Practical Cybersecurity Tips for Everyday Banking Customers: A Q&A with Wayne Hart
- 22nd State Bank
- Nov 4
- 3 min read
Executive Vice President / Chief Information Officer
October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, a reminder to protect our personal data and stay vigilant against evolving threats. We sat down with Wayne Hart, Executive Vice President / Chief Information Officer at 22nd State Bank, to hear some practical cybersecurity tips for everyday banking customers.
Q: Why is cybersecurity particularly important for banking customers right now?
Cybersecurity is something we should be talking about every day, not just in October. Your personal and financial data is powerful, and “bad actors” (hackers, scammers, etc.) want it.
While National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a great reminder, it’s the daily habits—like reviewing your accounts and protecting your credentials—that make the biggest difference.
Plus, with more people shopping and banking on mobile devices, the risks are constantly evolving.
Q: What are the biggest cybersecurity risks that everyday banking customers should be aware of?
The primary threat is phishing—unsolicited emails designed to trick you into sharing sensitive information. These messages often look like they’re from a trusted source and create a false sense of urgency to get you to act quickly. Once you click a link or open an attachment, it could compromise your credentials or even introduce malware.
Similar phishing scams are “vishing”, which involves fraudulent phone calls impersonating banks or government agencies, and “smishing”, which involves fraudulent text messages with malicious links, offers too good to be true, or urgent requests. These methods are similar: the goal is to deceive you into revealing information. Awareness is the first line of defense.
Q: How can someone spot a phishing attempt before it’s too late?
Check the sender carefully—look for misspellings or slight changes in the email address. Pay attention to urgent or threatening language; that’s a red flag.
If the message isn’t expected, don’t click on links or open attachments. When in doubt, delete it.
When it comes to phone calls, they’re quite good at appearing to be legitimate, so it may take a moment before you realize it's a scam. Once you do, the best thing to do is end the call. Don’t forget—22nd State Bank will never ask you for sensitive information over the phone or by email.
Q: What practical steps can customers take to protect their banking information?
There are several everyday practices that go a long way:
Review your transactions daily. Check your online banking or mobile app to ensure every transaction is legitimate. Take time to view your checks to ensure the payee is correct.
Create strong, unique passwords. Use a mix of uppercase and lowercase numbers, and special characters, and consider a password manager to keep them secure.
Enable multi-factor authentication. This adds an extra layer of protection beyond your password.
Keep your devices updated. Perform system updates, security patches, and antivirus updates on a regular basis.
The key is consistency—protecting your accounts isn’t a one-time task; it’s a habit.
Q: Many people worry about banking online. How can they feel secure?
Digital banking is built with security in mind. Banks partner with trusted technology vendors and implement multi-factor authentication, encryption, and constant monitoring behind the scenes. Customers should also do their part—using strong passwords, keeping devices updated, and reviewing transactions regularly. Think of it as a partnership: We’re working to protect your money while you stay vigilant about your personal information.
Q: Are there any new cyber threats that customers should watch for?
Scams continue to evolve, but the principles remain the same. Whether phishing via email, text, or phone, the goal is to deceive you into giving up sensitive information.
Ransomware is another growing threat, where malicious software locks your data and demands payment.
Artificial intelligence (AI) will pose new threats that are more creative and convincing than we see today, such as audio and video manipulation.
Q: What’s the one simple action a customer can take today to improve their cybersecurity?
Slow down and take your time when reviewing emails, texts, and transactions. Pause before clicking links, opening attachments, or sharing information. Combine that with keeping your software and devices updated, and you’ve significantly reduced your risk.
Vigilance doesn’t need to be complicated—just consistent.
Q: Any final advice for customers navigating the digital banking world?
Cyber threats evolve constantly, so the best approach is a mix of awareness, healthy habits, and using the security tools available. Stay alert, ask questions when something feels off, and treat your financial data with the same care you would any valuable asset. Small actions every day can prevent big problems tomorrow.
National Cybersecurity Awareness Month is a good reminder, but cybersecurity is a year-round commitment. By staying vigilant, practicing safe habits, and leveraging tools like multi-factor authentication and password managers, customers can confidently navigate the digital banking landscape.
