Data Management

New York -- Chain Store Age will host a webinar sponsored by Voltage Security on the steps retailers can take to secure their store and online networks against costly data breaches. Speakers will also discuss key lessons learned from the recent breaches, and the latest developments in data security and retail fraud protection.
   

New York -- John Mulligan, the interim CEO of Target, said he wants customers to know they can shop with confidence at Target. Mulligan made his remarks during a TV interview with CNN's Poppy Harlow (See video below).

Mulligan, CFO of Target, was named as the interim CEO on Monday. He replaced company veteran Gregg Steinhafel, who departed the chain as it deals with the ongoing aftermath of its data breach.

Armonk, N.Y. -- IBM has introduced comprehensive new security software and services to help organizations protect their critical data in an environment where advanced persistent threats, zero day attacks, breaches, and the financial impact on an organization continue to rise.

According to two IBM-commission studies, the average cost of a data breach increased by 15%, reaching an average of $3.5 million. The majority of companies surveyed say targeted attacks are the greatest threat, costing them on average $9.4 million in brand equity alone.

Greensboro, N.C. -- Apex Analytix, a provider of services and software to safeguard disbursements, identify fraud and improve performance across the procure-to-pay cycle, announced it has been chosen to provide retail audit software to Publix Super Markets.

Publix will use Apex Analytix FirstStrike Retail, an application used to audit large volumes of data in high-transaction retail environments. Experience shows that internal recovery audit teams armed with FirstStrike are able to achieve far more recoveries in much less time, according to Apex.

As part of Rite Aid’s information technology strategy, the company has named Matt Lynch, an information technology executive with nearly 30 years’ experience, as SVP and chief information officer.

New York -- The White House on Thursday called on Congress to pass legislation to create a national standard that would alert consumers when their data has been hacked. It one-of-six policy recommendations that comes after a 90-day review of data and privacy.

"As organizations store more information about individuals, Americans have a right to know if that information has been stolen or otherwise improperly exposed," said the report, led by John Podesta, a top advisor to President Barack Obama.

Dick’s Sporting Goods monitors social commentary to boost customer satisfaction

If you really want to know what people think about you, you need to find out what they say behind your back. Historically this has been a tricky proposition, but the advent of social media provides an open forum where companies as well as individuals can check to see what is being said, and whether the commentary is good or bad.

Leading e-commerce imaging provider Kwikee has launched a new collaboration portal for retailers and suppliers to help improve e-commerce conversion.

Phoenix -- PetSmart has named Michael Goodwin to the position of senior VP and CIO, effective June 2.

Goodwin brings more than 20 years of information technology experience to PetSmart, most recently serving as senior VP and CIO of technology and business enablement at Hallmark, a $4 billion global enterprise with more than 2,600 stores and an extensive online presence.