Hardlines Strategies

DEPARTMENT UPDATE

How Blish-Mize Helps Retailers Fight Cyber Crime Protecting Retailers

A s cyber threats continue to evolve, independent retailers face growing pressure to protect their businesses from phishing scams, ransomware attacks and other forms of digital fraud. David Griffin, Blish-Mize vice president of information technology, says cybersecurity has become essential for stores that rely heavily on digital systems and point-of-sale technology.

“Cybersecurity is important for everyone,” Griffin says. “If somebody hacks you, it could take down your POS system, store computers or anything else you rely on to operate. It shuts down your business completely.” Griffin says phishing and ransomware remain two of the most common threats impacting businesses today. Spam emails and fraudulent links are also used to trick employees into giving hackers access to systems or sensitive information. Griffin recommends checking with their POS providers to understand what cybersecurity protections are available. Many cyber insurance providers

require businesses to implement security measures and verification processes before coverage is approved. Employee training is another key defense against cyberfraud. Griffin says Blish-Mize regularly shares training videos covering phishing emails, suspicious URLs and other warning signs employees should watch for. The training can walk you through real-life examples. “If somebody you know sends you an email, you might look at their email address because sometimes they’ll clone email addresses to make it look like somebody else and it’s actually not them,” Griffin says.

2 Fall 2026 • Hardlines Strategies

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7/23/26 10:23 AM