With increases in eCommerce and remote work, what can independent retailers do to protect themselves against fraud and cybersecurity risks during COVID-19?
Phishing, videoconferencing vulnerabilities, malware and simple mistakes are only some of the increased cybersecurity risks.
Retailers seeking to protect themselves against heightened fraud and cybersecurity risk must look to their people (e.g. training), processes (e.g. Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policies) and technologies (e.g. updated virus protection, videoconferencing safety).
Keep in mind that not all fraud risks are necessarily cyber risks. For example, reported COVID-19 scams include fraudsters posing as public health agencies to get personal information (retailers should always check that someone asking them for this data has legal authority to do so) and posing as vendors selling COVID-19 tests.
Read more:
- View more information and links to Canadian COVID-19 fraud and cybersecurity guidance.
- View federal Privacy Commissioner videoconferencing tips.
Cybersecurity guidance specifically for small and medium businesses exists and could be useful to many independent retailers. View resources.
