Cyber risk in retail is underestimated: here’s how to change your approach

A supply chain that’s increasingly exposed, and security that’s no longer enough

Modern retail relies on a complex ecosystem: diverse technologies, third-party systems, suppliers, cloud applications, and e-commerce platforms all communicating in real time. This interconnectedness makes everything faster and more efficient—but also more vulnerable. All it takes is a single supplier with a misconfigured server, or poorly managed access on a shared platform, to open a breach that could compromise the entire perimeter of a large retail chain.

The problem is that many companies feel protected simply because they use basic tools like firewalls, antivirus software, or two-factor authentication. These are certainly helpful—but on their own, they’re no longer sufficient.

Today, truly defending your systems requires a precise understanding of what’s in your digital infrastructure: which assets are present (servers, databases, applications), how they are connected, what data is exchanged, and which components rely on external services.
Without this complete visibility, any risk analysis will always be partial—and therefore ineffective.

You need a comprehensive view not just another patch

When faced with these risks, the most common reaction is to apply quick fixes: a rushed update, a reinforced firewall, or a crash course for staff.
But today’s retail environment is too interconnected and dynamic to be protected by siloed interventions.

It’s not enough to know which systems should be on the network. You need to know what’s actually there, in real time—with full confidence that nothing is being overlooked.
Because often, problems don’t originate from core systems, but from the small things: an outdated app, a misconfigured setting left behind by mistake, or an access point left open for too long.

What’s needed is a shift in approach. Not just another tool listing vulnerabilities, but a technology that offers a complete, integrated view of the entire infrastructure.
One that links assets, processes, and connections—and runs quietly in the background, without disrupting operations.
A technology that tells you, at any moment, where you’re exposed and what could happen if something goes wrong.

How to truly shift your security mindset

ackling cyber risk in retail doesn’t mean adding another tool or updating your antivirus. It means changing your mindset.
Security is no longer a once-a-year project—it must become a continuous activity, integrated into the daily management of infrastructure and processes.

Here’s where to start—simply, but effectively:

Truly understand what you have in-house
It’s not enough to know how many servers or PCs you own. You need a current, comprehensive view of your assets: hardware, software, processes, applications—and especially the interactions between systems.
Too often, breaches originate from forgotten components, outdated applications, or user access left active by mistake.

• Monitor those who are outside, but working inside
  External vendors, cloud platforms, payment systems, third-party business software—they’re all part of your digital supply chain, and therefore part of your risk exposure.
  Visibility into these elements is crucial, with regular audits and extended governance.

• Simulate, so you’re never caught off guard
  Knowing how an attack could move across your infrastructure—what systems it would hit and how it would impact business processes—can mean the difference between taking a hit and containing it.
  Simulating realistic attack scenarios is essential—not optional.

• Manage risk continuously, not sporadically
  Every change—a new vendor, a new app, a policy update—alters your risk profile. And it needs to be reassessed.
  Relying on an annual audit is like checking a boat only before departure, and ignoring what happens at sea.