In today’s dynamic dining scene, restaurant gift cards are a widely accepted and adaptable form of currency.
Whether for birthdays or holidays, these tokens of appreciation provide the perfect way to treat loved ones to a delicious meal. However, with the increasing prevalence of digital transactions and cyber threats, it’s more important than ever to ensure the security of restaurant gift cards.
Enter cutting-edge software engineers who have come up with solutions to stop fraudsters and cyber attacks in their tracks.
These unsung heroes work tirelessly behind the scenes to protect the integrity of gift cards which can make memories and help special occasions even more cherished.
“Gone are the days of traditional paper gift certificates tucked into envelopes. Today, restaurant gift cards have undergone a digital transformation,” says Cybersecurity expert Sivakumar Vinayagam, who is also highly skilled in Software Engineering.
‘They have become seamlessly integrated into the digital wallets and online platforms of consumers worldwide.”
He adds: “This evolution has enhanced patrons’ convenience and presented new challenges for restaurants in safeguarding these digital assets against fraud and exploitation.
“By implementing security for the restaurants it can also preserve the trust of both patrons and establishments.”
With the shift towards digital transactions, restaurant gift cards have become susceptible to many cyber threats, including hacking, identity theft, and unauthorized access.
“Cybercriminals are constantly devising new methods to exploit vulnerabilities in digital systems, ” says Vinayagam.
“There is a significant risk to both consumers and establishments. As a result, the need for robust security measures to protect restaurant gift cards has never been greater.”
With over a decade of experience, Vinayagam excels in the technical and operational aspects of software engineering.
Currently, as Lead Systems Architect with Netmasons and its service Securetree, he has been instrumental in driving technological advancements and delivering high-quality software solutions.
Vinayagam’s extensive experience with C#ASP.NET Core, Razor Pages, and Docker cloud hosting, along with familiarity with NopCommerce, AWS, MySQL, and Redis cache, has enabled him to develop and deploy efficient, scalable applications. His role involves hands-on coding, leading teams, managing projects, and ensuring seamless, robust deployments for high performance and reliability.
He also has a Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering from Anna University, Chennai, and is pursuing a Master of Business Administration and Management at Indiana University—Kelley School of Business.
To add to his unique expertise, Vinayagam has educated himself both in electronics and communication, a highly unusual combination for someone in his field.
His technical and business education blend allows him to bridge the gap between engineering and strategic business management effectively.
As a Cybersecurity Specialist, Vinayagam has introduced cutting-edge software solutions for his clients, including individual dining establishments and restaurant chains.
From the 33 Restaurant Group in Texas, which includes the Cadillac Pizza Pub and Heritage Pizza and Taproom, to the Ale Emporium chain in Indianapolis, he keeps restaurant systems secure from cyber fraud.
Vinayagam also works with Cunningham Restaurant Group, which has locations in three different states, and the Altamarea Restaurant Group, which has over 20 restaurants worldwide.
In addition, he manages the needs of The Flagship Restaurant Group, which is based in Omaha, Steak 44, and the Texas Cattle Company.
Methods used include a combination of encryption, tokenization, and advanced fraud detection algorithms to safeguard transactions and protect sensitive data for his clients
He says: “Encryption scrambles sensitive data, such as gift card numbers and transaction details, rendering it unreadable to anyone without the proper decryption key. On the other hand, tokenisation replaces sensitive data with unique identifiers known as tokens, which are meaningless to anyone who intercepts them.
“Together, encryption and tokenization ensure that even if cybercriminals gain unauthorized access to transactional data, it remains secure and protected from exploitation.”
In addition to encryption and tokenization, cutting-edge software solutions leverage advanced fraud detection algorithms to identify and mitigate fraudulent activity in real-time.
Vinayagam reveals: “These algorithms analyze patterns and anomalies in transactional data, flagging suspicious activity and triggering alerts for further investigation.
“By proactively detecting and preventing fraud, these solutions help restaurants mitigate financial losses and preserve the trust of their patrons.”
However, cutting-edge software solutions must seamlessly integrate with existing restaurant management systems, point-of-sale (POS) terminals, and online platforms to be effective.
This integration ensures that gift card transactions are processed securely and efficiently, without disrupting operations or compromising the user experience.”
Vinayagam states: “Whether it’s through APIs or custom integrations, these solutions provide restaurants with the flexibility and scalability needed to adapt to evolving security requirements.”
He adds: “Many restaurant owners fear implementing this kind of technology will be difficult and hard for employees to understand. But that just isn’t the case. We provide the bridge for them and do all of this in the background, safeguarding their income and the security of their patrons. From the front end, it is easy to use.”
Compliance with industry standards and regulations is paramount in the highly regulated digital transaction landscape.
Cutting-edge software solutions adhere to strict regulatory standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS), to ensure the highest levels of security and compliance.
Vinayagam believes that staying on top of evolving regulatory requirements can help restaurants mitigate legal risks and protect their reputation.
He predicts: “Cutting-edge software solutions will play an increasingly vital role in safeguarding these digital assets against emerging cyber threats.”
Ali Shahrooz is Co-Founder and Lead Architect of Netmasons Inc. He has worked with Vinayagam since 2019 on payment protection projects.
He says this kind of forward thinking is a perfect fit in the gift card space: “Given our heavy reliance on security and payment integration for gift cards between multiple providers and businesses, it is a necessity to have skills in this area.
“Vinayagam is a highly skilled software engineer who excels under pressure and resolves unexpected technical issues efficiently. You need to have the expertise to make important decisions and seek feedback at critical junctures on these kind of projects.”
Durga Chandraraj, Engineering Manager at Cognizant Technology Solutions, worked with Shiva at Exela (SourceHov) and adds it is also important to check in to understand expectations when it comes to this kind of work: “It can help reduce rework and make code reviews smoother. Having this attitude means that someone like Shiva can actively participated in discussions and feature development.
“In his case, as he became more familiar with the processes and workflow, he provided estimates that aligned well with client expectations and balanced the internal team’s workload. This results in better software solutions for the client, as well as a better experience.”
“There is no doubt the future holds endless possibilities for enhancing the security of restaurant gift cards and preserving the trust of both patrons and establishments alike.
And as technology advances, software leads the way towards a safer and more secure dining experience for all.
