Small Business: You are the prime holiday target for computer hackers! Why should you be concerned?
- 71% of hacker attacks hit businesses with under 100 employees
- 69% of consumers worry about theft of their payment card data
- Last year, the average hacking cost a small business $20,752, up from $8,600 in 2013
- 60% of small businesses breached close in six months
What are you doing now to keep your customers’ data and your business safe?
Our 12-post series explores how small retailers can ACT now to repel data thieves during this prime shopping season. Awareness, Checking security controls and Testing security now will help your business lock down your systems before the holiday rush.
Here’s what you can look forward to in the series:
Be AWARE. First, we’ll look at some of the leading threats to your business:
- Skimming – copying card data to make counterfeit cards and steal money.
- Malware – software created to damage computers and steal passwords/money.
- Web app attacks – hackers penetrate your website to gain control of visitors’ accounts and steal money.
- Unauthorized access – someone who sneaks into your computer or point of sale terminal to steal card data.
CHECK controls. Next, we’ll explore key security measures that can help you protect against these threats:
- Patches – software update to fix mistakes in coding.
- Passwords – words, phrases or string of random characters providing access to computers and systems.
- Firewalls – software that controls data flow in and out of networks and computers.
- Encryption – software that makes plaintext data unreadable.
TEST security. And finally, we’ll provide some practical tips for putting your ACTion plan into place:
- Is your anti-hacking software working?
- Who’s checked your point-of-sale for skimming devices?
- Are you using tested products and vendors?
- Could you and your employees pass a security awareness test?
Read our blog posts. Protect your business. And ACT now!
Merchants looking for more information on payment security essentials should start here:
