Cybersecurity Best Practices: Key Takeaways from AltPayNet’s Security Awareness Training

Learn how to prevent phishing attacks, implement strong password policies, secure mobile devices, and protect your business from cyber threats. Stay ahead with expert insights on incident response, social engineering, and AI-driven security risks.

By: Kristel Serran

Security

Hackers aren’t simply waiting outside of your network until someone opens up; they're constantly looking for ways to breach your cybersecurity systems.

With online attacks becoming more sophisticated and frequent, even a single careless click on a phishing link can lead to devastating financial and reputational damage.

This is why AltPayNet recently held its annual three-day Security Awareness Training (SAT) at the end of February.

Led by our CTO Maj Labindao, and our Senior IT & Security Manager Sherlyn Cruz, our team was kept up to date with the latest threats and defenses in cybersecurity.

In this SAT review, we break down the most critical cybersecurity insights from the training and share practical strategies for business leaders, SMEs, and government agencies to strengthen their security posture.

Whether you're handling high-value transactions or sensitive customer data, these actionable tips can help you stay one step ahead of cybercriminals.

Understanding the cybersecurity landscape

The training started with an overview of the current cyber threat landscape, emphasizing the sophistication and frequency of attacks.

Phishing remains a prevalent threat, with cybercriminals employing deceptive emails, messages, or websites to trick individuals into divulging sensitive information or installing malicious software.

Recent reports highlight that phishing attacks have become more convincing, leveraging advanced techniques to bypass traditional security measures.

Importance of Security Awareness Training (SAT)

Human error is often cited as a leading cause of security breaches. This is why educating employees about potential threats and safe practices is crucial.

A huge part of the AltPayNet Security Awareness Training included:​

• Recognizing Phishing Attempts: Training employees to identify suspicious emails and avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading unsolicited attachments. ​
• Safe Internet Practices: Encouraging caution when browsing and downloading from the internet to prevent malware infections.​
• Password Management: Promoting strong passwords by advising against the use of commonly-known individual information such as birthdays, pet’s names, etc.
• PCI DSS Standard Operating Procedures: as AltPayNet is PCI DSS Level 2 certified, these practices include using company-assigned laptops, locking screens when away from the keyboard, and Zero Trust when it comes to sharing files, among others.

The SAT underscored the importance of equipping employees with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat cyber threats.

Practical tips to fortify defenses against potential cyberattacks.

1. Recognizing Phishing Attempts
   Phishing remains one of the most effective methods for cybercriminals. The training emphasized the importance of scrutinizing unsolicited emails, especially those urging immediate action or containing unexpected attachments.

With advancements in AI, phishing emails have become more personalized and harder to detect.

This makes it all the more important to remind people around us to never click random links just because they make it sound enticing or urgent.

2. Implementing Strong Password Practices
   If you keep using your weak or reused passwords, chances are, it’s already compromised.

AltPayNet employees were advised to create complex, unique passwords for different accounts and to change them regularly. Utilizing password managers can assist in securely storing and generating strong passwords.

3. Enabling Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
   MFA adds an extra layer of security by requiring multiple forms of verifying your identity. This can be through email, text message, cloud, and also voice call authentication.

 

How to identify and avoid phishing attacks

One of the most eye-opening parts of the SAT was the live phishing simulation done to the team months ago, where employees were tested on their ability to detect fake emails.

 

The results reinforced the need for ongoing vigilance, as even well-trained professionals can occasionally be tricked.

 

Key phishing red flags discussed:

• Emails with urgent language pressuring immediate action (e.g., “Your account will be suspended unless you click this link”)
• Unexpected password reset or account verification requests
• Mismatched URLs and email sender addresses (hover over links before clicking)
• Unusual attachment types, such as .exe, .zip, or .scr files

 

Actionable Tip for Businesses: Regularly conduct phishing simulations and reward employees who successfully identify threats. The goal is to build a cybersecurity-first culture where skepticism toward unexpected messages is encouraged.

 

Securing access to payment systems and financial data

For fintech companies like AltPayNet, protecting financial transactions is non-negotiable. Cybercriminals frequently target payment platforms through methods like:

 

• Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) Attacks: Hackers intercept transactions by exploiting unsecured networks.
• Credential Stuffing: Automated bots try previously leaked login details on multiple sites to gain unauthorized access.
• Social Engineering: Scammers impersonate executives or IT personnel to trick employees into revealing sensitive data.

 

Best Practices for Securing Payment Transactions:

• Encrypt all financial data to prevent interception during transmission
• Implement role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict access to only essential personnel
• Use AI-driven fraud detection tools that flag suspicious activities in real time

 

Actionable Tip for Businesses: Audit user permissions regularly and implement transaction monitoring systems that detect anomalies in payment activity, such as unusual transaction amounts, IP addresses, or login locations.

 

Safe remote work practices

With remote and hybrid work becoming the norm, ensuring cybersecurity beyond office networks is essential. Employees working from home or traveling are at higher risk of cyber threats due to unsecured networks.

 

Guidelines for Secure Remote Access:

• Use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) when accessing company resources remotely
• Avoid public Wi-Fi for business transactions unless using a secure mobile hotspot
• Enable endpoint protection tools on all devices handling company-sensitive information

 

Actionable Tip for Businesses: Provide employees with company-managed devices preloaded with security software and enforce strict access policies for remote work.

 

Incident Response: What to Do If a Cyberattack Happens?

Even with the best defenses, no system is 100% secure. That’s why having a robust incident response plan (IRP) is crucial. The SAT emphasized the importance of:

 

• Early Detection: Train employees to report suspicious activities immediately
• Containment: Isolate affected systems to prevent the spread of malware
• Eradication: Identify the root cause and remove threats completely
• Recovery: Restore data from secure backups and reinforce security measures

 

Actionable Tip for Businesses: Conduct regular cybersecurity drills simulating real-world attack scenarios, ensuring teams know their roles and can respond swiftly.

 

Cyber threats will continue to evolve, and businesses must stay proactive rather than reactive. The key takeaway from AltPayNet’s Security Awareness Training is that cybersecurity is not just an IT responsibility it’s a company-wide commitment.

 

By implementing these best practices, fintech companies, SMEs, and government agencies can fortify their defenses, build customer trust, and ensure business continuity in an increasingly digital world.

 

Want to strengthen your online payments? Let's find the right compliance certificates and secure payment technologies for you at info@altpaynet.com