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Sydney Stone '16, who studied economics and public relations during her time at Baldwin Wallace, used her blended skillset to become one of the youngest people in the federal banking system to produce and publish an in-depth, multimedia article explaining how the Fed helps banks defend against criminal hackers.
Starting out as an intern at the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland (FRBC), Stone has been promoted more than once over the last couple of years and now holds the title of communications coordinator. In this position, she is responsible for all communications in the supervision, credit risk and statistics (SCS) department.
In her new role, Stone was assigned to author a multi-part article titled "The Threats, the Criminals, the Motives - Cybersecurity at the Fed." Complete with photos, videos, infographics, tips and more, the project issued on November 26, 2018.
Stone's work explains the threat hackers pose and what the Federal Reserve is doing to aid in the fight. The reading ends with tips from the experts that can help keep bankers and consumers' information safe.
Throughout the article, Stone interviews two cybersecurity experts, a federal reserve policy executive, the chief security officer of PNC bank and an FBI agent who all provide useful tips for everyday cyber users as well as for businesses. For example, if you are a consumer, use two-factor authentication on bank and credit card accounts and, if you are a business, remember to properly encrypt important data and information.
Deborah Guild, chief security officer at PNC, also points out that "the Fed makes sure they have the right talent at the table with the knowledge to understand the balance it takes to simultaneously offer financial services and protect client data." Thanks to the Fed's skilled workers, businesses are being made aware of the cyberattacks they face today and are learning how to prevent them in the future.
Combining economics and public relations might seem like an unlikely pair, but through the education she received at BW, Stone was able to find the perfect niche that encompasses both of her interests.
She states, "The education I received at BW has allowed me to cultivate a career that merges the fascinating subject of economics with the excitement of public relations and communications. The rigorous classes paired with an emphasis on experiential learning prepared me for my first internship at the FRBC, which in turn became my first job out of college. My advisors, professors Julie Miller and Dr. Lewis Sage, supported me throughout my college experience and continue to be mentors. I feel truly lucky to have found a special niche where economics and PR can be part of my everyday job at an organization as unique as the FRBC."
