The implications are numerous: increased reliance on managed and cloud services, increased reliance on connectivity, increased reliance on sharing platforms, and generally increased reliance on technology. Consumer adoption of different modes of interaction and different channels suggest the need for modern infrastructures with API connectivity, cloud-based services (for elasticity and omni-channel), big data (for CRM and risk management), trend which is also exacerbated by recent regulations such as PSD 2. As CES 2016 brought us the usual amazing innovations, adding to all the noise about the Internet of Things and wearables and creating new concepts such as “Pay-By Fridge”, security professionals have their work cut out! This is further compounded by the explosion in fintech (from digital challenger banks to bitcoin innovators) and we’ll all suddenly realise that the more and the faster we connect, digitise, innovate and share information, the more risks are introduced as criminals also connect, digitise, innovate and share information…

From exploring security challenges in merchant payments to technology developments in authentication, biometrics and wearables, from understanding fraud risks in multi-channel infrastructures to striking the right balance between consumer experience and security, amongst many other topics, Pay-Sec 2016 will have something for everyone interested in payment security as well as excellent networking opportunities and I look forward to this year’s event.