Securing the Future:

Cybersecurity and Digital Defense for Real Property Transactions

Approved for 3 CE and CLE hours.

9:00 – 10:00am – Gene McCullough

2024 Update on Common Hacker Techniques, Tools and Strategies for Preventing Wire Fraud Losses                

 Cyber fraud, and especially wire fraud, is a growing problem across the nation. Almost all of these cyber-attacks begin with a hacker gaining unauthorized access into a network or email system by tricking employees into clicking onto a link that introduces malware or discloses log-in information. This course will also provide attendees with examples of the techniques the hackers use and demonstrate how a cyber crook, when left alone while you get them a cup of coffee, can gain access to your network and data.

The course will include videos of hackers and others who explain the methods and strategies hackers utilize. Demonstrations will be provided on how easy it is to obtain deceptively similar domain names or e-mail addresses. Also covered will be tricks they use that makes even changing passwords useless once they have initially gained access. Websites and YouTube channels that publicly promote hacking will be viewed to demonstrate how easy, and inexpensive, it is to learn hacking skills and obtain high-tech hacking tools that are virtually undetectable.

10:00 – 10:15 am – Break

10:15 – 11:15 am – Victor Dennis & Matt Rekers

Fortifying the Fortress: Strengthening Your Cyber Defenses Against Modern Threats in the Title Industry

This session will provide an IT perspective to mitigate the risks of the hacker tools and methods discussed in the previous session.

11:15 – 11:30 am – Break

11:30 – 12:30 pm – Ryan Martinez

Cybersecurity Solutions: Developing and Implementing an Effective Response Plan

This presentation will cover best practices relating to cybersecurity for title companies and real estate law firms handling real property transactions.  We will discuss the challenges in combating cybercriminals and how to avoid being a victim.  The presentation will also outline how to be prepared in case of a cyberattack, solutions should you become a target of a cyberattack, and how to respond, including an overview of ALTA’s recommended response plan.