Tom Meehan, CFI
Tom Meehan, CFI, is retail technology editor for LP Magazine as well as chief strategy officer and chief information security officer for CONTROLTEK. Previously, Meehan was director of technology and investigations with Bloomingdale’s, where he was responsible for physical security, internal investigations, systems and data analytics. He currently serves as the chair of the Loss Prevention Research Council's (LPRC) innovations working group. Meehan recently published is first book titled Evolution of Retail Asset Protection: Protecting Your Profit in a Digital Age. He can be reached at TomM@LPportal.com.
What Retailers Need to Know about New York’s Bail Elimination Act
A New York law eliminating cash bail and pretrial detention for most nonviolent crimes went into place at the beginning of the new year. The legislation was designed to address the disproportionate effect on people who cannot afford to pay bail and must remain in jail until their trial date. However, the unintended consequences for retailers is the risk of most shoplifting and ORC offenders remaining free to commit more crimes.
7 Cybersecurity Predictions for Retail in 2020 and Beyond
The rapid change in retail is making it increasingly difficult for us to mitigate risk of cyberattacks. We must remain vigilant and take a balanced approach that focuses on prevention and how we respond to a cyber event. Here are some trends to consider.
Your #1 Tool for Deterring Thieves: Why Physical Security Hygiene Matters
Though retail loss prevention has changed a lot in recent years, it is important to remember the basics of physical security, and that starts with maintaining good physical security hygiene. If you work with your LP professionals to create a smart physical security strategy, you can stretch your LP budget even further than you might originally think.
Standardization to Bring Greater Transparency and Efficiency in Cash Logistics and Visibility
Cash logistics and visibility is critical to business. Packages sent to your home are tracked efficiently, so you know exactly where and how they move. Shouldn’t it be possible to track your money the same as your packages? Significant changes to cash handling are in the works.
Retailers, Solution Providers, Law Enforcement, and Students Collaborate on Retail Crime at LPRC Conference
Over 430 people made their way to the University of Florida’s Gainesville campus for the Loss Prevention Research Council’s 2019 Impact conference. The three-day event focused heavily on learning and collaboration, as well as research on evidence-based tactics and strategies to reduce retail crime and loss.
FaceApp Isn’t the Privacy Threat We Should Worry About
Recently in the news you probably saw, read, or heard something about FaceApp—a mobile application that takes a picture and uses artificial intelligence to...
Using Artificial Intelligence to Catch Shoplifters in the Act
Artificial intelligence is a trending topic in both the tech and security industries, but how exactly can it help us in the retail loss...
Unraveling the Mystery of the Dark Web
The dark web has a mysterious and dangerous reputation and a very colorful history. However, it is actually a simple concept to understand and use in your work. Like any investigations, you need the right tools, a clear idea of what you are looking for, and a healthy level of caution to protect yourself and your organization. With a solid understanding of the dark web in mind, you can use this new tool to your advantage and discover potential threats before they come actual attacks against your company.
Internet Hoaxes and What They Teach Us about Using Social Media to Monitor Potential...
When the threat is not immediate, we can take our time to verify the information. For the dozens of news sources that covered the Momo challenge, if only one of them had taken a few minutes to fact check the threat, the hoax would not have become as widespread.
Cyber Security Starts with Physical Security
When you think of cyber security, what comes to mind? For most it's software, hackers, and computers in general. According to the FBI, "A...