In today’s digital world, cybersecurity is more important than ever. Retailers rely on payments systems to process transactions, and if these systems are not secure, retailers are at risk of losing money. In addition, retailers often store sensitive customer information, such as credit card numbers and addresses. If this information is compromised, it could lead to identity theft and fraud. As a result, retailers must take steps to protect their payments systems and customer data from cyberattacks. Where does SASE come in?
Modern retailers’ expanding cyber security needs are creating challenges as the size and scope of required applications increases. Retailers live in an always-on environment, with many applications operating at all times and the costs of downtime or a data breach potentially crippling. Add to this a customer expectation of elements such as speedy processing of payments and available WiFi connections, which can lead retailers to utilize less secure public internet connections. Mike Wood explains in Security Magazine:
Retail is arguably one of the world’s most cybersecurity-dependent sectors, and the opportunities to integrate technology to improve service quality, realize affordability and enhance the user experience are wide open. The impact of network downtime or service disruption can result in significant financial and business losses. With so much at stake, the retail industry has no tolerance for network failure.
Wood explains that utilizing secure access service edge (SASE) can provide retailers with necessary protections while reducing the infrastructure and cost impacts:
Whether the retail organization decides to expand to new geographical locations by opening new branch offices or through acquisitions/mergers, cybersecurity leaders’ roles are critical in quickly onboarding new locations. SD-WAN’s centralized administration and console make it easy to integrate new services and locations while adjusting policies remotely for immediate results, without having to worry about the cost, resources and logistics associated with setting up a new cybersecurity infrastructure at a new location.
In addition to the financial cost, retailers also face the reputational cost of a data breach, which can damage their brand and reputation. As the threat of cyberattacks continues to grow, retailers must invest in strong cybersecurity measures to protect themselves, their customers, and their brand.
Overview by Jordan Hirschfield, Director of Research at Mercator Advisory Group
