Vulnerability testing is designed to identify weaknesses in your network, which tells you where and how to strengthen your security posture. Left untested, unknown weak spots can facilitate security incidents like ransomware attacks, malware, and data breaches.
When was the last time you tested your company’s network and applications to look for vulnerabilities? If it’s been a while, or if you haven’t done this at all, keep reading to find out why you need IT vulnerability testing.

1. Cybersecurity is priceless
An IT vulnerability assessment will uncover weak spots in your network so you can prevent hackers from exploiting those weaknesses. However, testing needs to be ongoing to be effective.
Saving money is the worst reason to skip an IT vulnerability assessment. You can’t put a price on protecting your business, but even so, it’s not as expensive as you might think. In fact, you might have access to testing already.
A cybersecurity audit should be part of a good managed services plan, so check with your provider if you haven’t had an assessment yet. Or, if you don’t have managed IT, consider getting this critical service, even if only to secure your company’s network and digital assets.

2. Data breaches are too damaging to risk
The cost of one data breach can be overwhelming enough to cause irreversible damage that extends beyond finances. Even after paying a ransom and/or regulatory fines, you still have to be concerned about reputational damage, the cost of altering your business practices, rising insurance premiums, and operational disruptions.
The long-term damage from a data breach carries the potential to put you out of business. This is possible even if you pay the fines because money can’t save your reputation.

3. Insider threats are real
You might think you already have an impenetrable cybersecurity system in place that works like Fort Knox. That might be true, but it won’t always protect your business against insider threats. If someone in your organization decides to use their access privileges to steal data, information, or sabotage the company, the best security software in the world won’t prevent it from happening.
When you get an IT vulnerability assessment, you’ll see exactly how insider attacks might be carried out. Once these vulnerabilities are documented, you can start implementing access restrictions.

4. Threats constantly evolve
Of all the reasons to get a cybersecurity audit, the fact that threats constantly evolve should be all you need to take action. Cybercriminals are constantly looking for new ways to exploit networks and third-party software applications and if there is a new vulnerability, they’ll find it given enough time.

Source: https://www.smallbizviewpoints.com/2023/03/25/4-reasons-never-to-skip-it-vulnerability-testing

A mobile presence is imperative for businesses as more and more customers search for products, services, and brands on the go. Not being around on the platform means missing out on them and letting the competitors poach them for good. You need to think beyond having a responsive website. In fact, investing in a mobile app should be a priority because customers expect brands to have them. But small business owners may find development costs daunting. However, money constraints should not keep you from capitalizing on the opportunity. Here are some budget tips to empower your business with a mobile app.

1. Set clear goals
Setting clear goals gives you a head start because it enables you to manage your development costs. You must define your audience in the first place, whether you want to target Android users, iOS users, or both. In fact, you can opt for a cross-platform app to cover all platforms and achieve more with less. Also, understand the pain points of the users and the business objective you want to fulfil with the app. Defining your budget should also be a part of the goal-setting process.

2. List the features
Once you know your app development goals, you can build a list of features and functionalities you want the solution to have. At this stage, you can adopt an MVP approach to list only the essential features, and skip the bells and whistles. The good thing about the approach is that it lets you start small and offers the scalability to add more features and functionalities later. It can save you loads of money at present and in the future. Also, create a solid monetization plan to generate revenues from the app.

3. Outsource development expertise
Nothing gets better than outsourcing development expertise when you are short of funds. You need not waste time and money on hiring in-house developers you may not even need after deploying the solution. Finding seasoned cross platform app development expertise is easy as reputable providers offer the service. You can discuss your requirements and get the project on track sooner than later. Your outsourcing partner may even have some valuable suggestions to limit your spending on the project.

4. Set clear expectations
Setting clear expectations is another crucial factor when it comes to empowering your business with a mobile presence without breaking the bank. Share your specifications clearly with the developers. Also, be open about your expectations for budget and timelines to have a perfect product ready at the right time. You must also convey scalability expectations according to your growth plans. Stay in close touch with the development team throughout the project and test the product during different stages. You will be in a better place to get a flawless app ready to launch on time.

Source: http://www.smallbizviewpoints.com/2022/09/09/4-budget-tips-to-empower-your-business-with-a-mobile-app

There’s no denying that e-commerce sales have skyrocketed in recent years. According to statistics, global e-commerce sales reached $3.5 trillion in 2019, and 19.5% of all retail sales are expected to take place over the Internet.

Plus, with more people buying online each year, and in particular using their mobile devices to purchase products and services, it makes perfect sense for businesses of all sizes to have an online store so they can cater to those digital buyers.

Unfortunately, the rise of e-commerce popularity also means an increased and credible threat from cybercriminals. They are people intent on stealing information, such as customer details, payment card information, and other valuable data.

1. Use a Reputable Web Host
Firstly, you must review your hosting setup and clarify that the hosting provider you use offers robust facilities. There are hundreds of thousands of web hosts out there, and most offer e-commerce hosting services.
Ensure your host is reputable and isn’t likely to access your website’s databases for nefarious purposes. Your host should also offer protection such as a hardware firewall, antivirus scanning, and a walled garden to protect your site from others on the same server.

2. Install an SSL/TLS Certificate
Next, your web host will likely offer free SSL/TLS certification for your website. An SSL or TLS certificate ensures data sent between your site and your customers get encrypted, diminishing the risk of “man in the middle” cyberattacks.
There are several levels of certification you can consider. While the level of encryption doesn’t vary much, the benefit of premium certificates is the providers offer compensation if your website gets hacked due to problems with your certificate.

3. Check Your Website Code for Vulnerability
Whether your website runs a custom e-commerce solution or an off-the-shelf one like OpenCart, one thing you must do periodically is check your website code for vulnerabilities.
Sometimes, some code can contain outdated functions or processes that are vulnerable to hacking attempts. Another example of code vulnerability is where connections to databases can become compromised with SQL injections, for instance.

4. Install Malware Protection on Your Website
Your web host may have numerous cybersecurity systems in place on the physical side of things, but what protection have you got on your website itself? If the answer is “none,” now is the time to install malware protection on it.
The software you use will depend on the e-commerce solution you are using. For example, if you’re using WordPress with the WooCommerce plugin, you can install one of many malware protection plugins to protect your site.
Similar solutions exist for specific e-commerce platforms, so you shouldn’t find it hard to locate a suitable plugin or add-on for your website.

5. Screen Your Visitors
Did you know that you can install server-side and website solutions that help you to screen visitors before they can access your website? Such cybersecurity tools can detect if your website is getting accessed by bots intent on accessing your content for malicious means.
For example, Cloudflare offers solutions to screen and block nefarious visitors, such as those carrying out DDoS attacks. Such solutions provide an extra line of defense against hackers and cybercriminals.

6. Enforce Two-Factor Authentication
A common way cybercriminal can gain access to customer information is by using phishing scams to steal people’s login details. Such scams typically trick people into logging into fake websites that look legitimate.
If you don’t already offer two-factor authentication to your e-commerce customers, now’s the time to implement such a security measure.
The way that two-factor authentication works is simple. When someone logs into a website, they must confirm their credentials by entering a code sent to their mobile phone, for example.

7. Enforce Regular Password Changes
The trouble with many Internet users is they tend to use the same passwords across different websites. After all, such a strategy means that their passwords are memorable, and they won’t need to remember a long list of them.
Suppose a cybercriminal gains control of a person’s online email account. In that case, they will try using the same email password across different platforms like e-commerce websites, social networks, and, of course, Internet banking websites.

8. Lock Your Domain Name
Last but not least, you should ensure that you “lock” your e-commerce website’s domain name whenever you make any changes to it. While it’s not a common thing to do, some cybercriminals can hijack unlocked domains and alter DNS and nameserver entries.
They can direct visitors to a copy of your site on their server but demand visitors re-enter passwords and payment card information. Another thing cybercriminals could do is hold the legitimate domain owner to ransom and demand money to release the domain back.

Source: http://www.smallbizviewpoints.com/2021/10/15/8-important-tips-to-keep-your-e-commerce-website-safe-and-secure