E-commerce is the heartbeat of a global economy and one of the most lucrative industries to join. It offers a wide range of opportunities for growth and extension, as well as access to the intercontinental public.
While such globalization brings significant profits and market influence, there is another side of the medal – security challenges.
Imagine this: every online store is a treasure trove of sensitive customer data, a target that hackers are constantly trying to breach. This is where the importance of e-commerce security comes into sharp focus. SAP E-commerce, a leading name in the e-commerce platform sphere, offers robust tools to combat these security threats. But, having the right tools is just the beginning.
The real question is, how do we use these tools effectively? How do we safeguard our online stores against the ever-evolving threats? In this article, we will delve into the best practices for e-commerce security, specifically focusing on safeguarding your business using SAP Commerce Cloud. So, keep reading!
First, What is SAP Commerce Cloud?
SAP Commerce Cloud is an integral part of the SAP ecosystem. It provides its clients with a seamlessly performing E-commerce platform, which boosts the store’s functioning and automation, streamlines the shopping experience, and increases profits.
SAP Commerce Cloud provides an extensive choice of tools to serve the B2C, B2B, D2C, B2B2C, and other business models. SAP for E-commerce businesses is a key to a successful digital existence and performance.
However, such an advantageous functionality can only be provided by highly professional specialists, with a proven track of successful SAP implementation, like the team of professionals from LeverX.
LeverX is an SAP Global Strategic Supplier, with 20+ years of SAP implementation experience. They keep tabs on all the SAP developments and improvements, offering their clients the best-fitting solutions.
SAP Commerce Cloud Security Considerations
#1: Data encryption
Protection of customer data starts with globally accepted safety guidelines. SAP Commerce Cloud complies with two major security regulations. The first is GDPR (General Data Protection Regulations, which follows EU standards) and the second is CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act, which can be applied to any business all over the USA).
By following GDPR and CCPA, SAP Commerce Cloud ensures its reliability concerning customer privacy and data security.
#2: Proactive position
Prevention is better than cure; investing in preventive measures is better than recovery from the hacker’s attacks. Safety of the E-commerce environment relies greatly on robust security systems, continuous monitoring of suspicious activities, intrusion detection systems, constant firewall updates, etc.
#3: Penetration testing (Bug bounty)
One of the latest security trends is bug bounty testing when businesses hire ‘white hackers’ to explore all the possible weaknesses and bugs in the store’s functioning. A ‘controlled’ hacker’s attack helps to reveal all the vulnerabilities and work on the relevant code changes.
The frequency of such testing depends on the size and extensiveness of the E-commerce unit, but no less than once a year. The bigger the store gets, the more vigilant the owners should be, as the data is being accumulated, and the ‘black’ hackers are very creative regarding malicious attacks.
#4: Education
Security issues are often addressed to tech reasons and insufficiently built security systems. However, even the best-protected system can be broken because of a human mistake and a low-reliability password.
It is important to raise awareness among the employees regarding the usage of strong passwords, and multi-factor identification.
#5: Continuous updates
The E-commerce platform should always be shielded with the latest updates of the security system, and regular audits of potential security bugs.
#6: Secure third-party integrations
SAP Commerce Cloud has a highly adaptable nature. It is easily integrated with ‘native’ modules like SAP Extended Warehouse Management (SAP EWM), SAP Logistics (SAP YL), and SAP S/4HANA, benefiting the extensive functioning of the E-commerce store. Or else, it can also be integrated with other payment or document flow systems.
When opting for third-party integrations, it is important to ensure their non-breachable nature, as their vulnerabilities will lead directly to the E-commerce store dysfunction.
#7: System backup
Forearmed-forewarned. While building a security system, it is important to take care of a potential attack recovery by regular backups of critical and sensitive data to minimize the recovery time and restore the seamless functioning of the store.
#8: Transparency policies
In case of data breaches, it is important to be open to the customers about the issues, providing details about the information stolen and measures taken. It is important not to lose the trust of the clients, thus, depending on the conditions, elaborate on a recovery bonus system to make up for all the disturbances and rebuild trust with the clients.
#9: Vigilance
Cyber threats always develop and improve their malicious nature, overcoming security barriers. Businesses must be aware of all the threats, and change their security strategies accordingly.
It is important to hire top professionals for the security teams, to make sure your E-commerce world is hacker-proof and the customers are protected.
Final Note
Every E-commerce store is a complex and highly structured system that has to deal with large volumes of data regarding store functioning and customers’ personal information.
Therefore, it is vital to build a multi-layered protective system against all the vulnerabilities and malintent.
Businesses are supposed to build a holistic and proactive approach to protect their E-commerce store from potential breaches, thus, gaining trust from the customers.