Understanding Your Risk - Don’t Give Hackers Easy Access to Your Systems

By Lynn Skurla Perkins | May 3, 2019 1:05:15 PM | PCI, POS Anchorage, PCI Security Council, Trusted Business Partner, card data, hackers

    

Here is the next in the series from the PCI Council's -  How to Protect Your Business With These Security Basics.

Security risks are everywhere these days - everyone up and down the chain is affected.  At Skurla's Point of Sale Solutions, we take security very seriously - and wanted to share some resources from the PCI Security Council.  

This month's topic:  Understanding Your Risk - Don’t Give Hackers Easy Access to Your Systems.

To quote the PCI Council:  Hackers = Criminals

(Click here to read about our Data Security Breach Action Plan)

Hacker programing in technology environment with cyber icons and symbols

"One of the easiest ways for hackers to get into your system is through people you trust. You need to know how your vendors are accessing your system to make sure it’s not opening up any holes for hackers. "

Here is a list of recommendations from the Council:

FIND OUT. Ask your payment system vendor or service provider if they use remote access to support or access your business.

ASK HOW TO LIMIT USE OF REMOTE ACCESS. Many remote access programs are always on by default. Reduce your risk – ask your vendor how to disable remote access when not needed, and how to enable it when your vendor or service provider specifically requests it.

DISABLE IT WHEN DONE. USE STRONG AUTHENTICATION. If you must allow remote access, require multi-factor authentication and strong cryptography.

ENSURE SERVICE PROVIDERS USE UNIQUE CREDENTIALS. Each one must use remote access credentials that are unique to your business and that are not the same ones used for other customers.

ASK FOR HELP. Ask your vendor or service provider for help disabling remote access, or (if your vendor or service provider needs remote access) for help setting up multi-factor authentication. See Questions to ask your Vendors to help you know exactly what to ask them.

Click here to download your copy of the guide.

For more information on this topic or other point of sale and payment concerns, call us at 907-243-2683.  Or fill out the form below and one of our representatives will contact you.

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About The Author

Lynn literally grew up in the point of sale and cash register industry – and is now at the helm of the family business. She enjoys working with local Alaskan businesses, especially restaurants, grocery stores, and retail operations - helping them control costs and increase revenues through well managed point of sale solutions. Besides running the company, Lynn has also served on the Board of Directors, and as Chairman of the Board, for the Retail Solutions Provider Association.