Technological evolution, leveraged by the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), continues to transform everyday life. One of the activities most impacted by these changes is commerce, especially retail stores that seek to adapt to compete in a phygital market.
Physical stores are adopting a growing number of smart tools that allow them to offer convenience typical of online shopping, such as self-service totems, approach payments and cashless stores.These advances improve the customer experience, as well as optimize internal operations, allowing small businesses to compete with e-commerce giants.
This transformation generates multiple changes in people's consumption habits, impacting traditional shopping methods. Currently, stores are turning their efforts to meet new customer demands, through the implementation of smart devices.However, Palo Alto Networks warns of the risks arising for cybersecurity.
Increasing productivity with sustainability: IoT-based solutions
Technology, in addition to streamlining the shopping experience, reduces operating costs, promoting customer loyalty and increasing satisfaction. In addition, automation improves inventory management, allowing more agile replenishments, more efficient customer service and self-service systems that accelerate transactions, increasing productivity.
IoT-based security systems strengthen monitoring against theft, while energy use is reduced through the optimization of lighting and equipment.Loss prevention technologies also help reduce waste and overproduction, promoting sustainability.
According to Starfleet Research data on best practices in retail security, 68% of companies have already implemented this technology to accelerate intelligent customer interaction, real-time inventory management and the development of digital operations systems.
Productivity drives a more sustainable model, aligned with global trade trends.Also, 58% of retailers are implementing IoT-based energy management solutions such as interconnected lighting systems and water monitoring applications, helping businesses meet environmental responsibilities.
Cybersecurity challenges in trade transformation
The proliferation of connected devices also increases the potential risk surface for cyber attacks and data breaches. The increase in intrusion techniques has made IoT devices especially vulnerable. According to the IoT Security Best Practices of Top-Performing Organizations in Retail report, only in 2022 ransomware attacks grew 67% compared to the previous year, highlighting the challenges faced by the industry.
Governments around the world are responding with regulations designed to improve security in this area, such as the IoT Cybersecurity Improvement Act in the United States and the European Union Cybersecurity Act.
How to boost security in retail
With the increasing variety and amount of smart devices being deployed in enterprises, accurate tracking of each of them is critical. This visibility detects unauthorized devices and monitors suspicious activity, ensuring that merchants can protect their networks from potential threats.
Marcos Oliveira, Country Manager at Palo Alto Networks in Brazil, says it is indispensable to use AI and advanced machine learning to detect and prevent potential threats before they can exploit vulnerabilities in devices: “A proactive approach helps reduce the risk of data breaches and ensures systems remain secure”.
“It is necessary to manage a centralized platform where robust security policies can be applied to all devices, regardless of manufacturer or operating system. Similarly, encryption and data protection should be priorities for the business, as attackers can easily intercept and exploit them”.
The potential for digitization and automation in the retail sector is enormous and offers new opportunities for growth and innovation. However, the promise carries significant risks if companies are not adequately protected.As technology evolves, security solutions must keep up, reducing threats that can compromise the business operations of any organization, regardless of its size. In addition, it is mandatory to ensure the protection of user and customer data.In periods of great commercial movement, such as the December celebrations, it is advisable to anticipate and protect yourself in a solid way.
