WELCOME!
My name is George Walker and I am the Chief Technology Officer at Kirtland Federal Credit Union. Electronic banking has become an integral part of most of our lives and many of us transact more business electronically than we do in person at a branch. While branch banking has pretty much remained the same in the last several years, one thing about electronic banking (and technology in general) is that it is ever changing. While change is good in many ways (more features and functionality, better security for example) it does come with a learning curve. Some of us are comfortable with technology changes but some of us need a little more help understanding and getting used to those changes. This Blog is for our members looking for tips and pointers on KFCU electronic banking as well as members who would like some insight into the security we employ to keep our members’ electronic transactions safe and secure.
So let’s get started…..
Online Banking Security Enhancements Part 1
By now (hopefully!) all our members are aware of the security related enhancements coming on October 8th. Probably the most important one is the change from using the member number as the User ID. Its long been the norm for credit union members to use their member number as the user ID to log into online banking. We all know our member number by heart so it’s an easy thing to remember when signing on.
The problem comes if someone (like a cyber- thief!) somehow gets your member number; now they have half of your login credentials to access your accounts and personal financial information. Other financial institutions (like USAA) have switched from using a member number to log into online banking due to the increased risk that member information could be compromised.
We want to be sure that our member’s online experience is as easy and secure as possible. On October 8th when you sign on to online banking, you will be prompted to create a User ID. This user ID has specific requirements that will need to be followed and cannot be all numbers. It will replace your member number as your sign on going forward.
The good news is that most of us already have a User ID that we have created for other online sites (perhaps USAA?) so there is no reason that we can’t all use one that we already know and use for other sites. In the end, although an inconvenience and a change in the routine, creating a user ID that is known only to you is really more secure than using your member number. So think about a user ID that you already use for Amazon or Ebay or USAA and try it out. After you log in a few times you will be just as comfortable using your new User ID as you did using your member number.
Next time I’ll talk about the passwords.
I look forward to your comments, concerns and questions
Your Wingman. GW
