National Cyber Security Month

It’s not uncommon in our highly technological day-to-day activities to hear stories about the risks associated with modern business and personal online interactions. From spam email to swiping our debit cards to fill our gas tanks, the best way to prevent those risks is to be aware and alert to them.

October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, but in any month, the most important key to preventing risks is Awareness. Ethan Kobos, one of our 2020 Dakota West Scholarship recipients, is studying Cyber Security and we asked him about basic precautions he's learned during his studies.

“The easiest way to improve your security is twofold. One, make every password something different from other websites. If one of your passwords is somehow found, then whoever has that information could easily find any account associated with it and take that too.

“Two, make strong passwords. The best passwords are not a long list of numbers that you won't remember unless you write them down, it is a sentence, a movie quote, a saying, anything that you can remember while still being secure.”

Think about the ways you can enhance your prevention skills. Even Ethan, who studies cyber security preparations every day, recognizes the importance of staying aware of new risks.

“The biggest change in my awareness has been the realization that security is not simply software that can invade your computer, but the physical side of security. While finding the password to your wifi may be hard, it would be rather easy to walk up to a router and plug in, no need for a password. It is important to not just focus on one side of security, as they both can lead to an opportunity on the other.”

Dakota West always keeps your security top of mind, but taking an active role in your own security provides an important tool in your overall online safety. Commit time to learn more about how you can be more aware, and even more proactive, in protecting yourself at cisecurity.org or the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency website. Together, we will work with you and for you to keep your finances safe.

What’s Going On In Your Account?

Some of us may have entered adulthood fully engrossed in the digital age, while others may have watched the development of online technology advance from dial-up, to wireless, to mobile technology. Regardless of how we arrived here, we can all benefit from the ability to know at any given moment exactly what is going on in our checking or savings accounts thanks to online account access.

A generation ago, the most you could ever know at any given time was a balance inquiry at your local ATM. Two generations ago, you could only know what checks cleared your account by getting a monthly statement in the mail or visiting a branch to inquire. Now, you can know what’s going on in your account right now – this very minute – or later tonight, or on Sunday morning if you prefer thanks to mobile and online services.

Do you know that 81% of people utilize this technology? But are you taking advantage of all the services available to you? Dakota West offers dozens of how-to guides to help you navigate your online account or make the most of our mobile app, but the true value of being able to access your account anytime you like is to have more control over your own finances.

Our Rewards Checking partner, Kasasa, offers several suggestions on how you can automate your money-movement and investing services to take advantage of the technology designed to serve you. Whether navigating an app is second nature to you, or if you can brag about the digital advancements you have witnessed and conquered, Dakota West’s online account access is designed to connect you with your money so you’ll always know what’s going on in your accounts.

Meet Jayne Pochant

Change remains a constant for Jayne Pochant, our Regional Operations Manager for Turtle Lake and Washburn, who celebrates her anniversary with Dakota West Credit Union this month.

“When I started in 1992, we would hand write receipts. As technology changed, we could print out receipts. Then people started using debit cards, and now there’s online banking.” Change brought Jayne to Dakota West Credit Union when we merged with Riverdale Federal Credit Union in 2005. “It cost money to be able to offer our members the services they wanted. By becoming part of Dakota West, we were able to give technology to our members.”

Twenty-seven years later, Jayne continues to marvel at fulfilling members’ hopes. “Telling someone, ‘You’re going to buy a house, you’re going to be a home owner,’ is so gratifying.” Even helping people work to build their credit, watching them move closer to their dreams of owning a home, makes her responsibilities as a loan officer in our Washburn branch rewarding.

Jayne graduated from Washburn High School, so her community is her home. Working for Dakota West Credit Union, Jayne says, “It’s like family to me. I know my coworkers so well.” Those of us who interact with Jayne every day are fortunate to have her as a member of our work family.

To learn more about loans in one of our branches, call today to speak with a loan officer, or even begin the loan process online. Please follow our newsletter to learn more about the people of Dakota West Credit Union.

Regional Operations Manager and Loan Officer, Washburn Branch