Retailers Debut Cyber Intelligence Sharing Center

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), along with such well-known retailers as Safeway and Target, have introduced the Retail Cyber Intelligence Sharing Center (R-CISC). The centerpiece of the independent organization is a Retail Information Sharing and Analysis Center (Retail-ISAC).

Through the R-CISC, retailers can share cyberthreat information among themselves and, through analysts, with such public and private stakeholders as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Secret Service and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The organization will additionally provide retailers with advanced training and education and research resources.

"Retailers place extremely high priority on finding solutions to combat cyberattacks and protect customers," noted Sandy Kennedy, president of Arlington, Va.-based RILA. "In the face of persistent cyber criminals with increasingly sophisticated methods of attack, the R-CISC is a comprehensive resource for retailers to receive and share threat information, advance leading practices and develop research relevant to fighting cybercrimes."

The R-CISC was created with input from more than 50 of the United States’ largest retailers, and in collaboration with federal law enforcement, government agencies and subject matter experts, among other key stakeholders.

Department of Homeland Security Focus

"We have seen a sharp increase in the number of malicious actors attempting to access personal information or compromise the systems we all rely on, in the retail industry and elsewhere," said Dr. Phyllis Schneck, deputy undersecretary for cybersecurity and communications at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security National Protection and Programs Directorate (DHS). "We continue to work with the private sector to create shared situational awareness of potential cybersecurity vulnerabilities. The Retail Cyber Intelligence Sharing Center will further enhance DHS' collaboration with this important sector of the American economy with information and resources that can help companies keep their networks and the information stored on them safe and secure."

The R-CISC’s incoming board of directors includes Colin Anderson, VP, information technology at Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway Inc.; Jenny Ley, director, corporate security intelligence at Minneapolis-based Target Corp.; and Jim Cameli, information security officer at Deerfield, Ill.-based Walgreen Co.

The organization is open to retailers and merchants of all segments and sizes, and aims to become a resource for not only the retail industry, but also related merchant industries.