Security and Bot Management is Crucial for eCommerce During Back-to-School Sales

For eCommerce companies targeting the increasing number of parents shopping for back-to-school supplies, having strong online security measures is essential. With the continued rise of online shopping, the sophistication of cyber threats is also increasing. Hackers and malicious bots can exploit vulnerabilities in eCommerce platforms, leading to data breaches that compromise sensitive customer information, including credit card details and personal identification. This not only results in financial losses for customers but also severely damages the trust and reputation of the online retailer. Implementing robust security protocols, such as encryption, multi-factor authentication, and regular security audits, helps protect customer data and ensures a secure shopping environment, fostering trust and encouraging repeat business.

Furthermore, proper online security measures protect the eCommerce platform from disruptions that can impact sales. For instance, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks can overwhelm a website with traffic, causing it to slow down or crash entirely. During high-demand periods like back-to-school shopping, downtime can lead to significant revenue losses and drive customers to competitors. By investing in effective security solutions, eCommerce companies can maintain the availability and performance of their websites, ensuring that shoppers have a seamless and reliable shopping experience.

As an industry, eCommerce should prioritize bot management, especially during high-traffic periods like back-to-school sales, as bots can significantly impact both the user experience and the company's bottom line. Bots can strain website performance by generating excessive traffic, which can slow down or even crash the site. This is particularly detrimental during back-to-school sales when customer demand peaks, and the competition for attention is fierce. A slow or inaccessible website can drive potential customers to competitors, resulting in lost revenue opportunities. By effectively managing bots, eCommerce businesses can ensure a smoother, more reliable shopping experience for their customers, protecting their sales and maintaining a positive brand image during critical sales events.

Moreover, bots can manipulate inventory by purchasing popular items in bulk, only to resell them at higher prices on secondary markets. This practice not only frustrates genuine customers who miss out on desired products but also tarnishes the brand's reputation. When legitimate buyers cannot purchase the items they need, it diminishes customer satisfaction and loyalty, potentially leading to a loss of future sales.

Web Application Firewall (WAF) will soon be a requirement

The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) is an important framework for securing payment card information. It is crucial for all entities involved in payment card acceptance or processing. It covers the entire lifecycle of payment card information, from data entry to storage and transmission.

In 2022, the PCI Security Standards Council announced Version 4.0 with new requirements. One new requirement (6.4.2) mandates that organizations handling online payments adopt technology to enhance their application security. By March 25, 2025, all organizations complying with PCI DSS must have a functioning Web Application Firewall (WAF) for their public-facing web applications to detect and prevent attacks.

While many organizations may already fully comply with this requirement, it will likely necessitate changes for others, whether in terms of budget or workflow. We strongly recommend that companies seeking to add or upgrade their security infrastructure look beyond traditional WAFs. Legacy WAFs are known to block legitimate traffic, disrupt applications, and negatively impact the organization's financial performance and reputation. Additionally, they can be difficult to manage and fine-tune and may require dedicated personnel for administration.

Peak traffic - other considerations

Accurate and up-to-date inventory management is another crucial aspect of a successful eCommerce operation, especially during peak shopping. Parents shopping for back-to-school supplies depend on the availability of specific items, and nothing disappoints customers more than finding out that a product is out of stock after adding it to their cart. Inventory data that can be presented but, just as important, invalidated in real-time prevent such disappointments by providing customers with precise information about product availability. This not only enhances customer satisfaction but also helps manage demand and supply more effectively, reducing the risk of overstocking or stockouts. Ensuring inventory data is current and visible can significantly improve the shopping experience, build customer trust, and drive sales during critical periods.

Upgrade your online security for great user experiences

As eCommerce companies prepare for the back-to-school sales surge, they must prioritize robust online security and effective bot management. The increasing sophistication of cyber threats requires the implementation of comprehensive security protocols to safeguard sensitive customer information and maintain trust. Additionally, the ability to mitigate the impact of malicious bots and ensure accurate, real-time inventory management is essential for providing a seamless shopping experience. By investing in advanced security measures and staying up to date with industry standards like PCI DSS, eCommerce businesses can protect their platforms from disruptions, improve customer satisfaction, and secure their market position during peak shopping periods.

Originally published on RH-ISAC