We live in a digital business world where technology has significantly improved how companies operate. However, cyberattacks keep getting more frequent and more sophisticated, and this is not an issue to be taken lightly. Every business, large or small, holds sensitive data it doesn't want exposed, so proper security measures must be put in place.
ERP systems form the very heartbeat of every business enterprise. An ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system is process management software that enables a company to use integrated applications for business management and automation of back-office functions such as human resources, services, and technology. It's a shared central database that supports multiple tasks across different units of a business.
A lot could go wrong if hackers were to invade your ERP software. These systems carry highly sensitive information for an organization, such as financial planning, payroll, manufacturing formulas, treasury, inventory management, logistics, pricing, billing and hosting, credit cards and personal employee information, sales, customers and suppliers, and critical intellectual property.
With such crucial business operations supported by ERP systems, it's clear why nation-state actors, cybercriminals, and hacktivists keep targeting them. Every attack happens for a different reason: nation-state actors, for instance, often use their attacks to conduct espionage on organizations, while hacktivists and cybercriminals typically use ransomware for financial gain.
Any business that wants to survive in today's threat landscape needs stringent cybersecurity measures to protect its ERP software against attacks. No matter how well protected you are, cybercriminals keep getting smarter, and should they maneuver through your defenses, you need to be prepared to both detect and manage the situation. Every employee should be trained in safe practices to help prevent ERP attacks.
Tips to shield your ERP Systems from cyberattacks
- Train your employees
- Always Keep Your Software Updated
- Use Private Cloud Storage
- Have an incident and response plan in place
- Hire a resident ERP professional
1. Train your employees
Human error remains the leading cause of most cyberattacks. Cybercriminals use social engineering to exploit human weaknesses and trick people into falling into a trap. Even the most expensive security protocols would be futile if your employees aren't educated on safe practices to guard against looming cyberattacks.
To start with, employees need to understand the importance of using strong passwords. They should learn that obvious passwords, like birthdays or hometowns, are easy targets for hackers, and instead use long passwords with multiple character types. They should also be warned about the dangers of opening spam emails and clicking on suspicious links that could make them fall victim to phishing.
2. Always Keep Your Software Updated
ERP software providers like Oracle and SAP regularly provide their clients with software updates, patches, and bug fixes. Whenever a company releases a new software update, it often also reveals the vulnerabilities present in the previous version. Hackers are always on the lookout for such vulnerabilities once they become public, since many organizations delay implementing new updates in order to run internal tests first.
Always act quickly to install new updates to your ERP software. Likewise, make sure your firewalls, antivirus, and anti-malware software stay up to date so that all weak points are sealed. Known malware strains such as Dridex have evolved over time, with updated versions capable of stealing login credentials from SAP ERP software. This is why keeping all your software updated should remain a continuous priority.
3. Use Private Cloud Storage
Cloud storage remains a popular choice, but it can also offer an easy path in for cybercriminals targeting ERP systems, since multiple users from different locations access it. If you want to stay on the safe side, it's advisable to opt for a private cloud, as it minimizes points of entry for hackers. Although private clouds can be more costly, they are easier to monitor, allowing you to detect attacks in real time.
4. Have an incident and response plan in place
Just as well-prepared students are the most likely to pass an exam, preparation is similarly key when it comes to cyberattacks. Even if you keep all your software updated, train your employees, and use a private cloud, it's important to remember that a cyberattack can still happen. Have a monitoring system that identifies an attack instantly, along with a response strategy that can neutralize the threat and manage the crisis.
5. Hire a resident ERP professional
If you intend to keep your ERP software safe from cyberattacks, it's essential to hire a professional with expertise in ERP security who will continuously monitor your software and help ensure round-the-clock safety. Such a professional can also set up foolproof admin controls and configure encryption for remote employees.
SSL certificate and ERP Systems
Your company website reflects the nature of your business. Just as you take care of your appearance to make a good impression, you must take suitable measures to keep your business website safe and appealing to prospective customers. One of the best ways to keep your site secure is by getting a cheap SSL certificate from SSL2BUY. The vendor provides all types of SSL certificates, including single domain, multi-domain, and EV SSL.
If your business website is like a magnificent building, think of your ERP software as an essential wing inside that building. For that wing to be safe, the entire structure needs to be secure, which is where an SSL certificate comes into play. SSL encrypts all information flowing to and from your business website, helping ensure that sensitive data doesn't fall into the wrong hands.
Conclusion
As addressed in this article, ERP software forms the backbone of day-to-day business operations. If this system were compromised by a cyberattack, the repercussions could be far-reaching and damaging. Organizations, therefore, need to take safety precautions to help prevent this scenario, and to have a proper incident and response strategy in place should it ever occur.
If you are an ERP service provider, shopping cart integrations are of high importance for your system. However, building integrations with eCommerce platforms such as PrestaShop can be challenging, since each platform has its own peculiarities. A much better approach is to use a unified shopping cart data interface that allows you to connect to 80+ eCommerce platforms through a single API, including many of the popular eCommerce marketplace services merchants rely on today. Using API2Cart, your ERP system can sync inventory, collect orders, create shipments, and update order statuses across multiple sales channels. As more merchants explore running their stores with AI-driven tools, having secure, reliable integrations in place becomes even more important.
Schedule a call with our representative to learn more about how the service works and what other benefits your ERP system can get with API2Cart.
