Online businesses face many challenges in these dynamic times. From robust virtual competition and expanding marketplaces to appreciating the actions taken by their competitors, little should be taken for granted. The role of cybersecurity is yet another variable that has become increasingly relevant due in large part to increased risks. This highlights an important question.
What steps can e-commerce companies take to mitigate such ongoing threats? There are actually several potent strategies to appreciate and four of these will be discussed immediately below.
Virtual Private Servers
Many websites are currently using shared hosting servers. Although these might represent the most cost-effective options, security is often sacrificed as an unintentional result. Experts agree that respected virtual private server (VPS) hosts such as IONOS are able to provide much more reliable and targeted firewalls. This is obviously important for any organisation that wishes to keep sensitive information (such as client emails) behind closed doors at all times.
Keeping an Eye on Big Data
It is equally prudent to appreciate the “big picture” in terms of emerging cybersecurity threats. This can sometimes involve leveraging the power of big data analytics. These processes are essentially involved with the collection, collation and interpretation of large amounts of data. The most modern now rely upon advanced tools such as AI algorithms in order to provide an additional level of clarity. If businesses and stakeholders are able to see current and future security challenges, they will be much more capable of making informed strategic decisions when the time is right.
Robust Antivirus Firewalls
Every website should rely upon more than SSL (secure sockets layer) encryption alone in terms of online security. While SSL protocols are indeed robust in and of themselves, data breaches and other nefarious scenarios such as DDoS attacks can still occur. Spyware, phishing and malware may likewise be able to slip through SSL protection on occasion. This is why employing a robust third-party antivirus software package is always crucial. The best software bundles can also be customised in accordance with the metrics of the organisation in question. This enables potential threats to be detected, quarantined and removed before any real damage is done.
Two-Factor Authentication
This next recommendation is especially useful for websites that utilise point-of-sale systems in order to expedite online purchases. Two-factor authentication (often abbreviated as “2FA”) is a system which requires customers to present two individual forms of identification before a transaction will be approved. One common example is the submission of credit card details and a subsequent confirmation by responding to a mobile SMS message. The primary intention is to prevent threats such as fraud and identity theft. 2FA should become even more commonplace in the near future.
The Changing Face of Cybersecurity
Both small and large organisations alike need to take online security seriously. Not only are the threats constantly evolving, but the presence of AI could usher in even more challenges. The good news is that an ounce of (digital) protection will make all of the difference in the world.
