As an enterprise owner or marketer, conversion is the dream, isn’t it? Seeing your ads and campaigns bring in those dollar signs must be rewarding. However, remember the saying that there are two sides to a coin? Well, it rings true for your marketing campaigns as well.
Every successful marketing campaign relies on data collection. They track the number of purchases gained via a campaign, monitor customer purchase history, and analyze how frequently customers buy certain items. For e-commerce campaigns, they also collect sensitive payment information. All this valuable data makes your marketing campaigns not just a tool for growth but also a potential target for cybercriminals.
Data Is the Prime Target for Cyberattacks
Data breaches in enterprises occur more frequently than you’d hope, with approximately 80% of data breaches being caused by human mistakes. Often, it is due to simple oversights like using a weak password or running campaigns on outdated software. Some other errors include emails sent to the wrong recipients, forwarding attachments with personal data, and falling victim to social engineering tactics that trick employees into revealing sensitive information.
All of this, of course, has a significant financial impact, with enterprises losing an average of $4.8 million per breach. However, the cost isn’t just monetary—companies also face damage to their reputation and the loss of clients unwilling to compromise their privacy.
These issues make it clear that the stakes are high for enterprises and their marketing managers working on campaigns that handle lots of sensitive data. With all these risks listed, paying attention to cybersecurity in your online campaigns is about time. So, here’s where your teams can start.
Establish a Strong Authentication Process
Gone are the days of sharing a single set of login credentials across teams. Each team member should have secure, unique access credentials. If remembering multiple passwords feels overwhelming, consider using team password managers. These tools not only generate and store passwords for all accounts but also allow your employees to share credentials securely with team members without exposing them to others.
If team password managers ever feel insufficient for your organization’s needs, you can opt for enterprise password managers. These provide greater control, allowing your teams to manage permissions at a granular level, enforce strict password policies, and ensure compliance with industry standards.
Most enterprise password managers also allow the implementation of two-factor authentication, which should definitely be used. Additionally, train your employees to identify phishing emails and scams that mimic trusted sources. Think of it as a third factor of authentication, if you will.
Perform Regular Security Audits
Your campaign can benefit greatly from regular security audits as they help identify vulnerabilities and potential risk points. These reviews should include:
- reviewing user access levels and removing outdated permissions,
- checking for unusual login patterns and suspicious activities,
- verifying that all marketing software and plugins are up to date,
- checking landing pages and forms for vulnerabilities.
Secure Remote Access Solutions
If you manage or are part of a remote team or enjoy traveling while working, you’ve likely relied on public networks for internet access at some point. Well, robbery isn’t limited to physical theft anymore—sophisticated criminals now see tourists and remote workers as prime targets for cyberattacks. Some might even offer to share their Wi-Fi as a trick to steal sensitive information from you or your employees.
So, whenever your teams or you’re on the go, consider investing in an eSIM. eSIMs work internationally and can be activated as soon as a person using them lands in a new country. They are a much more secure alternative to public Wi-Fi, allowing people to stay connected without exposing their data to potential cyberattacks or unauthorized access. To find the best eSIM, identify your enterprise needs, such as data plans, pricing, and supported countries. Then, compare options from providers and check reviews from trusted sources to make an informed decision.
Execute Campaign Monitoring and Threat Detection
For marketers, getting lost in tracking conversions and engagement is easy, and they might forget to monitor security irregularities. So, be sure your teams set up alerts for unusual increases in form submissions, multiple failed login attempts to enterprise accounts, suspicious traffic patterns, and unexpected changes to campaign parameters.
Prepare an Incident Response Plan
Think of this as having a first aid kit that allows your teams to handle threats to marketing campaigns in real time. An incident response plan lets them know how to deal with a threat as soon as it’s spotted. It should include:
- immediate steps enterprises can take to handle the breach,
- communication templates for employees and users,
- a list of legal and security experts to contact for counsel,
- backup strategies and recovery procedures.
Conclusion
Cybersecurity may not be the most visible or exciting aspect of online marketing campaigns, but it can prevent your enterprise from losing customers and protect you from unnecessary additional costs. The cost of implementing robust security measures is minimal compared to the potential losses from a single breach, both financial and reputational. This is why cybersecurity should be a necessary part of your enterprise’s marketing strategy.
