Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the most anticipated shopping days, with millions of customers flocking online and in-store for deals. These high-traffic days offer significant sales opportunities, but they also attract cybercriminals aiming to exploit the increase in online activity.

Cyber threats spike around these shopping events, and if your business isn’t prepared, you could be at risk for data breaches, phishing scams, and financial loss.

To help you stay secure, we’ve put together essential cybersecurity tips to protect your business from Black Friday through Cyber Monday. With a proactive approach, you can safeguard customer data, secure transactions, and strengthen your brand’s reputation.

In this blog:

• Bolster Your Website’s Security for High-Traffic Days
• Secure Your Payment Processing Systems
• Educate and Alert Your Employees on Phishing and Fraud
• Monitor for Fraud and Suspicious Activity in Real-Time
• Enhance Customer Authentication to Reduce Account Takeovers
• Have a Black Friday and Cyber Monday Incident Response Plan
• Stay Secure for a Successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday
• Need Help Securing Your Business for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

1. Bolster Your Website’s Security for High-Traffic Days

Your website may experience a surge in traffic over Black Friday and Cyber Monday, making it a prime target for attacks. By enhancing your website’s security, you’ll protect both your business and your customers.

Action Steps:

• Use HTTPS Everywhere: Ensure your entire website is secured with HTTPS, which encrypts data transmitted between the user’s browser and your website. Implement HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS) to enforce secure connections, and regularly update your SSL/TLS certificates.
• Keep Software Up to Date: Regularly update your website’s content management system (CMS), plugins, themes, and server software to patch known vulnerabilities.
• Deploy a Web Application Firewall (WAF): A WAF helps block suspicious traffic and defends against attacks like SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), and DDoS attacks. Consider using a cloud-based WAF for easier management.
• Run Security Scans: Regular penetration testing and vulnerability scans can identify weaknesses before the holiday traffic peaks, allowing you to address risks proactively.
• Use a Content Delivery Network (CDN): A CDN can improve your site’s performance during high-traffic periods and offers additional security features, including DDoS mitigation.

2. Secure Your Payment Processing Systems

During Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the volume of transactions skyrockets. A secure payment system is essential for customer trust and regulatory compliance.

Action Steps:

• Ensure PCI DSS Compliance: If you handle credit card transactions, ensure your payment systems comply with PCI DSS requirements. This includes secure storage, processing, and transmission of cardholder data.
• Outsource Payment Processing: If possible, fully outsource payment processing to a PCI DSS-compliant service provider. This reduces your risk and compliance obligations by minimising your handling of sensitive cardholder data.
• Avoid Storing Sensitive Data: Do not store unnecessary customer payment information. If storage is required, ensure data is encrypted both in transit and at rest.
• Use Secure Payment Gateways: Implement reputable and secure payment gateways that offer fraud detection and secure transaction processing.

3. Educate and Alert Your Employees on Phishing and Fraud

Employees may be busier and more prone to errors with the holiday rush. Equip your team with the knowledge they need to stay vigilant against common scams.

Action Steps:

• Provide Phishing Awareness Training: Regularly conduct simulated phishing attacks to assess and improve your team’s ability to recognise and respond to phishing attempts.
• Implement Strong Authentication Methods: Encourage the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA) for employee accounts to add an extra layer of security.
• Use Password Managers: Provide password management tools to help employees create and manage strong, unique passwords without the need to memorise them.
• Limit Access Privileges: Apply the principle of least privilege by restricting access to sensitive systems and data to only those employees who need it for their job roles.

4. Monitor for Fraud and Suspicious Activity in Real-Time

Real-time monitoring helps you spot potential threats during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so you can respond quickly and avoid escalations.

Action Steps:

• Implement Advanced Fraud Detection Systems: Use fraud detection software that utilises machine learning to identify unusual transaction patterns, such as large orders, mismatched billing and shipping addresses, or multiple purchases from the same IP address.
• Set Up Security Alerts: Configure alerts for unauthorised logins, unusual access attempts, or changes to critical data. Real-time notifications enable swift response to potential threats.
• Regularly Review Logs: Continuously monitor and analyse server and application logs for signs of suspicious activity.

5. Enhance Customer Authentication to Reduce Account Takeovers

Account takeover attacks are common during Black Friday and Cyber Monday as cybercriminals attempt to log in using stolen credentials.

Action Steps:

• Offer Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to Customers: Encourage customers to enable MFA on their accounts to add an extra layer of security.
• Implement CAPTCHA Verification: Use CAPTCHA on login and registration pages to prevent automated bots from attempting credential stuffing attacks.
• Monitor Account Activity: Keep an eye on unusual account behaviors, such as multiple failed login attempts, sudden changes in personal information, or unexpected purchasing patterns.
• Educate Customers: Provide tips and reminders to customers about creating strong passwords and recognising phishing attempts.

6. Have a Black Friday and Cyber Monday Incident Response Plan

Despite preventive efforts, incidents may still happen. An incident response plan prepares your business to handle breaches efficiently and transparently.

Action Steps:

• Define Clear Procedures: Develop a detailed incident response plan outlining the steps to take during a cybersecurity incident, including containment, eradication, recovery, and communication.
• Assign Roles and Responsibilities: Ensure every team member understands their role in responding to security incidents, from technical staff to executive leadership.
• Test Your Plan: Regularly conduct drills and simulations to test the effectiveness of your incident response plan and make improvements as necessary.
• Prepare a Communication Strategy: Be ready to communicate promptly and transparently with customers, stakeholders, and regulatory bodies if an incident occurs to maintain trust and comply with legal obligations.

Stay Secure for a Successful Black Friday and Cyber Monday

Black Friday and Cyber Monday can be incredibly profitable, but they also come with cybersecurity risks. By implementing these tips, you can protect your business and customers from cyber threats, ensuring a smooth and secure shopping experience.

Remember, cybersecurity is an ongoing process. Stay vigilant, keep your systems updated, and educate your team regularly to stay ahead of potential threats.

If you’re looking for specialised assistance, consider reaching out to our team to assess your risks and prepare you for the holiday season.

Need Help Securing Your Business for Black Friday and Cyber Monday?

Our team offers customised cybersecurity solutions to help you stay protected this shopping season.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your business during Black Friday and Cyber Monday! 👇