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Kings boosts its cybersecurity defense

AI-driven platform roots out malware from server to POS

Russell Redman

June 14, 2019

2 Min Read
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Kings Food Markets has taken a multilayered approach to bolster its systems and data defense against point-of-sale attacks.

The Parsippany, N.J.-based grocer has adopted the Deep Instinct cybersecurity platform, which uses “deep learning,” a form of artificial intelligence (AI), to detect and prevent known and unknown malware in real time. The companies said the solution provides a safeguard across the retailer’s technology infrastructure, from its servers to its cash registers.

“We know that the security threat landscape is constantly evolving, and we wanted a reliable solution to ensure customer data was protected every step of the way in the purchase process,” according to Bruno Mariano, director of technical support and services at Kings.

Deep Instinct noted that retailers remain a top target for cyberattacks, as evidenced by news headlines of systems and data breaches — often at the POS — resulting in millions of dollars in damages. The New York-based security specialist said it worked with Kings to fine-tune its embedded solution to augment protection of shoppers’ credit-card information and transactions.

Test results showed that servers running in a preventive state blocked malicious, Java-based executable malware on all of Kings POS systems, Deep Instinct said. If the malware hadn’t been detected, Kings would have seen a spike in CPU usage that could have crashed its POS systems chainwide, the security tech firm added.

Related:Kings Food Markets adds two to executive team

“Deep Instinct checked all the right boxes and proved itself as the only technology capable of adapting to our unique environment, without disrupting our everyday business operations,” Mariano reported. “The technology has surpassed our expectations, ensuring our customers remain safe and helped mitigate risks for attacks we might not even be aware of.”

With its predictive capabilities, a deep learning-based cybersecurity model can attain a higher detection rate and a lower false-positive rate for new, previously unseen malware files, according to Deep Instinct. The company said its technology is location-agnostic and furnishes protection for Kings’ servers and POS systems embedded with the Windows operating system.

“Unknown malware can be often lie dormant on seemingly benign endpoints like registers, just waiting for its next victim. But unlike traditional security solutions, Deep Instinct’s technology can not only locate it and stop it, [but also] it can prevent the malware from ever inflicting any damage,” explained Guy Caspi, CEO of Deep Instinct. “Our innovative approach to cybersecurity is highly relevant to Kings and the retail industry overall to best protect the customer.”

Related:Kings Food Markets names new COO

Kings operates 25 supermarkets in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Its parent company, AG Supermarket Holdings LLC, also operates specialty gourmet grocer Balducci’s, which has eight stores in Connecticut, Maryland, New York and Virginia.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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