15: How payments security actually works, explained by an expert

In this eye-opening episode, Candice Pressinger of Elavon takes us behind the curtain of payment security, demystifying the complex systems, technologies, and human expertise that keep billions in retail transactions safe every day.

With decades of experience at the cutting edge of fraud prevention and compliance, Candice reveals what even the biggest retailers still get wrong about protecting revenue and maintaining PCI-DSS compliance and the very real financial consequences of treating security as a box-ticking exercise. 

She breaks down how AI-powered Transaction Risk Analysis (TRA) and biometric verification are transforming fraud control, explaining in plain, accessible terms how these innovations boost approval rates while reducing false declines.

Candice also lifts the lid on the evolving fraud landscape, from synthetic identities to coordinated cyberattacks, and offers clear, practical guidance on where retailers should focus their security investments for maximum protection and minimal disruption. With AI now embedded across most modern fraud systems, she provides a grounded take on its risks, limitations, and blind spots, and how to balance automation with human oversight.

Drawing on her experience managing PCI security at scale for BT, Candice highlights the importance of building a culture of security. One that empowers teams across every level of an organisation to take ownership, act decisively, and maintain resilience in the face of new threats.

As she puts it: “If fraudsters were a country, they’d have the third largest GDP, around £10 trillion, just behind the USA and China. They’re working hard to grow and innovate.” — Candice Pressinger, Elavon

Whether you’re a CISO, a payments lead, or a retail executive responsible for customer trust, this episode offers a rare, expert-led masterclass in what truly effective payments security looks like, and how to make it a competitive advantage, not just a compliance requirement.