CrowdStrike has been actively involved in investigating and addressing cybersecurity threats, particularly focusing on vulnerabilities within franchise businesses and service providers. The company has identified that criminal entities exploit the decentralized nature of franchises and the privileged access of service providers to infiltrate networks and deploy point-of-sale (PoS) malware targeting credit card data. These entities use publicly available PoS malware and credential theft tools, exploiting gaps in organizational structures and legal protections to conduct financial fraud and extortion. CrowdStrike emphasizes the importance of proactive security measures, such as security program development and penetration testing, to identify vulnerabilities before breaches occur. Additionally, they advocate for cloud-based security models to provide the necessary flexibility and efficiency for distributed networks, particularly in franchise settings. The evolution of payment technologies and increasing dependency on third-party providers underscore the need for robust cybersecurity strategies to prevent exploitation and breaches.