Management Policies, Business Procedures and Laws Supporting Security in E-Commerce Systems
Implementing good security in e-commerce systems necessitates not just technological solutions, but also solid management policies, business practices, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations. Here are several important aspects:
1. Management Policies
Information Security Policy: Outlines the overall strategy for securing information assets, including objectives, scope, roles, and duties.
Data Protection Policy outlines how personal and sensitive data should be collected, processed, stored, and shared.
The Access Control Policy specifies the methods for granting, reviewing, and revoking access to systems and data using the principle of least privilege.
Incident Response Policy: Outlines procedures for detecting, reporting, and responding to security incidents, including roles, responsibilities, and communication protocols.
Password Policy: Establishes standards for creating, using, and managing passwords to ensure their strength and security.
Acceptable Use Policy (AUP): Outlines acceptable and inappropriate behaviours and actions for users who access the company's network and resources.
2. Business Procedures
Risk management entails regularly assessing threats to the e-commerce platform and implementing suitable procedures to mitigate detected hazards.
Security Awareness Training: Provide regular training sessions to employees on security best practices, phishing, social engineering, and other dangers.
Conduct regular security audits, vulnerability assessments, and penetration testing to detect and address security flaws.
Backup and recovery procedures: Maintain regular backups of important data and systems, and test recovery procedures, to ensure company continuity in the event of data loss or cyber disasters.
Change Management: Establish a structured strategy for managing changes to the IT environment to ensure that security implications are examined before changes are implemented.Data Retention and Disposal: Develop methods for storing and safely disposing of data in compliance with legal and commercial needs.
User Access Reviews: Review user access rights on a regular basis to verify that only authorised personnel have access to sensitive systems and data.
Patch Management: Make sure that all software, apps, and systems are frequently updated with the most recent security patches and updates.
3. Laws and Regulations
General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR): A comprehensive data protection law in the EU that regulates the processing of personal data and provides individuals with rights over their data.
California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA): A state law that gives California residents more control over their personal information and requires businesses to be transparent about data practices.
Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS): A set of security standards designed to protect payment card information during and after a financial transaction.
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA): A US law that establishes national standards to protect sensitive patient health information.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX): US legislation that requires publicly traded companies to implement internal controls and procedures for financial reporting to reduce the risk of fraud.
Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA): A US law that imposes certain requirements on operators of websites or online services directed at children under 13 years of age.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Regulations: Enforces laws related to consumer protection and privacy, including guidelines on protecting consumer data and preventing deceptive practices.
Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA): US law that extends government restrictions on wire taps from telephone calls to include transmissions of electronic data by computer.
Implementing Management Policies, Business Procedures, and Compliance
Establish a governance framework to specify the roles and responsibilities for security management throughout the organisation.
Compliance Audits: Conduct frequent compliance audits to ensure that the organisation complies with applicable laws and regulations.
Documentation and reporting: Keep thorough records of policies, processes, and compliance activities. Regularly report security posture and incidents to senior management and stakeholders.
Collaboration between departments Ensure that IT, legal, finance, human resources, and other departments work together to implement and enforce security rules.
Continuous Improvement: Policies and processes should be reviewed and updated on a regular basis to reflect new risks, legislative changes, and business demands.
By integrating these management policies, business procedures, and compliance efforts, e-commerce businesses can create a secure environment that protects both the organization and its customers.
