Point-of-sale (POS) systems are a common target for hackers, as they can be used to steal payment card data. With the right POS security in place, this creates a safe environment for customers to complete their transactions and purchases.
Outdated software, unsecure third-party integrations, and unsecure networks, along with the theft of devices or passwords, can leave retailers vulnerable to attacks. Malware infections, hardware tampering, brute force attacks, phishing, and social engineering are all examples. An attack typically begins with hackers getting access to a target system by exploiting a vulnerability or using social engineering techniques.
POS security protects computer systems that process debit and credit card transactions. Because POS systems can store sensitive data such as account numbers, emails, and addresses, a data breach can be costly both in terms of damage control as well as the retailer’s reputation.
To protect this sensitive data, POS systems are equipped with security measures which include firewalls, intrusion detection, prevention software, and encryption techniques.
