SouthCrest Bank - Business Banking in Tyrone Georgia

Security Statement

Bank of Upson / Meriwether Bank & Trust / SouthCrest Bank contracts with an outside vendor to host information and provide Internet Banking and Cash Management services for its customers. Since the vendor is hosting these services for the bank, there is no direct contact between the customers and the bank’s main computer system. The vendor requires all of its divisions and companies to take proactive steps to ensure that the systems they own or participate in contain adequate security measures to limit the possibility of unintended distribution of confidential information and the potential for fraud-related losses. The Internet Banking Service Bureau runs on a robust Windows NT operating system. State of the art firewall technology is the first line of defense in preventing unauthorized access to any information housed.

Included in this operating system is the capacity to allow only secure connections by end users. Utilizing Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology, all transmissions of web pages and data between the financial institution and its customer are completely encrypted and are unreadable to any person or group trying to “intercept” the transmission. SSL encryption is the industry standard and is commonly used in Internet applications that require security and privacy for sensitive data.

Additionally, the Bank implemented a multifactor authentication system called Passmark Authentication in October 2006. It is now a standard part of our systems and works as part of our commitment to protect customers against identity theft and fraud. Passmark Authentication adds extra layers of online security to prevent unauthorized access to customers’ accounts. This enhanced security feature requires all internet banking and cash management customers to enroll in the system by selecting a secret image and caption and answer several challenge questions that can be used for verification purposes. Once the customer has enrolled in Passmark Authentication, the customer’s Passmark image will be displayed prior to entering the password each time he logs in to internet banking or cash management systems. If the system does not recognize the browser or computer from which the customer is attempting to log in to the system, the customer is prompted to answer one or more challenge questions for additional verification.

Password: Before the customer accesses the Internet Banking or Cash Management systems, they are required to enter their user ID and password and validate their Passmark image. Without proper login, consumers cannot see or use any web pages within the product.

Account Number Masking and Account Aliases: For security reasons, customers’ complete account number(s) never appear on the computer screen. When the account number is displayed it appears as ###123456 instead of 123456789. The bank has the flexibility to determine how many digits are “unmasked” and the masking will always occur from the left. Account “Aliases” are user-defined titles for the customers’ accounts (i.e., “My Checking”) and are used when displaying account information on the screen.

Secure Connection: When customers access the online information, their connection is automatically converted into a secure Internet communications session.

Data Encryption: When customers access their account information or any other sensitive data, an encryption system is automatically activated to protect the transmission of information from unauthorized sources.

Customers are responsible for maintaining their computers and taking measures to protect their personal information. Virus protection software should be installed and updated regularly and firewall and file encryption programs should be considered as part of your overall computer security plan.

Regardless of the efforts, the relative infancy of the Internet as a broad-based communication medium when combined with the “open” nature of the Internet make it impossible to guarantee absolute confidentiality in all circumstances.

If you have questions regarding this statement, please contact us info@southcrestbank.com.

Links to other web sites are provided for our customers' convenience. SouthCrest Bank is not responsible for the information displayed nor the maintenance of these non-bank web sites.

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