Cyberbullying is a worldwide issue. According to a 2019 survey, 37% of teens ages 12 to 17 have been bullied online. Of them, 30% have experienced it more than once. Cyberbullying can be committed by anyone. In many situations, kids are engaging in online bullying without realizing that what they’re doing is harmful. In other situations, cyberbullying is used as a tactic to make someone more susceptible to other cybercrimes. In this episode, we meet a 25-year-old university student who was cyber...
Apr 29, 2021•22 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Phishing or “ishing” is one of the most comprehensive cyberattacks out there. In a recent global security survey, 22% of organizations saw phishing as their greatest security threat and 59% of all phishing attacks were found to be related to finances. On this episode, we meet Rekeft: a Canadian man who lost $10,000 after receiving a phone call from who he thought was a tax agent. We ask industry expert Steven to explain how Rekeft’s ishing attack happened, and how to detect ishing scams early. W...
Apr 15, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Business email compromise is one of the largest cyber threats facing organizations and individuals today. A recent FBI report revealed that business email compromise scams resulted in over $1.8 billion worth of losses to businesses in 2020 alone. On this episode, we meet Des: a management consultant who experienced a business email compromise scam first-hand. He transferred a large sum of money as per his boss’ email request, only to find out the email was not from his boss. How could Des have m...
Apr 01, 2021•25 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Every year, the number of kids online increases. But, as one study found, over 1.5 billion young people are impacted by school closures due to COVID-19. This means there are more kids online today than ever before, and cybercriminals are taking notice. On this episode, we’re asking the two most important questions parents need to know: what are the greatest risks to kids online and how do we mitigate them? To find out, we speak to a focus group of kids ages 11 to 17 to learn what exactly they’re...
Mar 18, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 4
In the past few years, robocalls have reached an all-time high. In 2019 alone, there were almost 60 billion robocalls made in the US. From exclusive vacation deals to claims that you owe the government money, almost everyone has experienced a robocall. But as criminals adopt new techniques, robocalls are becoming more difficult to detect and prevent. On this episode, we meet Sarah and Alison: two young professionals who have been hounded by robocalls for years. Then, we talk to Cheryl, a cyberse...
Mar 04, 2021•21 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Ransomware is one of the world’s most common cybercrimes. In 2021 alone, it’s estimated that ransomware crime will cost $20 billion in global damages. In our second episode, we meet Patti: a 60-something business owner who was targeted by a ransomware attack. She explains how it happened, how she reacted, and how she almost lost a large sum of money in the process. Then, Claudette sits down with ex-intelligence agent, Robert, and CEO of MaRS Discovery District, Yung Wu, to learn how ransomware w...
Feb 18, 2021•19 min•Season 1Ep. 2
On December 8th, 2020, news broke that FireEye, a leading global cybersecurity firm, had been hacked by a foreign entity. Immediately following the release, CEO Kevin Mandia demonstrated a refreshing approach to leading his company through this difficult period - he was forthright and honest about the breach.
Feb 04, 2021•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Welcome to the first season of C Suite, a brand new podcast focusing on elevating cyber literacy for everyday people. Join Claudette McGowan, TD Bank’s Global Executive Officer for Cyber Security, as she explores how cyber-attacks happen and what we can do to avoid them. From phishing schemes to robocalls and even huge corporate hacks, on this show, Claudette meets with C Suite leaders to discuss cyber challenges and ways to help people become more protected and resilient.
Jan 22, 2021•3 min•Season 1Ep. 1
