CyCognito, a cybersecurity company based in Palo Alto, California, released a comprehensive report on the heightened security risks that ecommerce platforms face during the holiday season. The report, published on November 26, 2024, sheds light on the increasing threats to customer data as online shopping activities surge during Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
The findings of the report revealed that despite the exponential growth in sensitive data being handled by ecommerce sites, vulnerabilities persist, particularly in web applications and interfaces. With the holiday shopping season looming, both retailers and consumers need to be vigilant about the risks associated with the seasonal rush. Malicious actors are poised to exploit vulnerabilities in ecommerce assets, potentially leading to data breaches or significant disruptions.
Emma Zaballos, a Senior Researcher at CyCognito, emphasized the importance of proactive security measures for retailers. She highlighted the necessity for ongoing security checks to ensure that websites are adequately protected well in advance of peak shopping days. Neglecting security protocols could result in severe consequences that no shopper anticipates receiving.
To compile this report, CyCognito’s research team examined ecommerce web application assets from November 2023 to October 2024 across a diverse customer base. The findings were anonymized and normalized to provide a comprehensive overview. The customers included a broad spectrum of industries, ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies operating globally.
Key findings from the report include:
1. Ecommerce Sites Handling Sensitive Data at Risk: The report underscores the vulnerability of ecommerce platforms that manage vast amounts of sensitive customer information.
2. Widespread Lack of HTTPS and WAF Protections: A significant number of ecommerce assets were found to lack essential security measures like HTTPS encryption and Web Application Firewall (WAF) protections.
3. PII-Exposing Assets Lacking Security Protections: Assets containing Personally Identifiable Information (PII) were identified as inadequately secured, posing a significant risk to customer data.
4. Certificate Validity and Trust Issues: The report highlighted concerns regarding the validity of security certificates and trust issues associated with ecommerce platforms.
Retailers and cybersecurity experts are urged to review the full report on CyCognito’s website to gain valuable insights into the security challenges facing ecommerce platforms during the holiday season. By taking proactive measures to address vulnerabilities and enhance security practices, businesses can safeguard customer data and maintain the trust of online shoppers.
CyCognito, renowned for its exposure management platform, utilizes advanced AI technology to discover, test, and prioritize security issues. The platform conducts thorough scans of websites, cloud applications, and APIs to identify critical risks and recommend remediation strategies. Organizations ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies rely on CyCognito to bolster their security posture and mitigate emerging threats.
For more information about CyCognito and its cybersecurity solutions, visit their official website at https://www.cycognito.com/.