“Findings from the investigation show unauthorized access to Vera Bradley’s payment processing system…”  — the official statement from Vera Bradley’s released press statement, informing customers about a POS system breach.

The hack resulted in the company’s credit card data being compromised, including credit card number, cardholder’s name, its expiration date as well as internal verification code.

And, this is just one of the many reported data breach incidents that have happened in last few years in the retail sector.

POS hacks and malware infestation has taken a form of an epidemic

As such, retailers must exercise every precaution and implement all necessary measures to ensure their POS systems remain secure.

How can you ensure that?

By following these 5 tips.

Tip #1: Keep Your POS Software Updated

Like every other software, ensuring your POS software remains up-to-date is of paramount importance, if you want to keep hackers at bay. Updates help address vulnerabilities and security loopholes in older versions, enhancing the security of your POS system.

Tip #2: Reinforce POS System Security by Installing Firewall and Antivirus Applications

Install firewall and latest version of anti-virus software on the system on which the POS suite has been installed. This would protect the system from malware, spyware, hackers and viruses—all the while providing efficient monitoring of network traffic.

Tip #3: Regulate Accessibility to POS Systems

POS systems, in most cases, are exploited by the activity of in-house staff who harbor ill intentions against the company. It’s important that you use a POS system which allows you to regulate and control access to the system’s database.

Tip #4: Use POS Systems that Support EMV Technology

EMV technology helps protect sensitive credit card information. By using a POS system that supports EMV technology, you could render any potential breach harmless.

Tip #5: Use POS Systems Equipped with End-to -End Encryption Feature  

An end-to-end encryption feature encrypts the transaction data at the point of sales terminal and then encrypts it again before it is stored in a server. This further enhances the security, protecting sensitive data across all points of data interaction.

Don’t Wait, Act Now!

• Get your POS software updated.
• Install a firewall and an antivirus application on your system.
• Limit the access to your POS system.

And, if you don’t have a POS system that supports EMV technology or end-to-end encryption feature, get one now from Bridge POS.

We provide highly secured POS systems for small businesses, including point of sale systems for restaurants, grocery store POS, pharmacy POS, fuel retail POS and POS solutions for all other types of retailing needs. We look forward to serving you.