This is part two in a two-part series. You can read part one here.

In part one of this two-part series, we discussed the importance of cybersecurity, even if your eCommerce business is still small. In part two, we’ll look at some ways that you can defend yourself and your customers against this threat.

Cybercrime is still on the rise, with 4.2 billion records exposed in 2016, according to security firm Risk Based Security. Attendees of the annual Black Hat cybersecurity conference say that 72 percent expect that their organizations will have to deal with a cybersecurity breach this year. This is not small potatoes, but you don’t have to be vulnerable.

Cybersecurity for Small to Mid-Sized eCommerce

Even a small eCommerce business like yours can be protected from cyber crimes without spending a fortune. Some of the most basic fixes are free, so don’t fear having to foot a giant bill to cover your data.

We put together some tips to get you started:

  • Use strong passwords everywhere. You’d be surprised how many breaches start with an internet-connected device that has access to your system. Make sure you password protect your cameras, Wi-Fi printers and other weakly protected devices on your network to keep hackers from finding a backdoor into your data vault.
  • Update your software. Even when your hardware is well-protected with a good password, you may still experience a breach if your software is out of date. Although those pop-up notifications are annoying, they’re in the best interest of your eCommerce business.Always update as soon as possible, even if you need to manually ask the updater software to search for new updates. It’s a good habit to check weekly, since updates can come rapid fire in the face of new attacks.
  • Install an SSL certificate. A secure sockets layer certificate creates an encrypted session between your site and the web browser that’s visiting. Shoppers feel more secure knowing you’re offering an SSL and you actually are a great deal more secure, provided it covers every page that uses customer data. You may also experience a slight bump in your search engine rankings by providing a safer page for your visitors, just make sure your SSL extends to your mobile pages, too.

With a more secure site to browse and collect their payments, customers are going to be much more willing to trust you with their data. That means more eCommerce order fulfillment and even more business growth for you. Think of cybersecurity as a way to grow your business, not as yet another cost, and you’ll quickly realize the potential.