Online security is one of the biggest concerns for ecommerce stores. This is why every ecommerce business should make additional efforts to ensure that their websites, data stores, and clients' data remain as guarded as possible to enhance the customer experience in retail.
\nAccording to a report, more than 90% of online small businesses face a data breach. Hence when you get your ecommerce store up and running, creating security authentication for ecommerce should never be a one-time task.
\nGiven below are some measures for protecting an E-Commerce business by generating a strong customer authentication:
\nHTTPS has become the industry standard for online security, and sites that continue employing the traditional HTTP protocol may suffer adverse repercussions and threats to their online safety. Also, earlier businesses used HTTPS only for their payment gateways that dealt with confidential information.
\nHowever, given the rising password security issues in modern times, ecommerce store owners are shifting their entire site with HTTPS. It ensures that not only their payment areas but also every other page on their website remain secure.
\nMoreover, site security entails more than just safeguarding payment information as it likewise entails protecting the data of your customers.
\nTo keep your E-Commerce store guarded against all the online threats and vulnerabilities, ensure that you never save credit card data online. As E-Commerce payments get processed through external vendors, it can sometimes pose a substantial threat to the credit card data of your company and clients.
\nPlugins are a gift to E-Commerce dealers everywhere who run their websites on platforms that allow it. Wordfence Security, for example, is a plugin that blends E-commerce stores into a robust security system that is compatible with the web application firewall.
\nThis plugin not only prevents your website from being hacked but also gives you a real-time view of your traffic and all possible hacking attempts.
\nAlthough you inevitably should maintain your customers' information secure on the tail end, there are still serious risks of specific customer accounts getting hacked.
\nWhile you cannot stand over your clients' head and instruct them on ways to build a secure account, you can impose standard safety characteristics such as CIAM authentication or robust password prerequisites to guard your clients' online data.
\nThere are several ways for hackers to access your eCommerce site, but perhaps the simplest is to gain access to your Admin Side. It only takes one simple- password for hackers to begin poking around your admin panel, finding the information they seek—and even locking you out of your site.
\nToo many site owners leave their admin dashboard login details as simple as \"admin\" for the username and \"password\" for the passcode, only to be surprised when someone gains access to their admin panel. When eCommerce sites get set up, the predefined username is Admin, and many vendors are so engrossed in the whirlwind of starting work that they never change it.
\nIt is never a good feeling to discover that your eCommerce store website got hacked and your personal information has been adversely affected. It's unnerving to know that someone has been poking around your webpage, and it is even more disconcerting that you don't know what they have done.
\nAttackers can do anything from simply copying your data to more maliciously corrupting it and making sure you can't use it again.
\n\nProactive security inspection (PCI) helps you detect problems before they cost you clients and resources. Regardless of how well-known your eCommerce website host is, you should conduct routine PCI scans. These scans recognise perils and vulnerabilities that could leave your eCommerce store open to data breaches and the shot of malware and viruses.
\nSite confidentiality is not a passive activity, and you must routinely inspect your eCommerce store to detect any unusual activity. Sure, you can automate certain aspects of your site's safety, such as programmed backups and routers, but there's a lot more to security trust that you must remain aware of.
\nGone are the times when online security remained confined to only one factor of user authentication for ecommerce. Nowadays, it has become crucial for all E-Commerce businesses to switch to multi-factor authentication to ensure you leave no room for hackers to attack your website.
\nApart from taking care of your E-Commerce store, it is imperative to secure your private online data. It is because if imposters fail to find your online site, they might attempt to invade your privacy and confidential data.
\nKeeping your E-Commerce store guarded against online malpractices is not a tedious task if you follow the safety measures. Also, keep in mind the points above and keep your business and customer data protected against breaches.
\n\n","frontmatter":{"date":"October 12, 2021","updated_date":null,"description":"Nobody's perfect, but your eCommerce store can be (to quite an extent). With these ten security measures in place, you'll sleep easier knowing that your business is protected.","title":"10 Ways To Improve Your eCommerce Store's Security","tags":["retail","mfa","cx","ciam authentication"],"pinned":null,"coverImage":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.7857142857142858,"src":"/static/4450787a8a8772c2d64428b789dd4349/14b42/improve-ecommerce-store-security-cover.jpg","srcSet":"/static/4450787a8a8772c2d64428b789dd4349/f836f/improve-ecommerce-store-security-cover.jpg 200w,\n/static/4450787a8a8772c2d64428b789dd4349/2244e/improve-ecommerce-store-security-cover.jpg 400w,\n/static/4450787a8a8772c2d64428b789dd4349/14b42/improve-ecommerce-store-security-cover.jpg 800w,\n/static/4450787a8a8772c2d64428b789dd4349/16310/improve-ecommerce-store-security-cover.jpg 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}},"author":{"id":"Rashmi Mathur","github":null,"avatar":null}}}},{"node":{"excerpt":"For many years, the role of a CISO was a pretty lonely one. Since cybersecurity was seen as an arcane, obtuse subject, other executives were…","fields":{"slug":"/growth/how-ciso-can-improve-collaboration-on-security-risks/"},"html":"For many years, the role of a CISO was a pretty lonely one. Since cybersecurity was seen as an arcane, obtuse subject, other executives were largely content to leave responsibility for it up to a dedicated member of the executive team. Now, this approach is changing.
\nThere are a number of good reasons for this. Though most CISOs have built sophisticated systems to respond to security threats, the changing threat landscape means that threats are now appearing at almost every endpoint across an organization. This means that teams previously regarded as fairly well protected against attacks – think marketing and customer service teams – are becoming a popular and lucrative target for hackers.
\nIn this new environment, CISOs need to foreground collaboration. It’s only by working with colleagues throughout your organization that you can hope to respond to these multivalent threats.
\nIn this article, we’ll go a little further, and turn his recommendations into actionable steps.
\nFirst, a word about the value of collaboration, and its limitations. It’s now well established that intelligent collaboration within an organization can help to improve cyber security. Even a process as simple as offering training to staff outside the IT department can dramatically improve cyber resilience, for instance, as can sharing risk identification systems across departments.
\nHowever, the structure of many organizations makes it easy for this collaboration to backfire. Specifically, it is possible for teams to share so many systems, and so much information, critical systems are left exposed. This can happen not just within an organization, but also with its B2B partners, whose systems are now typically integrated with those of suppliers and customers.
\nIn other words, collaboration can be a powerful defensive technique, but only if it is used carefully, and within a structured framework. Here’s how to do that.
\nOne crucial consideration when looking to integrate the role of a CISO into your broader organization is when to start the collaborative process. It’s not practical to appraise every executive of every upcoming IT initiative, but too often these initiatives are not mentioned to leaders until it is too late to mitigate their business risks.
\nThis is why Federal Reserve CISO Devon Bryan told the Management Information Systems Training Institute (MISTI) that today’s security leaders need to “prioritize partnerships with business units” immediately. By doing so, CISOs can start to build a cooperative environment in the boardroom and make sure that business leaders understand how new technologies will affect their areas of expertise.
\nThe basis of effective collaboration is communication, and the basis of effective communication is making sure that everyone is working with the same definitions. This can be approached in a formal way – building a shared taxonomy using definitions from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
\nAlternatively, it can be approached in a more ad-hoc fashion, in which a CISO takes care to explain cybersecurity terms to their colleagues, and in turn, makes sure they understand the nomenclature of business operations.
\nIf done correctly, this process is also an important part of building a cybersecurity culture within your organization. If everyone knows how to refer to cybersecurity risks, they are better able to communicate about them.
\nTo take collaboration one step further, CISOs can even consider building a shared set of metrics that can be used across an organization. These metrics should be developed in consultation with other executives so that their relevance to broader business priorities is clear. In fact, if done carefully, this process can be a powerful tool that allows CISOs to explain the relevance and monetary value of their work to the other members of the C suite.
\nThat said, CISOs should also take care not to burden themselves with complex KPIs. The metrics used to measure cybersecurity at an executive level do not need to be the same as those that are used internally within the cybersecurity team. Care should be taken to ensure that they are relatively easy to measure, understand, and track.
\nEffective CISOs are those that encourage their team to share their skills with the broader organization. Sharing skills can either be done in an informal way – by making sure there is a member of the security team on teams charged with developing new products, for example. But skill sharing can also be formalized, through designing a training process for staff outside your team to get up to speed on how to protect their own teams from security threats.
\nFinally, make sure you are using the technology available to you in order to share information and insight across all the teams in your organization. A comprehensive security incident and event management (SIEM) can greatly improve network visibility, but also allow you to share real-time, actionable insights with teams that may be opening themselves up to attack.
\n\nAnd, over time, it’s possible to leverage the power of big data to pull the insights drawn from your SIEM into a holistic picture of cybersecurity across your organization. By tracking the types of threats that you are exposed to, and their relative success, you can begin to plan a cybersecurity strategy that reduces your future vulnerability.
\nUltimately, collaboration is a necessary part of the contemporary business environment. The days when CISOs worked within a hermetically sealed team are long gone – today, CISOs must be as engaged with business processes and risks as any other member of the C suite.
\nBuilding collaborative ways of working is not a quick process, but it can be done. And just as we’ve seen the evolutionary development of cyber security over the past few years, now we are witnessing the evolution of the business environment itself.
\n\n","frontmatter":{"date":"September 27, 2021","updated_date":null,"description":"It no longer makes sense to think of security as a single system, because there are so many different layers, and so many different points of entry. This blog explains how CISOs can respond to these multivalent threats across an organization.","title":"How CISOs Can Improve Collaboration on Security Risks","tags":["data security","cybersecurity","cx"],"pinned":null,"coverImage":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.5151515151515151,"src":"/static/d49f67666953e0fcf57812e8cca2710c/14b42/ciso-cover-image.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d49f67666953e0fcf57812e8cca2710c/f836f/ciso-cover-image.jpg 200w,\n/static/d49f67666953e0fcf57812e8cca2710c/2244e/ciso-cover-image.jpg 400w,\n/static/d49f67666953e0fcf57812e8cca2710c/14b42/ciso-cover-image.jpg 800w,\n/static/d49f67666953e0fcf57812e8cca2710c/16310/ciso-cover-image.jpg 1024w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}},"author":{"id":"Shivangini Yadav","github":null,"avatar":null}}}},{"node":{"excerpt":"Excellent customer experiences motivate people to become regular consumers. The main goal of any company is to put itself in the customer’s…","fields":{"slug":"/growth/how-to-improve-the-customer-xperience/"},"html":"Excellent customer experiences motivate people to become regular consumers. The main goal of any company is to put itself in the customer’s shoes. An improved user experience brings more leads that will convert into clients and the opportunity to increase your customer base.
\nNote that your perfect customer experience depends on numerous factors. These are positive feedback, brand awareness, a good reputation, the SEO-friendliness of your website, and many more.
\nAccording to a Business2Community survey, customer experience (CX) should be improved for three core reasons:
\nAdditionally, your company will be able to generate more revenue via customer acquisition by renewing and upselling to your standing customers.
\nBefore exploring the latest tips for improving customer experience, let’s check the evolution of consumer demands and the CX trends of previous years.
\n2017
\nZendesk found that about 88% of consumers always share their bad experiences with other people, while 87% of satisfied customers shared recommendations on ecommerce companies that provided an excellent experience.
\n2018
\nAccording to a Gartner survey, the focus on CX was predicted for 2019. Three hundred respondents proved that user experience matters and are willing to interact with a company if they were delighted with their first experience.
\n2019
\nAccenture found that about 86% of companies are searching for alternative ways to improve their CX because traditional experiences no longer bring high customer satisfaction.
\n2020
\nAccording to Gartner's research, about 35% of companies optimized the customer journey and focused on their omnichannel experiences. The survey report also includes the latest statistics on modern consumers: more than 25% of present-day customers get used to virtual assistants and prefer online interactions through chatbots.
\n2021 is the year of new trends in the context of customer experience. Marketers, SEO specialists, and business representatives should take into account the latest statistics provided by Zendesk:
\nIf you are interested in the best practices that will come in handy for improving CX, read these expert tips and improve client impressions when interacting with them.
\nIf you still have not digitized your business, it is time to do it right now. Start with your website and social media network accounts. Your site should be mobile-friendly because about 70% of global traffic is generated via mobile device screens.
\nYour task is to initiate the mouth-to-mouth recommendation cycle. For this purpose, you need to know who your customers are and improve their loyalty to your company, its goods, and services. First, you need to put yourself in the consumer’s shoes. Think like the client who would like to interact with your company. Then, it is necessary to use any CRM tool to analyze your customer data and accurately determine the client’s profile and purchasing behavior.
\nFor improved customer loyalty with a guaranteed individual approach, you can split your consumers into several groups. It is a CX-driven idea because your target audience can have various needs and require diversified products. For example, the all-in-one SEO platform Seranking provides a personal touch by segmenting its customers. Customers are divided into four groups and offered a special-purpose pack of SEO services:
\nThe main idea of the multichannel approach is to provide many customer service channels that are not linked to each other. It means that social media networks, websites, online shops, and call centers are not synchronized. But omnichannel CX infers that all these multiple channels are connected.
\nTo strengthen the omnichannel customer experience, tie in a CX-driven combination of all your strategies and approaches in the context of:
\nA good example of omnichannel CX is the pharmaceutical brand Walgreens. Brand communication takes place via a mobile-friendly app. The shopping experience is improved with the help of convenient digital features such as refilling prescriptions virtually, setting up reminders and notifications. The app saves customers time because they do not need to visit the pharmacy to get medications.
\nSimplified interactions and virtual communication is in high demand today and are highly appreciated by consumers and increases Walgreens’ customer retention.
\nThe customer journey is a full cycle that takes place from the first interaction of your consumer up to the final experience. To ensure that you have provided your clients with high-level loyalty, the customer journey should be smooth without pitfalls and challenges. Nevertheless, according to an Econsultancy report, about 50% of companies still have no idea what the customer journey is. The lifecycle consists of the following stages:
\nTo optimize your customer journey, you need to map out each step and the processes associated with them. Here is a list of ways for full-cycle optimization:
\nPhase
\nCompany’s Touchpoints
\nOut-of-the-market
\nTrigger
\nEvaluation
\nDecision-making
\nExperience
\nLoyalty
\nFinish with a gap analysis to fix all the challenging phases. If your customer cycle is well-thought-out, you will not lose potential consumers. All generated traffic will be converted into new clients and sales.
\nThe rule of a great CX-driven online community is the desire for your loyal customers to promote your company and its services. Engage people to join your Internet club of like-minded people, offer them goodies like bonuses and referral points, and force them to share your brand through different online channels.
\nFor example, Inkbox consists of a community with millions (2 million) of followers. This company makes it a priority of tattooing and shares all completed work on the Internet. The community was created around the popular Instagram hashtag #tattoosfornow. People throughout the world shared beautiful photos with tattoos and grew the community.
\nAccording to Harvard Business Review, online users appreciate a high personalized marketing experience. It does not relate only to personalized email letters and promotions sent via messengers and SMS. You can improve your CX with personalized content on your website. For example, you can add some special features that correspond to your niche and increase the number of leads this way.
\nSpotify decided to launch the option “Discover Weekly” for this purpose. A personalized playlist is generated according to the listener’s preferences. Some users like this option, while some Spotify fans dislike it. Nevertheless, this is a way to promote a personalized approach and show each customer your meaningful marketing strategy.
\nHaving implemented tech solutions to protect client accounts, your company strengthens its brand awareness, improves reputation and loyalty. Usually, the most challenging aspects for customers are the security of personal data and online payments. Your task in the context of CX improvement is to maintain privacy and guarantee safe transactions.
\nYour CX strategy should meet customer requirements and your business goals. Customer experience is a proven way to develop high retention, cross-sales, and up-sales. If people decide to come back and recommend your products, this is a good sign for your company. An improved user experience benefits SEO, brand awareness, and generally the online presence of your business. 2021 requires marketers, entrepreneurs, and SEO specialists to demonstrate an omnichannel CX approach with comprehensive security, reviews, and customer journey strategies.
\n\n","frontmatter":{"date":"September 22, 2021","updated_date":null,"description":"If you are interested in the best practices that will come in handy for improving customer experience, read these expert tips and improve client impressions when interacting with them.","title":"7 Expert Tips on How to Improve the Customer Experience","tags":null,"pinned":null,"coverImage":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"aspectRatio":1.6666666666666667,"src":"/static/d60c3bff962767b0af0a7ff5eefb7caf/eec3f/consumer-exp-cover-page.jpg","srcSet":"/static/d60c3bff962767b0af0a7ff5eefb7caf/f836f/consumer-exp-cover-page.jpg 200w,\n/static/d60c3bff962767b0af0a7ff5eefb7caf/2244e/consumer-exp-cover-page.jpg 400w,\n/static/d60c3bff962767b0af0a7ff5eefb7caf/eec3f/consumer-exp-cover-page.jpg 612w","sizes":"(max-width: 612px) 100vw, 612px"}}},"author":{"id":"Alyse Falk","github":null,"avatar":null}}}},{"node":{"excerpt":"Over the past two years, the retail industry has changed to such an extent that it is no longer recognizable. This is primarily because a…","fields":{"slug":"/growth/how-ciam-can-resolve-retail-industry-challenges/"},"html":"Over the past two years, the retail industry has changed to such an extent that it is no longer recognizable. This is primarily because a major portion of the revenue that retail businesses are bringing in happens through online sales. This dependency on online platforms can be a problem for retailers, especially when it comes to access management. Fortunately, there’s a solution—Consumer Identity and Access Management (CIAM).
\nCIAM is generally deployed on a platform in two ways, either as a service or embedded into applications or websites through APIs, so it carries out identity and access management for users. Typically, CIAM authentication involves identity management tools like logins, authentication, and compliance.
\nThe modern retail industry has several challenges that can be solved by deploying a CIAM solution. These problems include a need for:
\nCustomers always expect a seamless experience on an e-commerce platform. This experience is facilitated by the fact that the online store should have more or less the same products as that of the offline store. The other aspect involves the wish to have an easily accessible customer profile by integrating the customer data collected from all integration points, both online as well as offline.
\nOne of the more challenging aspects that enterprises face when extending their business online is visiting both online and offline stores. This means that both stores have to deliver the customer’s needs and engage them irrespective of which channel they plan on making the purchase.
\nMarketing in the modern retail industry occurs on various platforms. It can take place through SMS, email, social media, and more. Therefore, there is a chance that data silos will appear because the marketing efforts are spread out across so many channels.
\nIt has been established that an effective marketing strategy involves the use of technology for data collection and analysis. However, the challenge that enterprises face is finding a solution that can manage such vast volumes of customer information and create a cohesive picture.
\nAnother challenging aspect that online platforms face is the problem of personalization. Personalization, if executed properly, can urge the customer to make several purchases at a time and keep them coming back for more. In other words, it can improve the loyalty of the customer. However, this requires the platform to get to know the customer and their wants and needs, which is difficult.
\nCIAM solutions will delve deeper into customer data, allowing retailers to create highly personalized shopping experiences. By understanding customer preferences and behavior across various touchpoints, retailers can tailor promotions and product recommendations, fostering greater customer loyalty. With cyber threats on the rise, CIAM solutions will continue to prioritize robust security features. Multi-factor authentication, biometric verification, and adaptive access controls will become standard, ensuring customer data remains secure and protected from breaches. The retail landscape is embracing innovations such as Internet of Things (IoT) and Artificial Intelligence (AI). CIAM solutions will integrate seamlessly with these technologies, enabling retailers to gather real-time insights and deliver more context-aware customer experiences. As customers expect a unified experience across online and offline channels, CIAM will facilitate seamless omni-channel journeys. Customers will enjoy consistent interactions, whether browsing a website, visiting a physical store, or engaging through social media platforms. CIAM solutions will be designed to scale effortlessly, accommodating the ever-growing user base of retail platforms. Whether a retailer serves hundreds or millions of customers, CIAM will ensure smooth operations without compromising performance. In conclusion, the retail industry faces a multitude of challenges in the digital age, from data silos to the need for enhanced customer loyalty. However, CIAM solutions offer a promising way forward, providing various benefits that can transform how retailers engage with their customers. By leveraging CIAM, retailers can streamline access management, secure customer data, and deliver personalized experiences that drive sales and loyalty. As the CIAM market continues to expand and innovate, retail businesses have an opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. Incorporating CIAM solutions into e-commerce platforms is not just a trend; it's becoming a necessity for success. As the retail industry evolves, CIAM will remain a critical tool for enhancing the overall customer experience, boosting marketing efforts, and navigating the challenges of the modern retail landscape. 1. What problem does CIAM solve? CIAM solves challenges in access management, unifying customer data, and enhancing customer loyalty through personalized experiences. 2. What are the best practices of CIAM? Best practices include multi-factor authentication, centralized data management, seamless omni-channel integration, and scalability for growing user bases. 3. What are the 3 most critical issues in retailing and why? The critical issues in retailing are fluid platform experience for seamless customer journeys, integration of online and offline channels for omni-channel purchasing, and the challenge of data silos hindering marketing efforts. 4. What are the challenges of retail marketing? Retail marketing faces challenges such as reaching customers across multiple platforms, managing data silos, and the need for personalized strategies to enhance customer loyalty. Digital communication between clients and a company is now a regular practice across various industries. Businesses capitalize on these synergies to stimulate repeated sales or client reliability. Also, companies collect customer information to better interact with the clients and keep a record of sales. The data gathered in databases can be vulnerable to cyber attacks that result in stolen customer and business identities. Hence, businesses look to increase their cybersecurity with the help of SaaS-based CIAM business solutions. Digital communication between clients and a company is now a regular practice across various industries. Businesses capitalize on these synergies to stimulate repeated sales or client reliability. Also, companies collect customer information to better interact with the clients and keep a record of sales. The data gathered in databases can be vulnerable to cyber attacks that result in stolen customer and business identities. Hence, businesses look to increase their cybersecurity with the help of SaaS-based CIAM business solutions. In today's digital world, the demand for robust identity proofing solutions is greater than ever. As businesses strive to protect their systems from increasing cyber threats while maintaining a seamless customer experience, orchestration has emerged as a powerful tool. By integrating comprehensive identity proofing solutions through orchestration, companies can enhance security, improve compliance, and deliver a smoother user experience. Let’s understand the aspects of comprehensive identity-proofing solutions. With the rise of digital interactions, businesses face significant challenges in verifying the identities of users, customers, and employees. Cybercrime is rising, and organizations must protect sensitive information and prevent unauthorized access. This has made identity proofing an essential component of modern business operations. Traditional identity verification methods, such as passwords and security questions, are no longer sufficient to combat sophisticated attacks. Businesses must adopt more advanced techniques that leverage biometric data, machine learning, and real-time analysis to ensure accurate and reliable identity verification. Orchestration in identity proofing involves integrating various verification tools and processes into a single, cohesive platform. This approach allows businesses to automate and streamline identity verification tasks, making them more efficient and effective. By utilizing orchestration, companies can: Comprehensive identity proofing solutions offer advanced security features that help businesses protect their digital assets and user data. By leveraging multiple verification methods, organizations can create a robust defense against identity theft and fraud. Orchestration allows these security measures to be applied consistently and automatically, reducing the risk of human error. Businesses must navigate a complex landscape of data protection and privacy regulations, such as GDPR, CCPA, and PSD2. Comprehensive identity proofing solutions help companies stay compliant by integrating regulatory checks into their workflows. Orchestration ensures that these checks are performed consistently and accurately, minimizing the risk of non-compliance and associated penalties. A streamlined and efficient identity verification process is crucial for providing a positive customer experience. With orchestration, businesses can reduce the time and effort required for users to prove their identities, leading to higher satisfaction and loyalty. Automated processes also minimize the risk of false positives, ensuring unnecessary security hurdles do not inconvenience legitimate users.1. Enhanced Personalization
\n2. Advanced Security Measures
\n3. Integration with Emerging Technologies
\n4. Omni-Channel Optimization
\n5. Scalability and Flexibility
\nConclusion
\nFAQs
\nIntroduction
\nThe Growing Need for Identity Proofing
\nWhat is Orchestration in Identity Proofing?
\n\n
\nBenefits of Comprehensive Identity Proofing Solutions
\n1. Enhanced Security
\n2. Regulatory Compliance
\n3. Improved Customer Experience
\n