percentage of incidents of data breach. Although large scale breaches are less common, every day smaller retailers all around the country fall victim to data breaches of smaller scales. They range from malicious card swipes at gas stations and self-checkout terminals to random hacks. Sometimes all it takes is an employee accidentally clicking on a malicious email attachment to open the door for a data breach. Smaller retailers are particularly vulnerable due to the lack of security standards implemented and followed. There are a few practices that are simple to implement.
First, do not use default passwords. Instead, use “strong” passwords that include
capital letters, numbers and even symbols.
This simple practice to change the default password of any system will
dramatically reduce the chance of random hackers getting into your system.
Second, have a Firewall that protects your internal
network. A firewall is an essential part
of any network setup nowadays; it is a must have for any POS system. Once again, do not use the default password
on this critical security system for your network.
Third, implement PCI recommended wireless security standards. Most retailers today have wireless devices,
which are another entry point to your network; having strong enough encryption standards
are essential.
Last, avoid using non-essential applications on your POS
systems. As mentioned above, it is easy
for a user to click on a malicious email attachment that would deploy spyware,
malware, key-logger or other malicious app on your POS systems.
The fight to keep user data secure is never ending. As criminals continues to seek vulnerability
and new ways to steal data combined with the increase of mobile POS system
deployment, it is more critical than ever for retailers of all sizes to treat
system security as the top priority and to implement all possible measures to
combat the threat of attack.
