Knowing whether or not installing a new point-of-sale system is safe is an essential consideration. But all too often, POS suppliers omit this crucial information from the sales pitch and focus instead on what makes their system unique.
When choosing your new point of sales system, choose a POS company in the USA that is trustworthy and reputable and can install your new system with minimal fuss and hassle. Ask them about training options and remote access. And so you don’t just take their word for it, read on to learn the safety requirements for installing a new POS.
How to Improve your POS Security?
The POS system is an integral part of your retail business. You must ensure your POS system is secure to ensure your transactions are safe. Here are the steps you can take:
Train Employees
Ensure your employees are properly trained on using the equipment and follow proper security protocols when working with sensitive information such as customer credit card information or employee payroll data. If an employee doesn’t know how to use the POS system properly, they could expose it to hackers or damage it in other ways.
Install Antivirus Software
Many viruses, such as malware and ransomware, can affect a POS system. These viruses will slow down your computer and send sensitive customer information over the internet, where hackers or criminals could steal it. You can keep your POS system safe from these attacks by installing antivirus software on all your devices.
Select Custom POS platform
Each system has unique security features, which can be configured to meet your needs. For example, if you are a small business owner with a handful of employees and don’t have many transaction types, then a basic POS system will suffice.
However, suppose you run a larger business with multiple locations. In that case, you might need to use a more advanced system that can handle various transaction types and provide more robust security features.
Adhere to POS Maintenance
Adhere to proper maintenance procedures for your system’s hardware and software components. For example, if you purchase new computers or laptops for your employees, ensure they are equipped with up-to-date antivirus software and firewalls.
How Do You Ensure POS Is Secure?
Software Updates
The more up-to-date your software is, the less likely hackers can take advantage of vulnerabilities in the code.
Many POS systems have auto-update features that automatically download updates when available. If yours doesn’t have this feature, ensure you manually check for updates at least once a week. When installing new software, follow the instructions carefully and back up any critical data before beginning the installation process.
Two-Factor Authentication
It adds a layer of security to your business by requiring a password and an additional piece of information before an employee can access the system. It may be entering a code sent to your phone.
Use strong passwords. Use a combination of letters, symbols, and numbers to create a password that is difficult to guess or crack. Don’t use the same password on different sites — if one site gets hacked, they all might get hacked. And don’t share passwords with others.
Data Migration
When you migrate from one system to another, a lot of data needs to be moved over. It includes your inventory and customer information. If not done correctly, it can cause many problems for your business.
Data Migration can be done in several ways depending on the type of POS system you are using:
- Manually – By entering data into the new system or through an export/import tool. It is very time-consuming and prone to errors.
- Programmatically – POS providers will have a programmatic solution that allows them to connect directly with your current database and extract relevant information. The advantage is speed and accuracy.
Use SSL encryption
All data sent between your computer and the web server will be encrypted using SSL (Secure Sockets Layer). HTTPS websites use SSL encryption by default.
Use Cloud Solution
Cloud providers have extensive security measures to protect your data and ensure it’s not compromised. They also have a team of experts who constantly monitor the system for any issues or breaches. In addition, your POS is backed up regularly, so you don’t lose any transactions if there is a problem with your computer or tablet.
Cloud-based POS software makes it easy to access your data from any device, even when you’re traveling or working from home. An internet connection and can securely access your point of sale system from anywhere.
There’s likely to be some risk involved with installing a new POS system, but if you pay attention to installer reviews, it shouldn’t be too hard to avoid the worst of any potential pitfalls. Thankfully, customer support is available should anything go wrong. Fortunately, many POS systems should integrate seamlessly and quickly into existing restaurant software. Customer support options are also readily available should anything go wrong with the installation or during the interface setup