To build up a strong cyber security defense for contact center, you must identify exactly how customer data and privacy may be at risk. Understanding the risk profile will help contact centers deploy a multi-layered security strategy – a core necessity for comprehensive defense against evolving cyber threats.
Why is Security Improvement So Important for Contact Centers?
Here is the baseline for any contact center security framework – it’s not enough to be Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliant. PCI compliance protects credit card data and its protection ends there, leaving the rest of the numerous contact center processes and data flow channels completely vulnerable. Your protection plan needs to extend to cover all data submitted and generated by customers. Furthermore, the protection needs to cover everyone from the business or organization to associates and customers. A single point of vulnerability can result in security impact much further along the chain.
Ensure physical security at contact centers
This is a commonly overlooked parameter in ensuring digital security. Physical security of endpoints and all contact center assets should be of primary importance, as unauthorized access to a single door/number pad/swipe card or even a biometric lock can result in major vulnerabilities. Management should ensure that people who work on each floor should be the only people to have access to assets on that floor. Photo ID and color-coding nametags and access areas also go a long way in enforcing these rules.
Improve Digital/internal security
High-quality enterprise virus protection software can literally save your endpoints from being vulnerable – even with adequate firewalling and security protocols. Your telephone system and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system should assign individual sign-ons for each employee and never rely on single sign-ons.
For change management, all changes must be rigorously documented for PCI compliance. A helpdesk ticketing system can go a long way to help with that. It’s a great practice to periodically conduct third-party firewall penetration testing to ensure your security systems are fully functional.
Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
Multi-factor authentication is a necessity now with the mushrooming of multiple electronic devices being used for office work. Even if one system is compromised, MFA ensures multiple layers of protection to secure access.
Deploy a Secure Cloud-Based Solution
Despite best efforts, nearly 80% of organizations are yet to be security-compliant – leaving themselves wide open to the scope of hard fines in the future. It is only common sense to work with a reputed IT Support Provider (who is also a PCI DSS compliant technology partner) to build up your security infrastructure to be future proof. A solid, secure cloud-based solution can truly help your business ensure data security and compliance to safeguard sensitive data round the clock.
Implement backups and disaster readiness plans
Disaster-readiness should be built into your security framework right from inception, as it can protect invaluable business data when your business is faced with natural or manmade disasters, or unexpected crises. Such plans can help you with business continuity in the shortest possible time frame.
Employ IT expert(s)/Hire Managed IT Service provider
If the threats and the steps to head off those threats seem complicated, it’s because they can be. Security is a constantly evolving field, and it can be mind-numbingly challenging for contact center management to keep track of best practices and ensure regulatory compliance at all times. A qualified Managed IT Services Provider can lighten the burden enormously by bringing on board industry-leading cyber security experts and deep domain expertise in the area.
[box type=”note” align=”” class=”” width=””]About ZRG
Since 1994, ZRG has been offering innovative and flexible solutions for multi-channel Contact Center, CTI, IVR, Call Recording, Complaint Desk, Ordering and Workflow Management needs. We have successfully delivered over 450+ Enterprise level projects to prestigious organizations in the banking and financial services, telecoms, insurance, courier, pharmaceutical and energy service industries in the national and international market. To discover how you can enhance customer satisfaction and improve team productivity in your organization, contact ZRG solutions team today.
Each day, on every project, we deliver value through our accumulated technical knowledge and project management skills. Our expertise delivers immediate benefits to our clients with cost and time savings. Our solutions deliver increased operational efficiency and staff productivity to our valued clients. This is what we do. We deliver beyond expectations.[/box]