February 15, 2020

Providing Adequate Cybersecurity for Digital Marketing

We all know by now that cybersecurity is important. With all the news coverage about millions of dollars stolen by cybercriminals to commercials with people claiming that they had their identity stolen through these criminals, we all know how serious a cyberthreat can be.


Having said this, we tend to think that we are safe just because we work with cybersecurity firms that are well-known and well-regarded. However, you may be surprised to know that there is no cybersecurity package that will fit all solutions. This sentiment is especially true when it comes to e-commerce.


Why Cybersecurity is Even More Crucial for Digital Marketing
When it comes to e-commerce, not only do you have your companies sensitive data, but you also have sensitive data of your customers. Imagine having your customers' private information, like their addresses, and their banking information along with their passwords, right in front of those hackers' views? Imagine having your company's access codes, banking information, and so forth in front of those hackers' views? Both situations are totally horrific.


You can lose millions upon millions of dollars, and your customers can lose a lot of money and get their credit ruined. Their identity could also be stolen. And as a result, your company can endure a lot of turmoil due to your losses and the customers possibly discovering that hackers stole their sensitive information through your company.


As a result, customers wouldn't trust entering their financial information for purchasing your products online due to the fear of cybercriminals hacking in again. Furthermore, this detrimental situation could cause possible lawsuits for you, and you could possibly lose your e-commerce company.


Security Breaches

Another crucial aspect of cybersecurity is the possibility of a security breach occurring one day. When having employees in marketing positions, they usually are privy to sensitive data that e-commerce organizations don't want to share with the general public.


So, it's imperative that your e-commerce company has safety precautions as part of your employees' work. They must have access codes or the sort to log-in to get those sensitive details. That way, only key people will have the company and customers' information along with the system showing who entered to retrieve that information. This type of security will make the employees think twice before giving out information.

Malware

Malware is another security issue relating to digital marketing. If you share a link to a site that hosts malware, you will get a devastating outcome especially when it is done via a trusted online source, like an Instagram account managed by a marketing firm. Online security efforts are also undermined through marketing from false security-related or outdated data. This data or false security-related marketing promotes software that is heavily security flawed and encourages risky online behavior.


Managing Updates of WordPress

Online marketers often manage WordPress sites, and the outdated software components are the most accessible means that a hacker can exploit. Also, unintended security loopholes occur many times due to patch files that are usually done during the downloading of software updates.


Management of User Accounts

Sometimes, marketers obtain special user accounts to manage specific features of the site. And thus, marketers must do so responsibly. Compromised user accounts lead to security threats a lot of times. Furthermore, a higher security risk is inevitable since marketer accounts frequently have more permissions.


Due to this situation, sites are always searching for suspicious user behavior, including account information changes, excessive access requests, daily downloads, and more. So, marketers should access from only one IP address as access attempts from various IPs can be considered a sign of suspicious behavior.


Ensuring Your E-commerce Company has the Following Criteria for Cybersecurity

Now, that you see how crucial these issues are, you can work to ensure your company has the right cybersecurity measures. The following includes criteria to look for when choosing the right security firm for digital marketing in your company:


• High-quality firewall that blocks suspicious visitors

• High-quality cloud firewall that bands 100s of millions of bad IPs from visiting

• Autofixing that only requires one-click action to handle complicated security issues

• Malware scanner detecting a malicious code on the site

• Verifying your installed plugins through the plugin integrity checker

• Scanning your main WordPress files for changes

• Automatic scans that warns if there is trouble

• Event logs that know everything that is occuring on your site

• Easy/instant downloading and activation

• Top-notch encryption to secure financial transactions

• Top-notch encryption to secure customer and company information

• Insurance that your site will prevent downtime and remain safe


Partnering with Security Companies

This step will also ensure your e-commerce company maintains top-notch cybersecurity. Marketers staying closely in touch with online security firms for security-related issues is the way to go. Marketers will become savvy as they gain an edge over their competitors by obtaining better information about the potential risks of various marketing strategies.

Cybersecurity is very important. And just because we work with cybersecurity firms that are well-known and well-regarded doesn't necessarily mean your company is adequately secured. You may be surprised to know that there is no cybersecurity package that fits all solutions.


Cybersecurity is even more crucial for digital marketing. If you are not properly secured, you can lose millions upon millions of dollars, and your customers can lose a lot of money and get their credit ruined. Their identity could also be stolen. And as a result, you can go through a lot more until you hit rock bottom. Using the steps above will ensure your e-commerce business has the utmost in cybersecurity.