{"id":4131,"date":"2019-04-11T23:24:40","date_gmt":"2019-04-11T13:24:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/flippa.com\/blog\/6-security-best-practices-leading-up-to-a-sale\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T21:37:46","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T11:37:46","slug":"6-security-best-practices-leading-up-to-a-sale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/flippa.com\/blog\/6-security-best-practices-leading-up-to-a-sale\/","title":{"rendered":"6 security best practices leading up to a sale"},"content":{"rendered":"

If there is any one thing that is absolutely essential to surviving the eCommerce landscape in today\u2019s world, it\u2019s data security.<\/span><\/p>\n

Too often online businesses overlook data security by focusing more on marketing strategies <\/span>to gain more sales<\/span>, but the truth is that data security can have a huge effect on your sales as well (not to mention your reputation).<\/span><\/p>\n

“Roughly 60% of online customers today <\/span>say that they are wary of data breaches<\/span><\/a>, and if they find businesses with compromised payment systems, they\u2019re simply going to find somewhere else to spend their money.”<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

The most successful businesses right now are learning to incorporate the best security practices that lead up to a sale, and not just security that is a byproduct of their organization. With that in mind, here are the top security practices to follow leading up to a sale:<\/span><\/p>\n

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1. Migrating Servers & Content<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s no secret that content gets migrated all the time, as <\/span>part of a transfer of ownership<\/span><\/a> or simply for a site redesign. Often a business starts with a server provider that is basic and unable to keep up with speed and performance as the company expands its online audience.<\/span><\/p>\n

For example, many businesses struggle to <\/span>choose between a website or blog<\/span><\/a> and then start to outgrow the bandwidth and limitations provided. Making the transition to a larger, more reliable server is always a good thing for growing businesses. Unfortunately, it also comes with some significant security risks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Imagine losing some or all of your important data in the transition. Or imagine personal customer information getting breached during the migration. As a result, you need to make sure security helps sales by making every migration to a more secure server, where it can be one hundred percent safe.<\/span><\/p>\n

Microsoft\u2019s <\/span>Storage Migration Service<\/span><\/a> can you help make the transition the most effectively and with as few of security vulnerabilities as possible. Once all the data is transferred, you can then rest more soundly knowing the information is now stored on a more reliable host.<\/span><\/p>\n

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2. Controlling Employee Permissions<\/span><\/h2>\n

The CISO or CSO of an organization is not only a guardian of personal data and keeping the company and its technological procedures safe, but is also a curator and custodian of the overall brand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Security teams should have their hands in <\/span>every single detail of day-to-day operations<\/span><\/a>, with the goals of defending company assets, meeting market criteria and compliance, and implementing the right technologies at the right times.<\/span><\/p>\n

Like a ranking order of a military, your employees should also have different permission levels when it comes to helping generate sales. Not every employee should have the exact same access to your systems.<\/span><\/p>\n

Only the most trustworthy people should have access to the most sensitive information. Apps like <\/span>Square Employee Management<\/span><\/a> can constantly let your IT team adjust and monitor permissions. <\/span><\/p>\n

Keeping control of your back end prevents unnecessary leaks and breaches, leading to safer day to day operations. Furthermore, it becomes a domino effect as it builds trust with your customers, knowing you are reputable and take security seriously, knowing they can trust their personal information with you.<\/span><\/p>\n

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3. Integrating to the Cloud<\/span><\/h2>\n

There is a reason why so many organizations <\/span>have moved to the cloud<\/span><\/a>: the cloud has allowed information, and especially sensitive data, to get stored more securely.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, this is a gigantic element of many businesses that care about safety and security. So if your business has not already made the transition, the cloud needs to be your answer if you want to cut costs and improve security. More than <\/span>70% of companies in the U.S.<\/span><\/a> now use some form of cloud software — don\u2019t be left behind, and left vulnerable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Sensitive information that is stored on a computer is no longer the best method. If the computer gets hijacked, lost, or stolen, then everything is compromised. Cloud-based data is encrypted, making it <\/span>extremely secure and reliable<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Are you looking for a premier cloud service? Dropbox, Nextcloud, Google Drive, iCloud, SpiderOak and OneDrive are among the most popular.<\/span><\/p>\n

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4. Compliance and Data Privacy<\/span><\/h2>\n

Due to the massive amount of information that is stored and transferred digitally these days, requirements to keep customers information is not only a thing that any company should do to remain ethical <\/span>but also a legal matter<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

More of the developed world is creating compliance procedures and other regulations that businesses must follow. So you\u2019re also supporting and following the law when you act compliant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Online forms, for example, are a great means for collecting customer information. However, you need to adhere to certain procedures in order to remain compliant. GDPR and CCPA are two examples of compliance measure that are implemented <\/span>to help protect consumer privacy<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Depending on the industry you operate in, you may have additional measures you need to take. For example, an insurance company has to notify customers what personal data is being tracked and what is not.<\/span><\/p>\n

Companies that work in the healthcare industry <\/span>must stick to HIPAA compliant forms<\/span><\/a> and utilize security practices provided by HiTRUST. Failure to secure sensitive data can end up costing a company heavily, including potentially the closing down of the business permanently. The fines can <\/span>range from $100 to $50,000 per violation<\/span><\/a>, depending on the violation and the severity of the security breach. <\/span><\/p>\n

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5. Implement Employee Security Protocols<\/span><\/h2>\n

What you can control the most about your sales is not external, but rather internal matters. In addition to many of the other security practices that help <\/span>build a client vs. customer trust<\/span><\/a>, organizations much also build management vs. employee trust where you know every single employee, regardless if they are IT or not, are mindful of the best security practices.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even salesman need to understand the basics of cybersecurity in order to contribute to the overall growth and well-being of the company. <\/span><\/p>\n

Questions you can ask yourself include: <\/span><\/p>\n