Retailers are rapidly adopting workforce management solutions to engage their large and dispersed employee base. Employees can use these tools on a variety of devices, making them a convenient and direct mode of communication.
However, given the rise of cybersecurity threats around the world, the increased digital footprint of devices accessing your software and network creates more opportunities for cyberattacks.
To combat this, there are several cybersecurity solutions that can help retailers maintain security while managing remote, mobile and dispersed workers. Read on to learn about the best options for retailers hoping to improve their cybersecurity posture.
Identity-Based Security
Identity-based security is more than a rising buzzword; it’s among the most promising new security developments around. Solutions under this umbrella help automate the management of devices and users to prevent undesirable access to sensitive information and applications.
With identity-based security, your IT team can create identity-based groups and permissions for each group (for example, admins versus warehouse employees versus floor reps). The system can then identity the user based on their identity as well as their device’s IP address, assess their intent and permit or deny access based on the permissions set by system managers.
One of the top solutions, Cisco Identity Service Engine (ISE) automates device onboarding, providing context for the usage and identity of each and every user, device and application. It provides automated threat protection, and helps achieve compliance, and gives total visibility across network users.
With Cisco ISE, anyone using the network—including remote workers and employees on mobile devices—are subject to identity validation, preventing network abuse and cyberattacks.
Security Training
According to experts, employees are one of the most significant sources of cybersecurity incidents. In fact, human error accounts for 25% of all cybersecurity incidents.
Since much of cyberattacks take the form of social engineering, hackers ultimately rely on the unwitting participation of targets. This makes the ability to recognize attacks an enormously impactful skill for increasing a company’s overall cybersecurity posture.
And given the retail industry’s broad and vast employee base, cybersecurity training offers enormous benefits.
Studies have found that employees more aware of cybersecurity policies and procedures more competently handle cybersecurity tasks than unaware employees. What’s more, organizational culture and existing cybersecurity practices play a part as well, helping employees recognize threats and take necessary actions.
Look for cyber defense training that covers the following:
– Current major threats.
– Red flags that indicate an attack.
– Procedures to defend against such attacks.
– Creating and adhering to response plans.
Endpoint Management
Even with the best of protection, cyberattacks do occur.
Given the likelihood of an eventual cyberattack, many in the cybersecurity industry have turned towards another layer of protection: rapid incident response.
Since the fallout from the costliest cyberattacks can last months or even years, better detection and response to such entries has become a powerful tool for preventing attacks.
Endpoint management tools provide total visibility of all devices on a network—often in real time—and allow IT a birds-eye-view of these devices. Given the high volume of devices used by retailers, an endpoint management system can offer valuable protection for some of the most damaging attacks—whether they occur in storefronts or at corporate headquarters.
Network Security and SD-WAN
SD-WAN has been quickly growing in the IT world by offering a method of controlling networks via intuitive software. Through software, a shared network connection is established across a range of devices—compatible even for those using mobile data.
This central view and control of internet traffic forms a great basis for a wide range of comprehensive security solutions. These range from identity-based security technology to user grouping, automatic provisioning, intent-based networking and more.
Working with Retail Experts
The retail industry’s wide and dispersed ecosystem of employees and customers makes comprehensive cybersecurity coverage a necessity. Triden Group specializes in delivering managed IT solutions to retail companies.
Learn how Triden Group can help you navigate cybersecurity, network access and more on our security and managed services page.
Interested in how Triden Group can help you with security? Download our “Security Made Simple” Guide.
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