IT Data Security is Critical for Your Ecommerce Operations

Ecommerce transactions collect various streams of consumer data, making them targets for cyberattacks. As a result, ecommerce security, particularly when it comes to data is critical. Any data breach can harm a company’s brand, make consumers lose trust, and even result in costly damages. Personally identifiable information must be protected, and businesses have to ensure customer information is safe throughout the entire fulfillment process.

The challenge for logistics providers is that data goes through multiple systems, including the ecommerce website, order management, inventory management, warehouse management and transportation management systems. “In all of those areas, there are backups and redundancies,” said Rick Ross, corporate IT director for ITS Logistics.

The challenge for logistics providers is that data goes through multiple systems, including the ecommerce website, order management, inventory management, warehouse management and transportation management systems.

That means logistics providers must be diligent in their IT security procedures. Ross said ITS Logistics has several steps in place to protect data while also complying with a myriad of e-retailer requirements.

Protecting PII

Amazon defines personally identifiable information-called PII-as “information that can be used on its own or with other information to identify, contact, or locate an individual (e.g., Customer or Seller), or to identify an individual in context.” PII includes a buyer’s first and last name, email address, phone number and address and protecting this is critical for ecommerce security.

Consumers increasingly expect their information to be kept safe. Experian’s Global Identity and Fraud Report 2021 found that 60% of consumers have a higher expectation for their online experience than pre-pandemic, and 55% said security is a top priority. Additionally, consumers said they want businesses to do more when it comes to privacy and security. In the U.S., 59% of report respondents said they want businesses to implement strong, invisible measures to identify and fix any possible ecommerce security threat or security vulnerability. All of this means that customers expect and trust you to protect their personal information at all times.

60% of consumers have a higher expectation for their online experience than pre-pandemic, and 55% said security is a top priority.

When it comes to protecting PII, data encryption is used when it is moving through systems and while it is at rest to ensure it is secure and can’t be compromised, especially as it travels between internal and external systems. “Someone could compromise one of those companies and have a ‘man in the middle’ attack. They could sell information or use it to spoof fake orders or fraudulent transactions,” Ross said.

Amazon, for example, requires all PII information to be scrubbed from all systems and records 30 days after they are created. “We have to make sure all of that data is getting scrubbed and not being retained in any areas,” Ross said, adding that information temporarily stored on hard drives also has to be scrubbed. “We have systems continuously monitoring all data to ensure all of the personally identifiable information in it is scrubbed as soon as it hits the expiration date and time.”

“We have to make sure all of that data is getting scrubbed and not being retained in any areas,” Ross said, adding that information temporarily stored on hard drives also has to be scrubbed.

ITS Logistics utilizes an audit process to ensure and document that data is secure and scrubbed on schedule. “We contract with outside companies to audit all of our security practices and procedures, and we provide those results to show we’re staying compliant,” Ross said.

Choosing Supply Chain Partners who prioritize ecommerce security

Shippers must ensure they’re working with reputable supply chain partners that have the resources and expertise to protect customer data, implement ecommerce security procedures and comply with e-retailer requirements.

ITS Logistics’ in-house, full-support IT department offers extensive expertise in all of its warehouse, distribution and fulfillment services. Learn more about ITS Logistics’ privacy policy and how you can leverage technology in logistics and supply chain with ITS today.

Rick Ross, Corporate Director of IT

Kasia Wenker, Director of Supply Chain Solutions