How to Protect Your Online Store from Cyberattacks
The global e-commerce market has experienced steady growth over the years, and sales could reach $6.38 trillion by 2024. Yet whether your store is online or in addition to brick-and-mortar locations, trust is critical, and customers must feel secure when giving their credit card details. Safeguarding your online store from cyberattacks protects your credibility and consumer confidence. Plus, it avoids all the costs that come with a data breach.rn
The Risk to Online Retailers
rnCybercriminals target online retail businesses for financial gain. Online retailers handle large volumes of customer data, and hackers see a trove of personal information they could use for phishing attacks or identity theft, or for sale on the Dark Web.rnrnOnline retailers are at risk of:rn- rn
- e-commerce platform security vulnerabilities – hackers can exploit these to gain unauthorized access, or they might redirect payments or inject malicious code into the website; rn
- ransomware attacks that disrupt your operations and lead to financial losses; rn
- business disruption or brand damage from website defacement or sensitive information leaks; rn
- competitors attempting to steal intellectual property, which might include product designs, pricing strategies, or customer lists; rn
- noncompliance with regulatory requirements such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). rn
Steps to Protect Your Business
rnSecuring your IT infrastructure can help shield your online store. Select a Web hosting provider that offers robust security features, then keep your e-commerce software up to date.rnrnAlso, ensure your internal network has strong cybersecurity measures. Update and patch the operating system, Web server, and plugins to protect all endpoints, and install anti-malware and antivirus software.rnrnRecognize that employees can represent a threat too:rn- rn
- Educate your employees about common threats (e.g. phishing emails and social engineering). rn
- Ensure that your employees use strong, unique passwords. rn
- Limit access to systems based on what people need to do their jobs, and nothing more. rn
- Enable multi-factor authentication. Verification beyond username and password – for both customers and employees – can add extra security. rn