You have recently set up an eCommerce site, things are going well, but you worry about keeping it secure from hackers. You are aware of what can happen if cybercriminals get into your site and steal the data you have stored there. There are steps you can take to make your eCommerce secure from cyberhacking.
The Right Web Host
As you know from your travels on the web, many companies host websites. Some host personal blogs, from home businesses, and so on, not the most secure. Others host online businesses and are geared to be more secure as they offer dedicated hosting plans.
with any other companies. Look for a hosting company that uses robust firewalls, offers affordable security software, and includes SSL certificates in their plan. Do your research check the company’s reputation and make sure you are getting quality hosting.
No Lock = No Shop
Google made changes about 12 months ago so that websites without the security of an SSL certificate are specifically identified as “Not Secure”. Are you happy if a current or prospective customer sees this when they click thru to your website.
- Never enter personal / financial information if you see this.
- Check your website now.
Encryption
When your business computers are sending data you want it secure so only the recipient can read it. This is ‘encryption’, based on the science of Cryptology and has been used to secure communication for centuries.
In this era of cybercrime, encrypting your data stored or sent over the web is crucial to your eCommerce business survival.
The Spartans used an encryption device known as a Scytale, a thin wooden cylinder. A piece of parchment paper was wrapped around the scytale, a message would be written along the cylinder’s length. When the parchment was removed from the scytale, the written words would be too jumbled to read. The recipient of the message would wrap the parchment around another scytale, and the message could be read
Employee Training
The reason most companies lose data or are hacked is due to employee error.
You should regularly train and remind our employees how to keep the data they are working with safe. This includes the know how to detect phishing emails, spam emails, and suspicious websites. Your employees should also know what protocols to take if customer files are hacked and how your disaster recovery plan works.
More Security Tips
- Your business accepts credit or debit cards; your company must comply with all PCI regulations.
- If your eCommerce business doesn’t need the data; do not store it.
- Use secure firewalls for protection against malware, viruses, Trojan horses, and keep them up-to-date.
- Secure your company’s network with an intrusion detection system (IDS) that will sound the alarm when any suspicious activity is detected.
- Test your system by having an ethical hack attempt to gain access to company data, this way, you know what works and what doesn’t.
- Use a secure platform providing several different security tools using an object-oriented programming language with strong credentials.
Lastly
You cannot be too cautious about cybersecurity. Staying alert, continually update, monitor, and test your security system that safeguards your company data will you stay ahead of the cybercriminals that slither along with the web.
