Small businesses are tempting targets for cybercriminals. They know smaller shops lack the robust security of larger ones. That’s why implementing eCommerce security measures is mandatory.

Discover how to protect your customers’ data, meet compliance standards, and safeguard your eCommerce website against cyber threats. Here at Nativo, we’ll reveal how to do it right.

Safeguard your online business from eCommerce security threats by leaning on the knowledge of our tribe at Nativo.

Common Cyber Threats Targeting e-Commerce Platforms

Running an online store is exciting, but it comes with risks. There are several common eCommerce security threats to be aware of:

  • Malicious code: Harmful software code that can infiltrate your website, steal customer data, or disrupt site functionality.
  • Malicious software: Designed to cause harm, malicious software can operate quietly within your systems, potentially leading to data loss or system damage.
  • Financial fraud: It involves unauthorized or fraudulent transactions on your site that cause your business to lose money.
  • Brute force attacks: An attacker systematically attempts all possible combinations of passwords or encryption keys until the correct one is found.
  • Data breaches: Unauthorized individuals gain access to sensitive customer information stored on your platform. A severe threat that can lead to reputational damage and legal consequences.

e-Commerce Security Best Practices Your e-Commerce Must Follow

The risk of unauthorized access to your company’s data is just around the corner. According to a study conducted by DataProt, 70% of small businesses are unprepared for cyberattacks. What does this mean? It means that you must protect yourself.

Here are the top 6 eCommerce security protocols to prevent cyber attacks:

#1 Implement SSL

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) is an encryption security protocol that keeps customer data safe and sound.

Why do you need it?

Without SSL, hackers can steal your customers’ personal information. Additionally, potential customers might see a “Not Secure” warning and leave, thinking your site isn’t secure.

How to get SSL?

Contact your web hosting company and ask if they can provide an SSL certificate and help you set it up. Or, you can request it from the Certificate Authorities, like Go Daddy or Cloudflare, and install it yourself.

Things to consider:

SSL certificates need to be renewed periodically. Also, every web server has its own process for installing and updating SSL/TLS certificates. To avoid the hassle, trust Nativo. As a top-notch eCommerce marketing agency, we’re prepared to handle your needs.

#2 Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

Microsoft explains that two-factor authentication (2FA) is a security measure that requires two forms of identification before accessing resources or sensitive data.

Why do you need 2FA?

You need 2FA to prevent data breaches and prevent cybercriminals from getting access to credit card details and sensitive business information.

How to get it?

Research a 2FA provider and make sure it offers the features you require. Implementing the proper 2FA method is critical to the security of your eCommerce site and online transactions. Therefore, make sure it suits your business requirements.

Things to consider:

Customer experience is essential when considering a 2FA method. You need to give your customers some flexibility and convenience. The most common options are SMS, email, phone calls, apps, and hardware tokens.

Make sure professionals handle all aspects of the process. You can rely on Nativo to maintain your site’s security and functionality.

#3 Don’t delay website maintenance and updates

To stay on track with e-commerce security, continuously monitor and update your site’s plugins and themes. Also, keep an eye on new security updates to patch vulnerabilities and find new fixes.

Maintaining eCommerce security best practices can be challenging. To avoid this, hire people who can handle the job effortlessly so that you can focus on other aspects of your business. Nativo will not only save you time on your website maintenance routine, but it will also protect your eCommerce business from outdated features. 

#4 Take care of the human element

In e-commerce security, your employees are vital to keeping cyber threats away. However, people can be vulnerable. The better equipped your team is, the stronger your defense against cyberattacks.

Here’s how to empower your team:

  1. Help them spot phishing: Cybercriminals often use sneaky emails to trick your team into revealing sensitive information. Proper training helps your employees recognize phishing attempts.
  2. Teach them to create strong passwords: Hackers love weak passwords. Ensure your staff makes strong passwords containing at least eight letters, numbers, and symbols.
  3. Ensure they stay up-to-date: Cyber threats evolve. Regular training sessions can keep your staff updated on the latest security risks.

#5 Implement advanced security measures

eCommerce businesses need robust security measures to protect against digital threats. 

Among them are:

  • Firewalls: They monitor and filter network traffic to ensure the network security of your eCommerce store. How? It allows only legitimate, non-threatening traffic in and keeps dangerous traffic out.
  • DDoS attack tools: When massive amounts of traffic flood your website, it causes it to slow down or stop working. If there is a flood of suspicious traffic to your store, DDoS protection filters it out, allowing only legitimate customers to access it.
  • Anti-malware software: To scan, identify, and remove malware from an infected system or network before any damage is done.
  • Antivirus: To continuously scan your files and programs for viruses or malicious code. When it detects something harmful, it alerts and helps you remove it.
  • Multi-layer security: A combination of different security measures to ensure that if one layer fails, there are others to protect your business. 

#6 Create a response plan for security breaches

A data breach response plan for your eCommerce website can reduce the impact on affected individuals, reduce costs associated with the breach, and reduce reputational damage.

 To craft a comprehensive plan, consider the following aspects:

  • Define a data breach: Explain what constitutes a breach. Customize examples to match your business activities to help your staff identify breaches.
  • Plan for containment: Develop a strategy for containing, assessing, and managing data breaches.
  • Assign roles and responsibilities: Clearly outline your staff’s responsibilities and keep a current list of contact details to help you.
  • Documentation: Determine how you will document data breach incidents. Documenting helps ensure regulatory compliance.
  • Evaluate the causes and your response: Include strategies to address weaknesses in security and refine your response strategy after the breach.
At Nativo, we help our clients protect customer data and ensure their website's security.

We Can Help You Audit Your e-Commerce and Build a Security Action Plan!

Count on Nativo to develop a website that meets all the e-commerce security measures. As eCommerce experts, we meticulously examine our clients’ eCommerce sites and work hand-in-hand with them to create a rock-solid security action plan. Partner with Nativo to embrace a worry-free e-commerce experience.