#pos security

Data breach is a huge problem faced by companies who have all their data stores online. Modern POS systems are cloud-based and thus, the security of online systems like POS, is the hot topic nowadays. All around the world, companies suffer financial losses from employee theft and data breaches. Data breaches can expose a business to huge losses, making it possible for employees, managers, competitors and other hackers to steal at will. So, does this mean you should stop using a POS completely? No.

A POS Retail cloud based system, for example, performs tasks much more accurately and timely than any other human can at a retail store. The benefits a POS brings to a business are countless and cannot be overlooked because you have opted for a poor security POS system! Here are some measures you can take to ensure your data’s safety:

Employee Background Check: 

If you are vigilant and careful about conducting background checks on the employees you hire, you are less prone to security breaches from the employees. An employee with a trustworthy background rarely takes actions to harm the system intentionally. So, while it is important to have a POS with very few security vulnerabilities, it is also equally important to have trustworthy employees operating the said POS. 

Ineffective POS Security: 

An ineffective POS security can be a cause for data breaches as it is vulnerable to malicious attacks. Not only does a company suffer from financial losses, but the reputation of the company is also severely damaged as a result of a security breach. In the year 2019, nearly 8 billion records including credit card numbers, contact details and other sensitive information were exposed through data breaches. The payment information of the clients is very sensitive data and is often the target of POS hacks, therefore, you need to purchase a software that offers robust security; uses two-factor authentication method, encrypts data and takes other proven security measures. 

How Secure is your Point of Sale System? 

Looking at the above data, it is easy to see that every business that uses POS, suffers from POS software vulnerabilities. Thus, it is vital to make  POS security a top priority. This means that you need to update your existing system to the latest version that has strong security features. Here are the key security features a POS should offer you to protect your security: 

Alerts:

Your POS should allow you to configure it in such a way that as soon as an unwanted action, that you have defined, is performed, you get an immediate text or email alert. For example, if the cashier clicks on certain buttons, the owner might be notified about the series of keystrokes. 

POS Audit Logs: 

Many Points of Sale systems maintain audit logs that leave an electronic trail which provides additional safeguards for businesses. It is easy to pinpoint where the theft or breaches occur through audit logs. 

Compulsory Drawer Closing: 

The drawers at retail stores are a constant source of temptation to the employees working there and sometimes, they give in to the temptation. The POS security systems that offer the compulsory drawer closing feature limits employee cash theft. Before the next transaction can take place, the drawer needs to be closed. 

Security Camera Integration: 

PoSeidon Malware – the Solution Is to Take Credit Card Data AWAY from PoS Systems

Researchers with Cisco’s Talos Security Intelligence and Research Group have identified a new point-of-sale (POS) malware family – referred to as ‘PoSeidon’ – that takes steps to maintain persistence and also has mechanisms for updating. The new malware targets POS systems, scrapes the memory of infected machines for payment card information, and exfiltrates the data to servers – many of which…

There’s still much mystery surrounding the recent cyber heist in which tens of millions of credit card numbers were removed from a major retailer’s POS system, though we learn more almost every day. The always indispensable Krebs is a good starting point…