E-commerce and Payment
E-commerce and payment technologies encompass various software, platforms, and services that enable businesses to conduct online transactions. These include online storefronts (e.g., Bigcartel, Shopify, Tictail), point-of-sale (POS) systems (e.g., Vend), and payment processors (e.g., Stripe). These technologies handle sensitive financial and customer data, making them prime targets for cybercriminals.
Why It's Essential to Know (Sanctioned or Unsanctioned):
Financial Risk: Unsanctioned e-commerce or payment tools can expose businesses to significant financial losses due to fraud, chargebacks, or unauthorized transactions. Knowing what tools are in use, both sanctioned and unsanctioned, allows for better risk management and control over financial operations.
Data Security & Compliance: E-commerce platforms and payment processors often store sensitive customer information like credit card details, addresses, and purchase histories. Unsanctioned tools may lack robust security measures, increasing the risk of data breaches, identity theft, and regulatory non-compliance (e.g., PCI DSS).
Reputation Damage: Using unsanctioned or unreliable payment processors can lead to customer distrust, payment failures, and negative reviews, ultimately harming the business's reputation.
Third-Party Risks: Many e-commerce and payment solutions involve third-party vendors. Using unsanctioned tools can introduce additional risks, as the business may need more visibility into the vendor's security practices or compliance with industry standards.
Fraud and Chargebacks: Unsanctioned payment tools may not have adequate fraud detection or prevention mechanisms, leaving the business vulnerable to chargebacks and financial losses.
External Identifiability:
E-commerce and payment technologies often leave a digital footprint that can be identified externally:
Website Footprints: E-commerce platforms like Shopify and Bigcartel leave specific code snippets and tags on websites that can be detected through source code analysis.
Payment Gateway Integration: Payment processors like Stripe may have logos or specific checkout pages that can be identified during payment.
Network Traffic: Network traffic analysis can reveal communication patterns with specific payment gateways or e-commerce platforms.
Social Media and Marketing: Businesses often promote the payment methods they accept on their websites and social media channels.
It is also essential to know whether these technologies are on-premise or cloud-based. On-premise solutions require internal security measures, while cloud-based ones introduce third-party risk and require due diligence in vendor selection.
Specific Types and Vendors (with Cybersecurity Considerations):
E-commerce:
Bigcartel, Shopify, and Tictail: These platforms host online stores. Vulnerabilities in these platforms could lead to website defacement, unauthorized access to customer data, or even a complete takeover of the online store.
Point of Sale (POS):
Vend: POS systems handle transactions and customer data in physical stores. Security breaches can result in stolen credit card information or manipulation of sales data.
Payment Processing:
Stripe is a popular payment gateway. If it is not secured correctly, it could be vulnerable to attacks that compromise transaction data or redirect payments.
ThreatNG: Safeguarding E-commerce & Payment Ecosystems
ThreatNG offers comprehensive protection for an organization's e-commerce and payment infrastructure by identifying and mitigating risks associated with these technologies. It leverages its EASM, DRP, and security ratings capabilities to:
Uncover Shadow IT and Rogue Online Stores: ThreatNG can identify unauthorized e-commerce platforms or payment gateways used by the organization, its third parties, or within its supply chain. It helps organizations control their brand, customer data, and financial transactions.
Detect Vulnerabilities and Misconfigurations: ThreatNG scans e-commerce platforms, POS systems, and payment gateways for known vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. These include outdated software versions, insecure plugins, or improper access controls that attackers could exploit.
Monitor for Data Leaks and Breaches: ThreatNG continuously monitors the dark web and other sources for any leaked credentials or sensitive information related to the organization's e-commerce and payment systems. Early detection allows for immediate response and damage control.
Assess Third-Party Risks: ThreatNG analyzes third-party vendors' security posture for payment processing, POS systems, or e-commerce platforms. This helps organizations ensure that their partners adhere to security best practices and do not pose a risk to the organization's financial and customer data.
Working with Complementary Solutions:
ThreatNG integrates seamlessly with existing security solutions to provide comprehensive protection:
Web Application Firewalls (WAFs): ThreatNG can feed its findings into WAFs to block malicious traffic and protect e-commerce platforms from attacks.
Fraud Detection Systems: ThreatNG's insights can enhance fraud detection systems by identifying suspicious patterns and anomalies in payment transactions.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems: ThreatNG can send alerts to your SIEM, allowing your security team to monitor and respond to threats.
Vulnerability Scanners: By integrating with vulnerability scanners, ThreatNG can provide additional context and prioritize vulnerabilities for remediation.
Example Workflow:
ThreatNG Discovery: ThreatNG identifies a misconfigured payment gateway on a third-party supplier's website that could potentially expose customer payment data.
Vulnerability Scanner Validation: The organization's vulnerability scanner confirms the misconfiguration.
SIEM Alert: ThreatNG's findings are sent to the SIEM, triggering an alert for immediate action.
Remediation: The security team notifies the supplier and works with them to fix the misconfiguration, preventing potential data breaches and financial losses.
Overall Benefits:
ThreatNG offers several benefits for organizations seeking to protect their e-commerce and payment systems:
Reduced Risk of Financial Fraud: By identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities in payment systems, organizations can reduce their exposure to financial fraud and chargebacks.
Enhanced Data Protection: ThreatNG helps protect sensitive customer and financial data by identifying and addressing potential risks.
Improved Security Posture: By integrating with existing security solutions, ThreatNG enhances the organization's overall security posture, enabling proactive threat detection and response.
Strengthened Third-Party Risk Management: ThreatNG helps organizations assess and mitigate risks associated with their third-party vendors and suppliers.
Cost Savings: ThreatNG can help organizations avoid costly financial losses and reputational damage by preventing cyber-attacks and data breaches.
ThreatNG is a valuable asset for any organization that relies on e-commerce and payment technologies to conduct business online. Its comprehensive capabilities provide the visibility and control necessary to protect these critical systems from external threats.
