Top Cybersecurity Lessons for Ecommerce Website Administrators

Satisfied customers are loyal customers, and they spread the message that your site is a safe bet. But ensuring your online experience is safe is not only about creating a great customer experience. It also touches on other types of online life. Insufficient cyber security training and poor e-commerce web security can result in hefty costs, including the cost of downtime, cost of data breach notifications, loss of customers, and fines because of non-compliance.

Here’s a top tip list of things to evaluate to ensure you de-risk your eCommerce websites.

Secure your Communications

If your e-commerce service is not configured to use HTTPS, then this should be a priority. HTTPS is achieved through the implementation of the Transport Layer Security (TLS) secured communication protocol across your domain. TLS is an enhancement to the Protected Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol already in use.

Having HTTPS in place guarantees authentication and encryption of all data transferred between the client and the network. It is especially important to maintain that all pages that handle personal data and/or financial data are protected by HTTPS.

Establish Stable Authentication

Multiple malware infections of e-commerce sites are caused by insecure logins to the backend system and CMS interface. Regularly replace default passwords after you have set up and configured your site. Wherever enabled, set up two-factor authentication for your administrator.

Utilize Audit Tools to Monitor Unusual Login Activity

For your users, reliable authentication is something you need to consider. Assure that the account login credentials are designed to be as strong as possible before you allow your clients to set up an account.

Ideally, this means letting clients set up a second factor to log in when a password has been entered. Protecting client data from phishing requires using a two-factor authentication program or an alternative. According to the e-commerce platform and transaction risk level, you might need to build even more secure authentication methods like risk-based and biometrics.

Secure Web Servers

Misconfigurations are behind several compromises with web servers. Sometimes a web server will be installed and configured using sample or default files, along with configuration options. These are often not designed for protection, thus leaving open access to external actors through online services or by default passwords.

Do not take safety for granted and verify all configuration settings on the first setup, as well as if an update has been installed.

Patch in Time

All of your eCommerce website’s components, including the CMS backend plugins, and themes have to be updated constantly as new updates come out. If you do not, there is a higher risk of your site being detected for attack; cybercriminals are using bots to search for unpatched systems to target.

Keep Payments Safe

Online transactions are a focal point for cybercrimes. Ensuring that safe electronic payments are relevant from a consumer perspective and ensuring that you stay in accordance with financial regulations.

Be Security-aware

It is critical to have everyone involved in an e-commerce site be security-aware. Many attacks on security begin with simple things. Cyber security training tailored to the multiple roles in an e-commerce activity will significantly reduce the cyber-risk. Training will typically cover topics such as not exchanging passwords, how spear phishing works and ensuring that updates are completed promptly.

Offer Customer Security Awareness

Security awareness can eventually become part of supporting customers. Several websites now offer blog posts and other content advising clients on how to remain cyber-safe and secure. This can include advice on the phishing and password instruction sign.

Secure Backups and Disaster Recovery

You should try to provide a contingency plan for backups and recovery if the worst happens. It costs time and money to have your eCommerce website out of service, and a safe backup is necessary. A process should help everyone understand their position and what needs to be done to get the site up and running.