In the 21st century, businesses are operating within an innovative, internet-centred, technology filled world. Unfortunately, as online interaction becomes fundamental in the world of business, hackers and fraudsters are continuously finding new ways to harm you and your customers. As such, online safety is paramount for all companies, but for none more-so than businesses in e-commerce.

As you celebrate your graduation from startup to SME, don’t forget that your e-commerce business will become more susceptible to online threats. In fact, small businesses are targeted more frequently than larger corporations, largely because the latter tends to invest in more extensive security procedures.

So how can you navigate this minefield and make your e-commerce site safe? To protect your SME, follow these tips:

Pay for Penetration Testing

More commonly referred to as a pen test, the purpose of penetration testing is to seek potential security problems and quantify threats. There are various types and formats of pen tests, but they all aim to find vulnerabilities which could be exploited by hackers.

Unlike other forms of security, a penetration test attempts to create an authentic breach. Professionals act like hackers, exploiting weaknesses and highlighting areas of concern without real-world damage. Once completed, you will be armed with new ways to protect your SME which can help to prevent any future hacks.

Tip: Always choose a pen test company with CREST accreditation, such as Nettitude

Think About the Payment Processes

One of the best ways to protect your SME against hackers, is to minimise the amount of data you store; if the information does not exist, a hacker cannot steal it. This is especially important in terms of payment.

There are a number of precautions that can be taken, including but not limited to: not giving customers the option of storing card information, directing customers to a secure third party gateway to process payments, and using encryption technology to prevent hackers from decrypting sensitive information.

Consider Cyber Insurance

Cyber insurance has been around for almost a decade, but has only recently become more common place. Also known as cyber liability, this insurance is essentially an emergency back-up plan.

Unfortunately, attacks are becoming more common and particularly for SMEs. Just as quickly as new software and deterrents are created, hackers are formulating innovative and sophisticated ways to break through. While there are steps you can take to secure your e-commerce business, should the worst happen, cyber insurance provides cover and protection when sensitive data is stolen.