How SMBs Can Get the Upper Hand Against Cybercrime

by | Jul 9, 2019 | News | 0 comments

computer that's been hacked displaying a pirate flag

Businesses can use these five tips to keep hackers out and prevent data loss.

 

St. Louis, MO, July 9, 2019 — PlazSales, headquartered in Manchester, MO, provides point of sale systems (POS systems) that are compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS), designed to protect payment card data.

No business wants to be the victim of a cyberattack that leads to a data breach, especially when it puts consumer information is in jeopardy. Unfortunately, hackers continue to target merchants, finding new ways to access their systems. Earl Enterprises, the parent company of Buca di Beppo, reported in March that guests at the Kansas City location should check their credit card statements for unauthorized activity following a data breach. Darden Restaurants announced in August that federal officials notified the company that Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen locations in 23 states, including Missouri, could have been compromised in a cyberattack.

5 Cybersecurity Tips for SMBs

Merchants can include these tips to begin to build a strong cybersecurity strategy:

  1. Go on the Defense. Hackers target businesses of all sizes, looking for any vulnerability they can exploit to steal data. SMBs need to recognize they are a target and take action.
  2. Use a PCI-Compliant Point of Sale System. POS systems that conform to strict PCI standards block common attack strategies and keep hackers from stealing payment data. Although PCI compliance is no guarantee against cyberattack, Verizon has never found a confirmed case of a data breach at a merchant’s business that was 100-percent PCI DSS compliant in its 14 years of producing Data Breach Investigation Reports.
  3. Control Access. Your POS system can empower you to limit access only to authorized personnel, minimizing the risk that a hacker can trick an employee into revealing login credentials.
  4. Update Software. Updated operating systems and business applications have the latest security patches that correct vulnerabilities that hackers can exploit.
  5. Rely on Trusted Business Advisors. Most SMB merchants aren’t cybersecurity experts. It’s essential to form partnerships with professionals that can keep them informed of risks and put the right solutions in place to minimize it.

 

For more information, SMB merchants can meet with PlazSales’ team, knowledgeable and experienced in PCI-compliant POS systems, networking and security best practices at PlazSales upcoming grand re-opening on August 31, 2019.

About PlazSales

Established in 2008, PlazSales is a secure, paperless business solution that combines point of sale (POS), accounting, payroll, purchasing, and customer and ticket management to help merchants maximize productivity, sales, profitability, and customer relationships. The PlazSales system tracks rewards programs, inventory, and workflows, as well as helping merchants to save hundreds of dollars per month in payment processing fees. The Windows-based system is backed by 24/7 support. For more information, contact Jeff Minnis at 636-256-7901 or [email protected], or visit https://plazsales.com.

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CONTACT

Jeff Minnis
(636) 256-7901
[email protected]

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