Broadcasting
Understanding the Risks of Insecure Payment Processing
By Gideon Ayogu
Businesses across the world are losing customers and huge sums due to a rise in payment fraud in the last few years. A recent report highlights an alarming 88% global increase in payment fraud between December 2021 and March 2023. In an ever-evolving digital world, payment processing is at the heart of every business transaction. However, each transaction carries significant risks that must be effectively managed and mitigated. Consequently, ensuring robust security in payment processing has never been more critical.
With the increasing sophistication of payment fraud, many businesses are becoming targets for hackers and cybercriminals who exploit insecure payment processing systems. These attacks can lead to severe consequences, including financial losses, reputational damage, legal repercussions and a significant loss of customer trust.
This SeerBit blog post highlights the potential risks and consequences of neglecting security in payment systems and emphasises the importance of partnering with a trusted payment solutions provider to effectively mitigate these risks.
Potential Consequences Of Insecure Payment Systems
There are numerous consequences that your business will suffer if you become a victim of fraud due to insecure payment systems. Some of these are discussed below:
- Financial Losses
The lack of strong security measures in your payment systems can leave your business vulnerable to a wide range of fraud, including unauthorised transactions, identity theft, and credit/debit card fraud. These threats often lead to significant financial losses for businesses. A 2023 report by IBM revealed that the average global cost of a data breach has risen to $4.45 million, covering both direct expenses like fines and legal fees, as well as indirect costs such as customer attrition and lost business opportunities.
In 2023, three Nigerian fintech companies lost more than N5 billion to hacking incidents between Q1 and Q3 of the year, while another lost N800 in just one week, according to media reports. These alarming incidents highlight significant vulnerabilities within the security architecture of payment systems.
The rise in security breaches and fraud cases in recent years, along with businesses being compromised through their connections to insecure platforms, underscores the critical importance of secure payment processing. This highlights the need for businesses to partner with a trusted payment solutions provider.
- Reputational Damage
Reputational damage from a data breach or fraud often has a longer-lasting impact than the immediate financial losses. Today’s customers are more aware and concerned about the security of their personal and financial information than ever before.
A single breach can severely undermine customer trust, leading to decreased sales and long-term brand damage. Regaining this trust can be extremely challenging, if not impossible, for many businesses. This loss of customers and revenue underscores why secure payment systems are crucial for business survival and growth.
- Legal Repercussions
Businesses that experience a security breach or fall victim to fraud may face significant legal repercussions, many of which could be avoidable. In cases of payment fraud, affected stakeholders might sue the business, or the business may need to engage in expensive legal proceedings against those responsible.
Additionally, a security breach could indicate non-compliance with industry best practices or current security standards, such as PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards), potentially resulting in substantial fines and other legal consequences.
How To Secure Your Payment Process And Protect Your Business Against Fraud
The operational disruption that a fraudulent activity or a breach of your security system can cause will lead to a loss of productivity and efficiency, alongside other consequences already discussed in this post. Hence, you should place a premium on securing your payment process and protecting your business against fraud. One of the best ways to achieve this is by relying on a secure payment gateway.
A payment gateway is a technology that captures and transfers payment data from the customer to the acquiring bank. It acts as an intermediary between your business website and the financial institution, ensuring the secure transfer of sensitive payment information. Payment gateways authorise payments for e-transactions, enabling businesses to securely accept credit card payments, digital wallets, and other forms of online payment.
Key Security Features of Payment Gateways
Below are some of the key security features a payment gateway must incorporate to ensure secure transactions:
- Encryption and SSL: Encryption converts data into a secure code to prevent unauthorised access. Secure Socket Layer (SSL) certificates ensure that data transferred between the customer and the merchant is encrypted and secure.
- Tokenization: Tokenization replaces sensitive payment information with a unique identifier or token. This token is used during transactions, keeping the actual payment data secure and reducing the risk of data breaches.
- PCI DSS Compliance: The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) sets security standards for organisations handling credit card information. Compliance with PCI DSS ensures that payment gateways adhere to stringent security measures to protect cardholder data.
- Fraud Detection and Prevention Tools: Advanced tools such as CVV verification, address verification, and AI-based fraud detection systems help identify and prevent fraudulent transactions, safeguarding both businesses and customers.
- Trustworthiness: Ensure that the payment gateway has a proven track record and industry certifications to back up its claims of security and reliability.
When selecting a payment gateway for your business, it is crucial to prioritise these key features before trusting them to process your transactions. A secure payment gateway ensures that your payment systems and processing are secure and insulates your business from fraud and hacking attacks.
Payment gateways lacking these essential features should not be considered for your business.
Benefits of Secure Payment Gateways for Businesses
A secure payment gateway such as SeerBit offers numerous benefits for businesses:
- Enhanced Customer Trust and Satisfaction: A secure payment gateway builds customer confidence, encouraging repeat purchases and fostering loyalty.
- Reduced Fraud and Chargebacks: By minimising fraud-related losses and reducing chargebacks, businesses can protect their revenue and maintain financial stability.
- Regulatory Compliance: Secure payment gateways ensure compliance with legal and regulatory standards, helping businesses avoid penalties and legal issues.
- Competitive Advantage: Prioritising security can serve as a unique selling point, setting businesses apart from competitors and attracting security-conscious customers.
Conclusion
In today’s digital economy, the impact of a security breach or payment fraud can be devastating for businesses. As the digital landscape evolves, so do the risks associated with it, making it crucial for businesses to choose secure payment systems proactively. Secure payment gateways are vital for maintaining both the success and credibility of any business in the modern digital age. By prioritising robust security measures, businesses can safeguard themselves and their customers, build trust, and ensure seamless transactions.
At SeerBit, we are committed to providing top-tier security to protect your business and customer data, while also delivering a smooth and efficient payment experience.
Discover how we can enhance your payment processes today!
Broadcasting
Davido Unites Superfans in Lagos for Exclusive 5IVE Album Experience, Powered by Spotify
To celebrate the release of his fifth studio album, 5IVE Davido hosted a select group of superfans and media at Ona Restaurant in Lagos for an exclusive meet-and-greet, presented by Spotify.
The event offered a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the Afrobeats superstar, with 50 lucky fans and 5 media partners given the chance to connect with the artist in an intimate setting.
Rather than handing out invitations, Spotify put fans to the test, requiring them to pass a five-question quiz on Davido’s music to earn a spot at the roundtable. Once inside, attendees were treated to an afternoon of music, conversation, and surprises. The event was hosted by Ireculture, who set the tone with her infectious energy, while SmallztheDJ kept the vibe going with smooth, Afrobeats-driven selections.
In true Davido fashion, a playful twist took centre stage: after teasing his absence, the artist made a dramatic, surprise entrance, sending fans into a frenzy. The moment was a perfect reflection of Davido’s personality – engaging, unpredictable, and larger-than-life.
Victor Okapala, Spotify’s Artist and Label Partnerships lead for West Africa, noted, “This event is a testament to the power of music to bring fans and artists closer together. Working with Davido on the release of 5IVE highlights the energy surrounding Afrobeats globally, and the deep connection we see between the artist and his fans.”
The event’s highlight was a close-knit roundtable conversation, where fans shared their love for 5IVE, with “10 Kilo” emerging as an early favourite. Each guest left with a gift box featuring five fashion items from Nigerian streetwear brand Severe Nature, who also designed the official 5IVE merch.
Reflecting on his journey, Davido shared, “When you see artists like Beyoncé, Drake, Kendrick Lamar, and Rihanna, you realise the work it takes to get there. This time, I wanted to go all out, and I’m seeing the results.”
Spotify data underscores Davido’s growing global influence. In the past 12 months, his music has been added to over 12 million playlists worldwide.
The artist’s reach spans key markets including Nigeria, the U.S., U.K., South Africa, and France, with 34% of his listeners aged 18-24 and 41% aged 25-34.
As 5IVE continues to captivate listeners, this intimate event further solidified Davido’s position as one of Afrobeats’ leading voices, fostering a deeper connection between him and his dedicated fanbase.
By Aaron Bugal, Field CTO APJ, Sophos
Undoubtedly one of the most influential technologies in recent decades, the ascent of artificial intelligence has produced a mixture of reactions from individuals, organisations, and countries. Eyes widen as we explore its potential, concerns grow as it threatens jobs, and conversations take place at a global level on how it should be regulated. However, for cybersecurity professionals artificial intelligence presents a double-edged sword.
Aaron Bugal, Field CTO APJ, Sophos –
Although AI has shown the ability to enhance cybersecurity solutions with its pattern recognition, summarisation, and assistance capabilities, it also opens the door for threat actors to harness the technology in much more sinister ways. So, in a world where we are in a constant race to out-innovate cybercriminals, what impact will AI have, especially as it continues to evolve itself?
New technologies mean new threats
Cybercriminals have proven they shouldn’t be underestimated. They are continually updating their tactics, strategies, and tools to breach businesses, and AI only strengthens their arsenal. AI has commonly been used to help threat actors better imitate real people – altering voices, pictures, and messages to carry out convincing phishing attacks.
Beyond mimicking human behaviour, cybercriminals have begun to experiment with AI at a more technical level. Malicious GPTs have been advertised on cybercriminal marketplaces, with functions such as automated penetration testing or malicious malware development.
However, sharing a similar experience to legal industries and businesses, there is still some hesitance from cybercriminals when it comes to implementing the technology into operations, as threat actors are mainly exploring generative AI in the context of experimentation and proof-of-concepts.
This does not mean organisations should see this as a sign to slow down, as artificial intelligence will inevitably become a regular feature of cyber attacks. Instead, businesses should be evaluating if they are using the technology in a secure and optimal way within their cybersecurity set up.
AI adoption is not about being first, but being smart
Businesses of all sizes are examining how AI can be used, with Sophos finding 98 per cent of organisations are using it within their cybersecurity infrastructure in at least some capacity. Further to this, 65 per cent of organisations use cybersecurity solutions that include generative AI capabilities, and 73 per cent use solutions that include deep learning models.
While AI adoption in cybersecurity can bring many advantages, it also introduces a number of risks if approached incorrectly. Poorly implemented AI models can inadvertently introduce considerable cybersecurity risks of their own – if it isn’t provided with the right inputs, it cannot provide adequate outcomes. Organisations are alert to this risk, with the vast majority (89%) of cybersecurity professionals saying they are concerned about how potential flaws in cybersecurity tools’ generative AI capabilities will harm their organisation, with 43 per cent highlighting they are extremely concerned.
This alertness must also remain for AI that’s implemented in non-cybersecurity related tools, as emerging technologies pose threats in their infancy. Agentic AI for example has become highly topical recently, but will a technology that learns from humans be able to adequately defend itself from cyber threats? At its current level, AI should be approached with the intention that it can serve a single purpose and expecting an individual system or ‘AI agent’ to do everything with minimal human interference is risk inducing.
Therefore, an organisation’s artificial intelligence advances – both within cybersecurity infrastructure and its entire technology stack – must be done with guardrails up and thorough oversight.
Fighting fire with fire without getting burnt
In an ongoing race against cybercriminals, artificial intelligence will only become a multiplier to innovation that takes place on both sides. For businesses, avoiding the risks of AI within cybersecurity systems is possible when implementation is approached with care. This can be achieved through:
· Inquiring about vendor’s AI capabilities: AI requires transparency, and asking cybersecurity vendors about how their data is trained, what AI expertise their professionals have, and their roll out process for deploying AI capabilities will help paint a clearer picture of AI development best practices.
· Providing strict outlines to AI investment: AI investment cannot be rushed, so it is important to assess whether AI provides the best solution for current cybersecurity challenges, prioritise specific AI investments, and measure the impact of AI once it is implemented into cybersecurity infrastructure.
· Remain human first in AI adoption. Organisations should never take a set-and-forget approach to cybersecurity, and this is even more the case when AI is involved. Ultimately, cybersecurity is a human responsibility, and AI should be used as an accelerant to support cybersecurity professionals, not a replacement.
Artificial intelligence will become a mainstay within organisations for many years to come. This is no different for cybersecurity, however with such high stakes it is vital that AI is used correctly, or it will only work against its intended purpose – giving cybercriminals the leg up over organisations in this ongoing battle. It is not about implementing a range of AI capabilities to expand your cybersecurity infrastructure, but the right capabilities that address your cybersecurity needs.
QNET, a global leader in direct selling focused on wellness and lifestyle products, firmly disassociates itself from any unlawful activities being conducted by unauthorized individuals or entities fraudulently using the QNET name to mislead and exploit members of the Nigerian public.
These concerns have resurfaced following the arrests of several suspects in Niger State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
QNET commends the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for its actions in apprehending those responsible and is actively supporting the authorities to prevent further misuse of its brand.
QNET Says NO to Brand Misuse and Criminal Misrepresentation
QNET is a 27-year-old international direct selling company offering wellness and lifestyle products through a network of independent distributors.
These individuals are customers who have purchased QNET products and have chosen to build their own direct selling business using our platform. They operate independently and are not employees of QNET.
Unfortunately, certain third-party entities such as Mighty Infinity Millionaire Ltd, that have no affiliation to QNET, and operate without our oversight or recognition, have grossly misrepresented the QNET business model and acted in a manner that is in no way a representation of QNET business ethics or values.
We unequivocally state that such entities and individuals are not affiliated with or endorsed by QNET. QNET reiterates that Transblue Nigeria Limited remains our sole partner in Nigeria.
Operating Within Legal and Ethical Boundaries
In Nigeria, QNET operates strictly within the legal and regulatory frameworks through our official local partner, Transblue Nigeria Limited. We remain committed to ethical business practices and protecting both our brand and the public from exploitation. We urge members of the public to remain vigilant, verify the authenticity of individuals or entities claiming affiliation with QNET, and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.
Statement from QNET’s Regional Leadership & Legal Nigerian Partner
Responding to the fraudulent activities being perpetrated in QNET’s name, Biram Fall, Regional General Manager of QNET for Sub-Saharan Africa, states, “We are extremely disturbed by the way unscrupulous individuals have misused the QNET brand to deceive innocent Nigerians with false promises. At QNET, our values are rooted in honesty and empowering people to build better lives through genuine means. We remain committed to supporting law enforcement agencies in their efforts to bring these fraudsters to justice and encourage the public to verify any claims of affiliation with QNET before getting involved.”
To avoid further confusion, QNET wishes to emphasize the following:
● QNET does not operate or endorse any physical or online university under the name “Q-University” in Nigeria. QNET is part of a larger business conglomerate that operates the Quest International University in Malaysia, which does not have any overseas campus.
● QNET is not involved with online medical courses or academic institutions in Nigeria.
● QNET does not support or condone recruitment-driven models that promise employment, scholarships, or guaranteed returns unrelated to the legitimate sale or purchase of QNET products.
● QNET strongly condemns the unauthorized use of our intellectual property – including company logos, founder portraits, and promotional materials – by fraudulent actors aiming to mislead the public.
QNET’s Awareness Creation and Consumer Protection Efforts
Since entering the Nigerian market in 2022, QNET with the support of our local partner, Transblue Nigeria Limited, have prioritized financial literacy and consumer protection. In November 2023, we launched the Say NO! Awareness Campaign to educate the public about scams and promote responsible entrepreneurship. The campaign has reached thousands through multilingual billboards, radio messages, educational pamphlets, and online platforms. As part of this campaign, the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment (FMLE) and the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency (LASCOPA) were also engaged.
Cooperation with Law Enforcement
QNET expresses its full support and appreciation for the EFCC’s efforts to protect citizens and crack down on cyber and financial crimes. We are actively cooperating with the Commission in its investigations and are committed to further educating the public on the nature and values of QNET’s legitimate operations.
Public Advisory: How to Stay Safe
To protect yourself from scams falsely linked to QNET:
● Verify all QNET-related information at: www.qnet.net
● Report suspicious activity via email: network.integrity@qnet.net or WhatsApp: +233 256 630 005
● Learn how to identify scams at: www.saynocampaign.org
QNET remains fully committed to ethical business practices and transparency. We stand with Nigerian authorities in protecting citizens from fraud and will continue to cooperate fully to bring those misusing our brand to justice.
AFC Appoints Ireti Samuel-Ogbu as Chair of Board of Directors
FG to Sanction Airports Without Permits from January 2026
CBN Urges Banks to Source FX for PAPSS Settlement Through NFEM
FIRS Orders Banks to Close Unauthorised Tax Collection Accounts
NCAA Tightens Regulations: Unlicensed Airports to Face Penalties in 2026
Telecom1 day agoMeta Challenges Nigerian Tribunal’s $220M Fine over Data Breaches
Broadcasting1 day agoAI and Cybersecurity: Balancing Innovation with Caution
E-Financial1 day agoSupreme Court Sets Aside N22 Trillion Judgement against Union Bank
E-Business1 day agoFG Warns Nigerians Against Growing Threat of Cyber Slavery in West Africa
News1 day agoEFCC Bans Cash above $10,000 from Leaving Nigeria without Declaration
E-Financial1 day agoUBA Envisions Footprint in over 100 Countries
General News1 day agoAfe Babalola University Partners with New Horizons to Integrate 4IR Skills into Academic Curriculum
E-Business1 day agoNCC Vows to Tackle Online Infringement, Block Illegal Music Websites