In 2022 Security Failures Cost Companies Worldwide $1 Trillion

According to a recent study by Allied Universal, security incidents cost businesses $1 trillion globally along with double-digit declines in stock prices and corporate value. 

The biggest threat to security during the coming year is anticipated to be economic unrest. The study defines economic unrest as a security-impacting societal disturbance, such as political instability, war, climate change, pandemics, recession, inflation, or interest rate increases. The World Security Report, based on the opinions of 1,775 chief security officers in 30 nations, also comes to the conclusion that businesses should prepare for an increase in economic unrest.

The main internal threat anticipated by organizations is information leakage. Fraud, or deception intended to produce gain, is projected to be the biggest external threat during the next year. Threats presented by hackers, spies, and economic criminals are also anticipated to increase.

Security Threat and Incident Findings

  • Up from 39% the year before, 47% of respondents saw economic instability as the biggest threat to security in the coming 12 months.
  • Events related to climate change are becoming more frequent and are the second most worrisome threat, according to 38% of respondents. Following these were social disturbance (35%), interruptions in energy supplies (33%), and war or political instability (32%).
  • According to 36% of respondents, the biggest internal threat over the next 12 months will be the leak of sensitive information.
  • The most frequent internal issue was the misuse of corporate assets or data, which 35% of businesses had already dealt with in the year prior.
  • According to 25% of CSOs, fraud would be the top external concern in the upcoming year.
  • The most frequent external security incidents during the past 12 months (23%) involved fraud, phishing, and social engineering.
  • Hackers, economic criminals, and spies pose a big threat, and 50% of respondents, said they were likely to be affected by these groups, up from 39% in the previous year.
  • Nine out of ten CSOs are currently more worried about cyber security than physical security.

What this means for you

In the previous 12 months, one in four businesses experienced a decline in company value as a result of an external or internal security event. The report polled 200 international institutional investors in addition to CSOs to better understand how security incidents affect the value of publicly traded companies. In the aftermath of a big internal or external security event in the previous 12 months, investors projected an average 29% decline in stock price.

Steve Jones, chairman and CEO of Allied Universal, says the survey demonstrates the multifaceted nature of the effects that security risks have on businesses, ranging from lost productivity and clientele to potentially crippling financial consequences.

Do not let your organization fall victim to cyber security threats. The easiest way to help secure valuable information is by controlling who has access to it. Tx Systems specializes in identity authentication and access control. Allow our team to help you safeguard against impending security threats. Contact sales today to request a quote or browse our expansive line of security solutions. 

HID Helps Columbia County Sheriff Increase Defenses

Evolving Security Standards

In order to adhere to the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) security standard, law enforcement professionals must now use advanced authentication when accessing criminal records. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office in Florida is just one example of the thousands of sheriff’s offices across the country that must fulfill these standards and implement new authentication protocols to comply. 


For years, the Sheriff’s Office had relied on officers using a username and password to access online information. A cop would have signed into their laptop, for instance, by typing their login and password on the screen when they got into their car. The need for an additional layer of protection to safeguard digital information, including details about criminals, suspects, and other police officers, has increased as a result of a number of recent digital security breaches showing that the login and password combination is weak.


The risk of bad actors breaking into computers can become life-threatening if a burglar takes a laptop from a Sheriff’s Office car and is able to access all its information. Securing the computers of sheriff’s offices with more reliable identity management software is becoming increasingly important.

The Solution

The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office went to HID for a “smart” solution to their problems: complying with the FBI mandate, boosting security, and enhancing the officers’ user experience. HID’s solution was to use smart cards to replace usernames and passwords. Officers can now complete the two-factor authentication required by the FBI by using a smart card (the HID Crescendo card) and a PIN number. This is the same solution that US federal agencies use to safeguard their workers and contractors, but it has been packaged and configured to be simple to implement on smaller scales while still maintaining a high level of security. 

The sheriff’s office employs the HID ActivID® Credential Management System (CMS), which enables IT staff to manage the smart cards and digital certificates, to keep control of the digital access rights of the more than 180 users on the network. Another advantage is that the sheriff’s office is now using the personalized HID smart cards as the official ID cards for its employees.

To learn more about HID’s work with The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, and the benefits of using smart cards for MFA, click here.

Have a similar project? Tx Systems can help your organization implement HID solutions to protect sensitive information. To request a quote, contact sales today. To browse our expansive product selection visit our shop at https://shop.txsystems.com/ 

Four Access Acronyms You Should Know

Cybercriminals are always hiding in plain sight. They view stealing a password as equivalent to stealing candy from a child. Only 67% of businesses have password policies and shockingly just 34% of businesses enforce their policies.


Switching to a password-free environment may seem difficult and hard, but tested systems are cost-effective and frequently just require an expansion of your present digital investments. This makes it simple to alter access across your organizational landscape as needed. Learning and implementing these four acronyms will equip you with the tools and tech you need to keep sensitive information secure.

The coordination of all four assures maximum security and user convenience:

SSO Single sign-on is a straightforward, effective access technique. It enables users to log in only once, at the beginning of a work session, using a master credential that is stored in a smart card, smartphone, token, tag, or wearable. Then, as they move throughout the day, this access follows them and authenticates itself in the background. Employee productivity is high. Data is protected. 

MFA Multi-factor authentication is a common practice nowadays: In order to gain access to a website, system, or database, more than one login element must be present. For instance, a user may be required to provide two or more pieces of “evidence” to support their identity, such as their username and a one-time code sent through text message or email, or their fingerprint or face recognition. When implemented properly, MFA strikes a balance between security, usability, and encryption, providing a quick and easy sign-on process for all users.


FIDO Fast Identity Online is the global standard for password-free sign-ins adopted by some of the greatest online corporations in the world, including Amazon, Apple, Google, Mastercard, and VISA. Online users can verify their identity without using passwords thanks to this system, which functions like a lock and key. FIDO is a crucial component of the layered security strategy. Tx Systems has years of experience helping customers secure their data and identity through FIDO. 

RFID One of our favorite abbreviations is RFID, which powers many of Tx Systems’ innovative access and authentication technologies. RFID, or radio frequency identification, offers secure end-to-end encryption and is now in use everywhere we look. We use it to pay at registers and to enter buildings (for instance, when we hold our phones over an RFID reader or tap a card against one). Parking garages, EV charging stations, smart lockers, elevators, secure print, vending machines, and more already use it, and new use cases are constantly being added as people figure out how to connect us more securely to the digital objects around us.

Our team at Tx Systems has expert knowledge of all four of these access acronyms. We care deeply about helping others prevent attacks that could wildly damage organizations and inhibit their ability to function. It is important that businesses of all sizes are secure. At the very least, we recommend implementing MFA to ensure that access is only granted to those it should be. MFA can be achieved through FIDO, SSO, or a plethora of our RFID-enabled solutions.

For more information on SSO and Tx Systems


For more information on MFA  and Tx Systems 


For more on FIDO and Tx Systems

For more on RFID and Tx Systems

Working with Tx Systems to implement MFA for your SMB

MFA: Securing What Matters to You 

MFA can and should be used to access sensitive resources, requiring security against human error and cyberattacks. With the help of our team at Tx Systems, MFA is being used by a variety of small and medium-sized organizations. Our solutions include using smart cards, security keys, OTP tokens, or mobile authenticators, allowing you to securely access databases, accounting and HR software, cloud apps, and on-premise applications. Employees can quickly and securely log in to shared computers and devices using multi-user devices in retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and more. 

What to expect when working with Tx Systems to implement MFA for your SMB

Ease of use Your MFA solution will be simple to adopt while providing a variety of authentication alternatives, such as passwordless and phishing-resistant options based on FIDO or PKI. In the end, this safety precaution is there for your assurance and user convenience—not to complicate things.


Multiple Methods and Form Factors Don’t limit yourself to just a few types of authentication (such as push notifications and OTP) or form factors (like cards or mobile devices). Choose a service that offers a range of both and the flexibility to utilize various choices for various users and security requirements.

Easy Deployment and Management Your security can’t wait months for certain solutions to be implemented. Other options call for substantial training, the installation of new servers, or modifications to the code of current programs. Tx Systems can provide a solution that can be operational in days rather than months.

A Complete Solution Our team at Tx Systems will make sure your updated security system protects all of your devices, including PCs, smartphones, integrated applications, and networks.


Compliance We know that compliance is essential, especially in industries that are regulated. We will guide you toward a solution in adherence to industry mandates and regulations, especially data protection laws like GDPR and CCPA, which are always evolving.


Adaptability Your security needs are likely to change over time, and some users or parts of your business may require higher security than others. Collaborating with Tx Systems allows your SMB to adjust accordingly.

Act Now

Recent studies have shown that 43% of all cyber-attacks are aimed at small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). Now more than ever these businesses are suffering the financial, reputational, and operational repercussions of cyber attacks. The best way to protect your SMB is through MFA. Once the appropriate MFA solution is chosen and implemented, Tx Systems can allow your organization to go passwordless, improve remote work safety, and become impervious to attacks.

For more information on MFA for SMBs, click here. Or, reach out to sales to request a quote.

Multi-Factor Authentication for Small to Medium Sized Businesses

MFA for SMB’s: What You Need to Know

The Steep Price of Poor Security

Every day, cyberattacks become more sophisticated as shrewd cybercriminals exploit inadequate, out-of-date security protocols and standards to gain access to sensitive data and accounts at an alarming pace. Increased security measures are not simply advised; they are essential, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) of which 43% of all cyber attacks are aimed at. Now more than ever SMB’s are suffering the financial, reputational, and operational repercussions of cyber attacks.

Our solutions work by combining something you know (a password), with something you have (a smart card or token), or something you are (a biometric). This process significantly reduces the risk of data breaches and can prevent 99.9% of account compromise attacks, according to research by Microsoft.

MFA as an SMB Solution: The Benefits

MFA can serve as the cornerstone of a robust cybersecurity program for businesses of all sizes, particularly for small and medium businesses with unique challenges and conditions. Implementing MFA allows organizations to increase security and convenience in a variety of ways, such as the following:


Go Passwordless 

Between both private and professional lives, the average person must remember over 100 passwords. Many people use the same password across various accounts, from their personal bank accounts to their work network log-ins, in an effort to simplify their lives. Sadly, this also makes it simpler for anyone who intends to steal sensitive information. Additionally, forgetting passwords necessitates their reset, which demands time and resources. With MFA, you can do away with the need for passwords, keep your data secure, and improve user experience.


Improve Remote Work Safety

The modern workforce works from anywhere, at any time. Employees now access networks and apps more frequently than ever before using personal and work devices, sometimes through less secure internet connections. Even the most knowledgeable cybersecurity team cannot always control where users log in, so the next best thing is to implement security measures that make it safer regardless of where employees are.


Thwart Bad Actors

Multi-factor authentication makes it more difficult for potential cybercriminals to steal company data by gaining access to critical software and hardware, including network devices. MFA seals weak entry points in unsecured systems and can prevent 99.9% of account compromise attacks, according to research by Microsoft.

MFA: Securing What Matters to You 

MFA can and should be used in order to access sensitive resources, requiring security against human error and cyberattacks. With the help of our team at Tx Systems, MFA is being used by small and medium-sized organizations to safeguard data via:


Applications and databases 

Using smart cards, security keys, OTP tokens, or mobile authenticators, you can securely access databases, accounting and HR software, cloud apps, and on-premise applications.


Employee Computers and Devices 

Protect devices at home and in remote offices by adding a security key or smart card as an extra layer of authentication in addition to the usual password.


Multi-User Devices 

Employees can quickly and securely log in to shared computers and devices in settings including retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and more using multi-user devices. 


Networks and Servers 

Even while utilizing a public network, employees may easily access the resources they need thanks to secure VPNs and servers.

MFA at Tx Systems 

SMB’s are able to experience peace of mind when implementing Tx Systems’ MFA solutions. Our user-friendly approach ensures that your organization’s employees can securely access company resources without compromising levels of security or convenience. From mobile apps to biometric readers, we offer a diverse range of authentication methods tailored to your specific needs. Safeguard your data and secure your organization with Tx Systems.

For more information on MFA, SMB’s, and what Tx Systems can do for you, head to our page here.

To request more information or get a quote for pricing, reach out through our contact form.

HID Origo Mobile Identities solution has achieved SOC 2 Type 2 certification

HID Origo Mobile Identities, a cloud-based platform, enables technology partners to create integrated access control solutions. The platform enhances the delivery of access control solutions by providing a scalable, secure infrastructure along with seamless and reliable service. This solution was recently spotlighted by its achievement of gaining SOC Type 2 certification. 

The SOC 2 Type 2 certification is a component of HID’s effort to provide cutting-edge and effective digital procedures that assist clients in deploying dependable, cloud-connected access control ecosystems. With the use of this technology, businesses may increase worker productivity, boost security, and quickly grow their access control infrastructure. 

According to the strict requirements of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Trust Services Criteria, the certification shows that HID Origo Mobile Identities has undergone a thorough audit process by a third party to prove that effective safeguards are in place to protect the security and accessibility of customer data.

“We are pleased to receive the SOC 2 Type 2 certification, which complements our commitment and dedication to protecting customer data and providing security. We will continue to invest in the HID Origo Mobile Identities platform to develop new capabilities that further enable robust security measures and ensure a seamless user experience,” said Hilding Arrehed, VP Product Management and Cloud Services, HID.

The SOC 2 Type 2 certification, greatly affirms HID’s commitment to safeguarding consumer data and delivering security. For more information on the numerous certifications HID solutions have earned, visit here.

Digital Identities and Mobile Credentials

Chances are high that you’ve used your smartphone so unlock secure access with your unique mobile ID. Mobile IDs are digital IDs stored on and authenticated via mobile devices such as smartphones or wearables. The growing popularity of digital wallets has allowed users to incorporate a number of digital keys on their personal mobile devices. Keys include COVID-19 vaccination cards, employee badges, hotel room keys, student IDs, and even driver’s licenses in eight US states. These, among other digital documents, can be accessed directly from each mobile devices digital wallet app.

HID Global conducts comprehensive research on market trends, encapsulated in State of the Security Industry Reports. This year’s report heavily examines the steadily rising trend of users “going mobile”. The increased adoption rate of mobile and contactless solutions goes hand in hand with the rise in technologies such as Near Field Communication (NFC), and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), among similar technologies. NFC and BLE allow mobile readers and devices to communicate and authenticate identification credentials. This process provides access to verified users and keeps out inevitable security threats.

During the 2022 State of Physical Access Control Report, HID found that 66% of users have already upgraded to mobile readers and 41% stated that mobile access is a top feature when considering restructuring current access control systems.

It is clear that smartphones are becoming the credential of choice: allowing users to forgo company or school ID badges, credit cards, public transit passes, and even driver’s licenses. As popularity and usage continue to grow, companies will face pressure to provide solutions allowing users to complete transactions or verify their identity/credentials via their mobile devices. Is your business ready and able to keep up with this rising trend?

New Generation of WAVE ID Readers Released

The new generation is focused on upgrading security, mobility, and versatility in implementing security strategies. Previous readers have always been built and designed to last; however, it is technologies’ inherent nature to advance and innovate. Devices get more compact, secure, and connected with every design iteration. This new generation of WAVE ID readers is no different- accompanied by 6 reasons to upgrade your device and 5 great devices to choose from.

6 Upgrade Worthy WAVE ID Features:

  1. Enhanced Security Smart cards (SEOS, iClass, etc.) and mobile credentials (NFC, Digital Wallet, etc.) offer much greater security than standard proximity access cards. Implementing the latest advancements in access security creates a more secure and versatile approach for the authentication of users both inside and outside of your organization.
  2. Expired Warranty and Outdated Firmware Latest firmware updates are only supported on rf IDEAS newest generation of products. Readers and devices over a year old lose their warranty status.
  3. Simplification to Increase Compatibility This new generation of readers is compatible with remote management and configuration. These simplifications and enhancements aid in improving workflows, lowering costs and IT issues.
  4. Present and Future Availability As time goes on, older readers will continue to get less available. The new WAVE ID readers are immediately available in all quantities.
  5. Small but Mighty Advancements in design allow WAVE ID components to keep shrinking in size but growing in power. The new Mini form factor is 37% lighter and 35% smaller saving space in your workstation.
  6. Mobile Migration The new generation of readers will support your migration to Bluetooth low energy (BLE), Near-Field Communication (NFC), and digital wallet (Apple, Google, Samsung) mobile credentials.

Meet the Next Generation of WAVE ID:

WAVE ID Plus Mini works with virtually every card technology and authentication software, and is now 35% smaller and 37% lighter.

WAVE ID Plus Mini Mobile offers Bluetooth low energy (BLE) and NFC allowing the user to authenticate contactlessly with smartphones. This reader can authenticate mobile and digital wallet credentials as well as proximity cards.

WAVE ID Bio is not only a proximity card reader, but also a mobile and biometric reader as well. This reader is especially vital in healthcare, finance, and government industries requiring the highest standard of multifactor authentication.

WAVE ID Nano USB-A and USB-C are the world’s smallest and most ultradurable card readers. Simply plug in the reader to a laptop, monitor, or tablet and authorized users can gain access anywhere they go.

HID DigitalPersona 4.0.0 – New Release Notification

Announcing HID DigitalPersona 4.0.0

HID Global is pleased to announce the release of HID DigitalPersona® v4.0, which includes security, flexibility, usability, and deployment enhancements. As with every release, HID DigitalPersona continues to build on its reputation as a leading advanced multi-factor authentication solution that supports the widest array of authentication factors in the industry.

What’s New in the DigitalPersona v4.0 release

  • Support installation on Windows 11 22H2 OS – Allows installation of DigitalPersona Workstation, DigitalPersona Kiosk, and DigitalPersona Administration Tools packages on the latest Windows 11 OS.
  • New DigitalPersona Reports – New release of DigitalPersona Reports, including better events coverage across the entire product and out of box templates for reporting using a new visualization tool – Microsoft Power BI.
  • SAML2P support – Added support for SAML2P in DigitalPersona Identity Provider, to expand integration protocols beyond WS-Fed and OpenID Connect.
  • Additional biometric device – Suprema BioMini Slim 2 and 3 fingerprint readers are now supported with DigitalPersona.
  • OTP Recovery – Added assisted OTP recovery feature when a device is malfunctioning or lost.

Improvements and changes

  • Verify Your Identity in Kiosk – Added support of identification for PKI smart cards in Verify Your Identity UI for Kiosk users.
  • DigitalPersona Identity Provider improvements – Implemented UI improvements in the DigitalPersona Identity Provider logon page.
  • Simplified communication between DigitalPersona process and browser extension – Implemented changes to avoid an issue related to port blockage by some third-party products.
  • Behavioral Keystroke Authentication is no longer supported – Removed support of behavioral biometrics for the password field at Windows logon.

Good To Know

HID Global recommends that customers using older versions of DigitalPersona upgrade to the latest 4.0.0 version of the software.

Please inquire with your regional sales team for additional information.

Thank you for your continued business and interest in HID Global products, solutions and services.

To Download (Software and Documentation)

Connect to: https://iamsportal.hidglobal.com/customer/downloads or

 https://partnerportal.hidglobal.com — Your credentials will be needed.

The product software and documentation are available in the “Products” section of the portal.

Direct links to DP v4.0.0 files on iamsportal.hidglobal.com portal:

Verifying Integrity

If you need to check the hash (rpm, zip,…), you have to do as follows:

  • Download the file.
  • Use free software (e.g. HashCalc) to compute the SHA256 hash value of this downloaded file.
  • Compare this value to the SHA256 hash value mentioned on the portal.

If you need to check the digital signature (msi, msp,…), you have to do as follows:

  • Extract the content of the downloaded file onto your hard disk.
  • Verify the integrity of the extracted .msi/.msp file by right-clicking it and selecting “Properties”.
  • Goto the “Digital Signatures” tab.
  • Select “HID Global Corporation” in the “Signature list” area.
  • Click “Details” and look for “This digital signature is OK.”

Important Note about Upgrades

We strongly encourage that all necessary precautions are taken prior to any installation of a product upgrade, like applying it first on a testing environment and performing a complete backup of the system and/or database instances when applicable.

Best Regards,

Product Management and Global Support Team
Identity and Access Management Solutions
HID Global

The Ultimate Way to Enhancing the Security of Your Business

Are you looking for a solution to your password problem for users?

Resetting passwords can be aggravating, let MFA credentials such as smart cards take care of it
Photo by SHVETS production on Pexels.com

You are more than likely inundated with requests for changing passwords or resetting lost passwords.

That is why you need to learn more about implementing a smart card solution that will replace the finicky password.

Who is Tx Systems?

Tx Systems knows a thing or two about credential management and identity solutions as we have been in the business since 1997 and have worked with some of the largest players (Fortune 500) in multiple verticals. We are the ideal reseller of major smart cards types conforming to ISO 7816 (Smart Card Industry Standard) and smart card readers, from trusted and respected manufacturers such as HID which we are an official Platinum Partner. Learn more about us on our website for your cybersecurity hardware and software.

Tx Systems is your trusted source for cybersecurity software and hardware with many partnerships with leading manufacturers!

We genuinely care about your data security and urge you to consider how important it is to protect it from bad actors. There are hardware and software solutions out there that can add that much needed layer of security to your workstations.

Why are smart cards more important than ever before?

SEABORGIUM and APT42 are boosting up their targets using spear-phishing attacks towards various industries such as the public sector, education and the media to gather intelligence data to use against your organization.

Their method of intrusion begins with a personalized message from an impersonated individual to users whom they have done their research on. This back-and-forth messaging can continue for weeks with the malicious link, or bogus login page, being sent out to extract that user’s credentials.

By implementing smart cards for your users, you can be certain they are who they say they are with their identity being tied to their smart card rather than a password that can be easily compromised.

With an MFA software solution such as HID’s DigitalPersona, they can also login to online web applications with this credential, thereby, creating another layer of defense for your company’s assets.

What are smart cards?

Smart cards are a much more secure way of identifying yourself into your workstation and do not require you to remember a convoluted string of characters.

They are similar to the proximity card that you might use at your office but offer additional protection thanks to the chip that is located on the card.

Learn more about their features below from Verasec.

There are many companies that you can choose to buy from with some of the biggest manufacturers being ACS, HID and Identiv which we are all certified partners with. This means that you will be purchasing a legitimate reader. Remember, do not scrimp on security for a lower cost because you might up pay more later down the line.

When you purchase readers for your users, do not forget about the MFA software solution to go with it. We recommend HID DigitalPersona for its comprehensive support of credentialing methods along with its cloud-based, easy to use interface.

HID DIGITAL PERSONA

Where can I learn more about smart card readers?

Download the PDF document below to find smart card readers for you current workstation setup.

five_smart_card_reader_guideDownload

Author: Carl Hughes, Sales/Marketing Specialist

A technical hobbyist interested in learning the nitty-gritty of computers