As 2024 comes to a close and we think of spending some time with family and loved ones, we may at some point during this festive period all look back at the year and recall some highlights and memorable moments. CFCA would like to take this opportunity to do the same and recognize some of the highlights of 2024 and what it has meant for CFCA as an organization and its members. CFCA has had 12 months jam-packed full of events, education, and collaboration initiatives, and below are just ten of these successes and highlights.
1. Collaborations and Partnerships
Industry collaboration has been an underlying theme at CFCA since its inception in 1985 and in 2024 this has not changed and the amazing work of nearly 40 years continues with CFCA’s three educational events being hosted and supported by some of their industry partners. CFCA has extended its strategic partnerships this year with:
NCFTA
CFCA started their recent strategic partnership with NCFTA hosting the Spring Educational event in Pittsburgh alongside NCFTA’s event Disruption 24. NCFTA is a non-profit organization formed over two decades ago to create a model to disrupt the devastating and ever-changing threats from cybercrime, employing 60+ individuals, with 200+ active partners in business and law enforcement.
CFCA also appreciates other new partners for 2024 including
OpSec
OpSec delivers a comprehensive suite of end-to-end solutions, including advanced physical security technologies, supply chain track and trace services, and online/e-commerce monitoring and analysis. OpSec protects the world’s most recognizable brands, with around 5,000 customers worldwide.
One Consortium
One Consortium is a not-for-profit organization specifically designed for the international communications ecosystem to join forces and cooperate with Telecommunications Regulators (NRAs) globally in order to fight illegal/unwanted voice calls and messages originating from abroad. One Consortium represented by Philippe Millet – Founder and Chairman presented at our London and Washington educational events.
SipForum
In June this year CFCA partnered with SipForum and are an Association Sponsor. SIP Forum is an industry association with members from the leading IP communications companies. Its mission: To advance the adoption and interoperability of IP communications products and services based on SIP.
2. Educational Events
CFCA hosted three major educational events in 2024…
Spring Educational in Pittsburgh alongside NCFTA Disruption 24
The event was a complete sell-out with over 100 CFCA members attending the CFCA event. The agenda was full of leading industry experts presenting and sharing knowledge with great cross-industry panel sessions to instigate discussion and interaction.
Summer International Educational in London, UK with Mastercard
Mastercard were the kind hosts of our summer international event in the heart of London at their UK head offices with over 125 attendees from the UK, Europe and of course, the USA attending and contributing to the agenda and sessions. The underlying theme throughout this event was trust. https://cfca.org/trust/
Fall Educational hosted in Washington D.C. at AT&T offices in collaboration with ITG
This event was hosted in Washington D.C. at the AT&T Forum in collaboration with ITG which saw a fully booked capacity event with over 130 attendees. At the event CFCA undertook the Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement Awards.
3. Banking and Finance Members
2024 saw a change in memberships with Banking and Finance members showing significant interest in CFCA for 2024 with seven corporations joining/renewing, with more from the industry looking to come on board in 2025. The CFCA board now has representation with Bank of America’s Guy Pearson joining the board in 2024.
Finance members include
- Bank of America
- Capital One
- First Orion
- Mastercard
- PNC Bank
- US Bank
- TD Bank
4. LinkedIn Social Media
LinkedIn followers have gone from strength to strength, in October CFCA broke the 4,000 followers barrier and before the end of the year has 4,150 followers and is aiming for 5,000 for 2025. CFCA regularly shares updates, articles, notifications, news, and more on the Linkedin platforms. LinkedIn is now integrated into the CFCA website to keep both platforms aligned.
5. Industry Recognition – Hall of Fame Announcements
Industry recognition is important and this year CFCA recognized individuals and a leading corporation that has supported CFCA since its founding nearly 40 years ago. Equinox, the longest-standing and continuous CFCA Sponsor and Supporter was inducted into the CFCA Hall of Fame. Also inducted were Warren Currie, Dave Huras, Peter Coulter, and Chris Walters with Travis Russell recognized and inducted in the CFCA Hall of Fame and receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award. You can read and listen more about the inductees on our website.
6. Sponsors
Sponsors are the backbone of the financial support that allows CFCA to undertake its educational events programme each year. This year, CFCA had a full house again for sponsorship take-up, CFCA sponsorship is limited to 2 gold, 3 silver, and 5 bronze sponsor slots to ensure a balanced approach to all activities. CFCA would like to thank
Gold Sponsors Somos, Inc., Transaction Network Services (TNS), and Mitek Systems
Silver Sponsors TransUnion, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, and RouteTrust
Bronze Sponsors Caller ID Reputation®, Kount, an Equifax Company, Araxxe, Hiya Inc., and Equinox Information Systems
7. New CFCA board members –
CFCA appreciates new blood on the board to provide fresh insights, experiences, knowledge, and opinions and welcomes Ryan Karnas, Somos; Ben Castro, US Cellular; Laura Weaver, Hawaiian Telcom; Kevin Rupy, Wiley Rein; Guy Pearson, Bank of America, who have all joined the CFCA board in 2024 and are already involved in several initiatives and committee activities. Read about them on our website.
8. New CFCA committees
This year CFCA witnessed new committees and a restructure of the existing committees for CFCA’s preparation for future development and CFCA expansion as the fraud landscape changes and adapts. New committees, subcommittees, and working groups can be found on the website. New committee members are always welcome to strengthen and support CFCA initiatives.
9. Education
CFCA has undertaken several KNOW Sessions this year, alongside regular monthly closed sessions available to members only, these KNOW Sessions hosted by Adam Panagia, AT&T provide insight and interaction in an open, friendly but professional environment. CFCA has also hosted several open sessions to provide knowledge and insight on several different fraud subjects which had some sessions achieve over 50 attendees.
10. Last but 10. And not least, CFCA has a new President
This year CFCA welcomed Steve Schwed into the role of President of CFCA, Steve is a long-time CFCA contributor and has been involved in CFCA for many years as a member and board member. Steve currently co-chairs the CFCA Handset Trafficking Taskforce, is also engaged in other fraud initiatives including GSMA FASG, and is passionate about the GSMA Device Registry. Steve is excited about his tenure as president and expanding further industry collaborations and proactive activities to reduce fraud, share best practices, and create a collaborative environment for working to minimize fraud. In 2025 Steve will be overseeing the acknowledgment of CFCA’s 40th year, join us to celebrate!
Steve Schwed, newly elected CFCA President in 2024 opens the Fall Educational Event in Washington D.C.
Luke Taylor, CFCA Administration
Great re-cap- and congratulations to all on a memorable 2024.