What are network security vendors?

Network security vendors offer solutions that help wireless providers, cloud-based services, and internet service providers to identify and block unwanted messaging traffic, such as spam and phishing attempts.

Network security solutions include features like spam management, threat detection, and encryption, which help prevent phishing scams, malware, and other cyber threats.

How network security can protect your ecommerce business

1. Firewalls

A firewall is your first defense in blocking suspicious traffic while allowing legitimate website visitors to browse and make purchases on your platform.

You can configure firewalls to protect areas of your infrastructure where customers provide personal information, such as checkout pages, account creation forms, login pages, account management sections, and customer service contact forms.

For example, if someone tries to exploit a vulnerability in your web server, the firewall can block the attempt, keeping your customers’ credit card details safe. Firewalls are part of making sure shoppers can complete their purchases through a secure and smooth checkout process.

2. Network access control

Network access control (NAC) provides authentication—they make sure you are who you say you are—and authorisation—they make sure that as person X, you can access what needs accessing. This applies to on-premise networks.

3. Intrusion detection and prevention systems

Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPSs) work behind your firewall to monitor incoming traffic for potential threats. They automatically respond to security breaches and are effective at stopping attacks like brute force and denial-of-service (DoS).

For example, if a DoS attack targets your ecommerce platform by flooding it with a massive volume of requests, the IDPS can detect the abnormal traffic patterns and block the attack. This prevents the attack from causing downtime so that your online store remains available and your customer data is protected.

4. Virtual private networks

A virtual private network (VPN) creates a secure, encrypted connection between your device and your company’s corporate network. When you transmit sensitive data between your ecommerce platform and external connections—such as third-party integrations, cloud services, and public networks—a VPN works to keep that data protected.

5. Application security

Key application security measures include:

  • Application firewalls: They filter out unauthorised traffic, so only legitimate customers can use your platform and your marketing data remains safe.
  • Runtime application self-protection: This technology detects and responds to threats in real time. For example, it can stop an attack that tries to alter customer orders or payment details.
  • Static testing: This type of testing checks your application’s code for vulnerabilities before it goes live, which helps avoid problems that could impact your platform’s reliability and your marketing efforts.
  • Dynamic testing: This type of testing checks how your applications behave in real time to find and fix vulnerabilities that could lead to data breaches or slow down your website.

6. Email and SMS security

With email and SMS being two of the most common vectors for cyber attacks, most network security vendors include email security in their solutions. Your email and SMS communications are typically protected through:

  • Awareness training: Humans are the first line of defense. Send articles and videos educating your staff on how to identify phishing emails and SMS messages, and what to do if you receive these messages.
  • Spam and phishing protection: Filters block harmful emails and phishing scams, keeping your customer data safe.
  • Two-factor authentication: Strong two-factor authentication (2FA) helps secure your email accounts from unauthorised access, making sure that your audience’s data and your interactions with them remain private.
  • Sandboxing: This technique isolates suspicious emails in a secure, controlled environment known as a “sandbox.” In this isolated space, potentially harmful content is tested and analyzed without risking the rest of your network.

Keep your email communications with your audience even more secure by using a marketing automation platform like Klaviyo. Building on the key security features a network security solution provides, Klaviyo helps you manage customer information with care.

Sign up for Klaviyo today to make the most of customer data from more than 350 tools and platforms. Send emails that will engage your audience and drive growth.

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