‘Urge all customer-facing organisations to review their processes’, says security company
Ultracomms card payments solutions company based in Fareham, Hampshire, has warned businesses across the UK to tighten its security measures in light of the recent Dixons Carphone data breach.
Chief executive of Ultracomms, Derwyn Jones, said companies that use digital card-reading machines to process payments and information should take precautions immediately to prevent future cyber-attacks that may compromise financial safety and their brand’s reputation.
The urge to reassess the strength of each company’s cybersecurity measures comes in the wake of the Dixons Carphone security hack which compromised the card payment details of almost 6 million customers belonging to Currys PC World and Dixons Travel. The company now faces a fine of up to £400 million as a result of the new general data protection regulations (GDPR), not to mention the loss of trust amongst its customer-base.
Jones said: “The Dixons Carphone data breach will go down as one of the biggest data breaches at a single firm in UK history – and is a stark reminder to all businesses that we live in a new era of cybersecurity.”
Research has revealed that two-thirds of businesses still take card details over the phone, and use outdated technology to record such information, making themselves vulnerable to a security attack.
“It is a time where the hacking threat is unprecedented and no company is seemingly immune. Running parallel to this increasing threat are the most rigorous data protection laws Europe has ever seen. The result spells trouble for any business that does not invest now in robust systems that protect consumer data,” added Jones.
There is, however, good news in that technology is available for all client-facing businesses that can be installed to prevent future security breaches and deter hackers.
“I would urge all customer-facing organisations to review their processes and invest for the future. Ultimately it will protect their customers – and themselves,” stated Jones.
