The world has shifted from Machine Age to Digital Age, meaning, anything and everything can be made available digitally. According to an IAMAI-IMRB report, as of December 2016, there were 432 million internet users in India and by June 2017, the number would further increase by 4-8% and reach up to 450-465 million. After looking at these numbers, companies have started considering e-retailing as a promising way for selling their products and earning more out of it. Even large brick and mortar retail commerce giants like Shopperstop, Dmart and more have started to operate in the e-commerce space.

Though e-commerce has revolutionized the concept of conducting business by providing an equal chance to all the businesses, it has some limitations too. Due to the openness of internet; it’s indirectly a threat to e-commerce companies as anyone can get any information online. While large and established companies have a team of cyber experts, finding an IT security/admin guy in a small start-up or a business is seldom the case.

If you are a just starting up or running a small online business or are responsible for overlooking the IT security team in your organization, just follow this QualiSpace Cyber Security checklist to ensure that your shopping portal is secured.

1. Software Tools:

When building a website, you have software tools like Adobe Dreamweaver, Google Web Designer, etc. No matter how you build your e-commerce website, updating the software regularly is crucial. Updates are usually in terms of improvising the security of your software. A dated software can serve as an entry point for hackers.

2. SSL Security:

During payments, if the customers are redirected to another website like PayPal, then you need not worry about having an SSL seal. That said, having an SSL certificate can help your customers feel secure while they enter and save their personal details on your website. Also, if you already have or think of creating your own digital wallet, then you must have an SSL certificate on your website. The certificate ensures the data entered by you or your customers is encrypted, meaning, it is converted into a code to safeguard the information. You can get an SSL security here.

3. Site-Lock Security:

Just like your computer has an anti-virus that detects viruses and removes them, even a website can be protected from threats by having a Site-Lock security. The lock identifies any threat and repairs it effectively. In addition, it also sends a notification to you. You can get Site-lock security here.

4. Admin Panel:

Admin panel is where all the administrative controls of your website reside. It is important to secure it with strong credentials. As a thumb rule, avoid using your personal names as either usernames or passwords. One must make use of strong alphanumeric passwords and unique usernames. These credentials should only be shared with authorized personnel.

5. CodeGuard Backup:

Backing up data is essential. You might recover from a hack, but recovering your lost data is tough and at times, an impossible task. CodeGuard is a technique that performs automatic backup routines. It notifies you when there is a change in your website and backup it. If you want to go to the older version of your website, it restores your previous database. You can get a CodeGaurd for your website from QualiSpace.

6. Payment Getaways:

It is advisable to not store customers’ card details on your website. Using payment getaways like PayPal, PayTM and others will redirect your customers outside your website. Complying with PCI Data Security standards will ensure all the card payment transactions are safe and sound.

7. Anti-virus software:

Securing your systems is inevitable by installing a strong firewall protection and updated antivirus software will ward off most intrusions. Additionally, it is recommended that you run a full scan at least once a week.

8. Alphanumeric Passwords:

A strong password should have a combination of letters, numbers, and characters. Hacking data becomes difficult when the passwords are complicated. Use such passwords on your system and prompt your users to create the before-mentioned type of passwords while signing up.

9. Human Resource:

All the data should be trusted with only a few employees. Make a thorough background check before recruiting staff. Additionally, those handling the software need to be certified professionals. Changing system passwords when an employee leaves his job is necessary.