Protect Your BigCommerce Website from Cybersecurity Threats
To protect your BigCommerce website from cybersecurity threats is an essential duty for any online merchant. As e-commerce continues its rapid expansion, the dangers posed by cybercriminals looking to steal data, disrupt business, and exploit weaknesses grow in tandem.
This guide offers a clear, step-by-step framework for securing your BigCommerce store. We will walk through fundamental security practices and more advanced protective strategies to give you the confidence to safeguard your business and your customers. By following these steps, you can create a secure, trustworthy e-commerce environment that fosters customer loyalty.
The Importance of Security for Your BigCommerce Store
In the digital marketplace, customer trust is the ultimate asset. A single security breach can destroy that trust in an instant, leading to lost revenue, a tarnished brand image, and potential legal repercussions. The reality is that many shoppers will abandon a site permanently after a security incident.
Therefore, securing your store is about more than just preventing financial loss; it is about building a resilient and sustainable business. When you prioritize security, you demonstrate to your customers that you value their privacy and are committed to providing a safe shopping experience. This commitment builds the loyalty and repeat business necessary for long-term growth.
Step 1: Fortify Your Store’s Access Points
Your first and most critical line of defense is controlling who can access your BigCommerce control panel. Weak or stolen login credentials remain the most common vulnerability exploited by attackers.
Enforce Strong Password Policies
Every user account with access to your store must use a strong and unique password. A robust password should contain a mix of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid easily guessable information like birthdays, common words, or simple sequences.
Using a password manager is a highly recommended practice. These tools can generate and securely store complex passwords for all your users, preventing the unsafe habit of reusing credentials across different services.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Two-factor authentication adds a vital security layer to the login process. It requires a second form of verification in addition to a password, usually a time-sensitive code from an authenticator app on a mobile device. This means that even if a hacker obtains your password, they cannot gain access without physical access to your device.
BigCommerce supports 2FA, and you should enable it for all user accounts, including the store owner and all staff members. This simple action dramatically reduces the risk of unauthorized account takeovers.
Restrict User Role Permissions
Not every member of your team needs full access to every part of your store. BigCommerce allows you to define user roles with specific permissions, granting access only to the areas needed for an individual’s responsibilities. For instance, a person managing inventory does not need access to website settings or marketing tools.
By following the principle of least privilege, you limit the potential damage that could occur if a user account is compromised. Regularly audit these permissions, and promptly remove access for former employees to keep your store secure.
Step 2: Maintain Your Digital Infrastructure
Outdated software, including apps and themes, is a common target for cyberattacks. Developers regularly release updates to patch security holes and improve performance, and failing to apply them leaves you exposed.
Vet All Third-Party Applications
The BigCommerce App Marketplace offers a wide array of apps to enhance your store’s features. Before installing any app, conduct thorough research. Examine user reviews, investigate the developer’s history, and carefully read the app’s privacy policy and data access requests.
Only install applications from trusted, reputable developers that are truly necessary for your business. An app with overly broad permissions can become a backdoor for data exfiltration. Periodically review your installed apps and uninstall any that you no longer use.
Keep Your Store Theme Updated
Your store’s theme is another software component that requires attention. Theme developers often release updates to address security vulnerabilities. If you are using a theme from the marketplace, ensure you are running the latest version.
If you have customized your theme, be aware that updates might overwrite your changes. A best practice is to use BigCommerce’s Stencil framework, which allows you to update the base theme while preserving your custom code.
Step 3: Safeguard Customer and Business Data
Protecting your customers’ personal and financial information is not just good practice—it’s a legal requirement. A data breach can lead to significant fines under regulations like GDPR and CCPA.
Leverage BigCommerce’s Native Security Features
BigCommerce provides a secure and compliant platform right out of the box. It is fully PCI DSS compliant, meaning it adheres to strict industry standards for handling credit card information. All sensitive payment data is processed on BigCommerce’s secure servers, so it never passes through your system.
While this provides a strong foundation, you remain responsible for securing your control panel, managing user access, and ensuring any integrations or apps are also secure. Your store’s security is a shared responsibility between you and the platform.
Use Fraud Prevention Tools
Fraudulent transactions and subsequent chargebacks are a persistent threat to online retailers. BigCommerce integrates with several leading fraud prevention solutions that can help you identify and block high-risk orders in real time.
These tools analyze hundreds of data points—like IP address location, email history, and purchase velocity—to score transactions for their risk level. Implementing an effective fraud prevention strategy protects your revenue and reduces the administrative headache of managing chargebacks.
Step 4: Implement a Data Backup Strategy
Although BigCommerce performs regular backups of its entire platform, maintaining your own independent backups is a crucial part of a comprehensive security plan. This gives you direct control over your store’s data and a path to recovery in a worst-case scenario.
Use a third-party backup service to automatically save copies of your product catalog, customer information, order history, and theme files. Should data be lost due to accidental deletion, a malicious attack, or a faulty app, you can restore it quickly, minimizing downtime and lost sales.
Step 5: Proactively Monitor Your Store
Regular monitoring helps you detect suspicious activity before it escalates into a major security event. Make it a habit to review your store’s logs and settings for anything out of the ordinary.
BigCommerce’s Store Logs track all activities within your control panel, such as user logins, design changes, and product updates. Check for unrecognized IP addresses, unexpected exports of customer data, or changes you did not authorize. Early detection is key to a swift response.
The Drawbacks of Protecting Your BigCommerce Website from Cybersecurity Threats
While essential, it’s also true that to protect your BigCommerce website from cybersecurity threats involves certain trade-offs. Implementing robust security measures requires an ongoing investment of time, money, and occasionally, a sacrifice of convenience.
For example, stringent security protocols like 2FA can add an extra step to the login process for your staff. An aggressive fraud filter might sometimes flag a legitimate customer’s order, creating friction and potentially costing you a sale. These measures require careful calibration to be effective without being disruptive.
Furthermore, premium security apps, advanced backup solutions, and dedicated monitoring services often come with recurring fees. For a new or small business operating on a lean budget, these additional operational costs must be carefully considered. The goal is to strike a sensible balance between airtight security and a smooth, efficient user experience for both your team and your customers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is my BigCommerce store automatically secure?
BigCommerce provides a highly secure platform that is PCI compliant and protects payment data. However, you are responsible for other aspects of security, including creating strong passwords, managing user permissions, and vetting the third-party apps you install. Security is a shared responsibility.
What are the first signs that my store might be compromised?
Signs of a security breach can include new user accounts you don’t recognize, unauthorized changes to your store’s theme or products, or customers reporting that they received spam from your store’s email address. If you notice strange redirects or pop-ups, investigate immediately.
What is the most critical security step I can take right now?
The single most effective action you can take is to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for all users with access to your control panel. This measure provides a powerful defense against unauthorized access, even if a password is stolen.
Can an app from the BigCommerce Marketplace be a security risk?
Yes. While BigCommerce vets apps, a poorly developed or malicious app can still introduce vulnerabilities. Always research an app and its developer, read recent reviews, and understand the permissions it requires before installing it on your store.
Continue Your Journey Toward a Secure Store
To protect your BigCommerce website from cybersecurity threats is an ongoing process, not a one-time project. By consistently applying these best practices—from strengthening access controls to monitoring for threats—you build a resilient business that earns and keeps customer trust.
The e-commerce landscape is dynamic, with new threats emerging regularly. Stay informed about the latest security trends and continuously work to enhance your store’s defenses. To learn more about building a successful and secure online business, continue exploring our resources on e-commerce strategy.
