Short Story - Viktoria's secret

Victoria's Secret. Nick Samuel, head of HR atop Foods PLC, looked nervously around the room with the other company directors. The topic of cybersecurity was on the agenda, and he knew because the I T consultant, he tired Victoria all over her, told him that the company's I T security was pathetic. But would the chairman, Jerome Jones, be willing to spend the money necessary to fix it? Top foods is like a glass house with a monkey holding a machine gun inside it. Victoria had warned him a couple of weeks earlier. Any hacker could blow top foods to pieces in a couple of minutes. Victoria's tendency to speak her mind did not make her a lot of friends. Her dark blue eyes had a cool, analytical look that gave people the impression she was scanning them for character defects. What could a hacker due to us? It could asked Victoria Side how to explain cybersecurity to people who couldn't tell the difference between a phishing attack and an SQL injection attack. She wondered. They could remove money from your bank accounts, mess up your logistics, published embarrassing emails from your CEO. Why would anyone to something like that? arsenic for fun. Let's face it, your chairman. What you call him J. J. Right? He's a bit of a joke, isn't he? Cyber punks love taking down egotistical CEOs, but how much would it cost us to secure? Our systems are snick. Ignoring Victoria's view of JJ, you need better firewalls, email encryption software on operating system, upgrade regular network scans, longer passwords on cybersecurity, training for everybody to fix everything and get your properly protected. 2% of last year's turnover is good estimate. After that, about 1% of turnover every year. Not so we could get that much approved, he said. Victoria shrugged her shoulders. Whatever. It's not my company, Nick. I'm just your cyber cleaning lady. She paused to wipe the screen of her computer with disinfectant to rather theatrically. This, in case you didn't know, is not how you deal with computer viruses. All right, said Nick. I understand perhaps we can find a way to convince JJ and the directors, but you will need to help May. After Nick had finished explaining the problems and how much it would cost to fix them, the other board members exchanged doubtful looks. JJ leaned back in his chair and said, Nick, have you lost your mind? Your consultant, Veronica all over the place has just given you a shopping list of services. She wants you to buy Victoria, not Veronica JJ, said Nick, ignoring the laughter from the rest of the board. I thought you might feel that way, so we decided to do a little demonstration. Victoria walked in, sat down next to Nick and connected her laptop toe, a large screen on the wall. Last week, I hired an ethical hacker friend of mine to attack Top Foods in three places, she told them. He's going to show you what he can do to your company. First of all, let's see what's happening to your money. There is nothing wrong with the accounts, said Eileen, the company accountant. Defensively, I'd have noticed, Oh, what's happening here? Said Victoria. The screen showed one of the companies bank accounts. I think a bank transfer is about to start. Can't happen, said Eileen. Only I can authorize. She stopped as the figures on the bank accounts suddenly started to move downwards. Hoops said Victoria looks like £150,000 has just gone for a walk. I wonder where you had better to see if you can find it. Eileen Eileen made a small noise and rushed off. Now continued Victoria, What about this? The screen changed to show a map of the UK with red dots moving across it here. A top foods. Nori's taking shipments all over the country, she said. Now this one, the circle appeared around. One of the dots is taking Christmas puddings to London destination. Harrods in Knightsbridge, Right? Ted? Yes, onto the head of logistics nervously. How How do you know that Victoria ignored him? Oh, dear, she said. It looks like it's changed its mind. The dot started moving in the opposite direction. Interesting. Your driver has just received a new address. He's delivering them to me instead. Yummy. Please beg Ted, please stop it. That's our first major order for herds. Sorry, Ted. It's the hacker, not me. Try giving our driver a call Now, Mr Jones, let's see what a hacker could find on your computer. How is she doing this? JT whispered to Nick. It's not Victoria, JJ, Nick replied. Last week, you clicked on a link that said you'd want a cruise The link took you to a website set up by our hacker that installed a key logger on your computer to track your keystrokes. The hacker now knows all your passwords. Ah, said Victoria. The screen showed JJ's computer desktop with all its folders. Let's see strategy performance reviews. But what's inside this little sub folder with pictures? There was a sudden movement under the table and the screen went blank, right? Said a red faced rage A as he stood up holding a cable in his and you two in my office. Now it's a pity you're leaving us, said Nick to Victoria later, as she was signing a very detailed non disclosure agreement, I was hoping you'd join us full time. Somebody has to implement those changes. JJ has just agreed to. I prefer being freelance, she replied. But I'll tell my hacker friend to contact you about the job things. Anyway, I liked working with you. Me, too, but you know whatever. She shook his hand, then looked him in the face. I have to tell you something, she said. When you first hired May, I wanted to find out what sort of person you were. So I hacked into your laptop, Nick felt his face going red. Don't worry, I can keep your secret, she said. Next face went even redder, but I just wanted to say I think you write very good poetry. You should try and get it published Sunday, then she left.