Mastercard launches Online Safety Guide for small businesses

New Zealanders spent more than $4 billion online last year and with online spending now growing faster than traditional payments, it’s more important than ever for small businesses to pay attention to their cyber security. Mastercard has today launched Staying Safe Online: Cyber Safety Guide for New Zealand Businesses, a handy reference guide for small businesses.

The guide was launched by Minister for Small Business, Hon Stuart Nash at an event hosted by BusinessNZ as part of Cyber Smart Week to highlight the growth of online services, online shopping and payments in New Zealand and contains practical tips and advice for small businesses on where to get more information about how to stay safe online.

“These days, many people prefer the ease and convenience of electronic payments and three out of every five Kiwis are now shopping online,” said Ruth Riviere, Country Manager at Mastercard New Zealand and Pacific Islands.

“Increasingly customers expect choice when it comes to how they purchase goods and services, and accepting online payments delivers that – making purchases faster, easier and hassle-free. In return, businesses get instant payment with the added benefit of security and credibility, and offering faster transactions can even influence customers to purchase on the spot.”

“With 23 billion connected devices globally, and the growth of online services, online shopping and payments revolutionising business, there are also increased opportunities for criminals to commit scams and fraud. However, staying safe online for small business isn’t complex or expensive, and by following a few simple tips, New Zealand businesses can greatly reduce their risk of online fraud and compromise,” Riviere added.

The top tips from the Staying Safe Online toolkit include:

• Research or talk to your bank about various online payment options and work out which one is best for you, based on cost, convenience and safety.
• Talk to your bank about online authentication methods such as Mastercard SecureCode.
• Be cautious of suspicious orders, such as unusually large orders or those requiring urgent delivery.
• Install security software and ensure it is up-to-date to protect against the latest threats.
• Keep your office networks, computers, and mobile devices secure. Update your security software, change passwords and back up your data regularly. Store your backups offsite and offline.

BusinessNZ Chief Executive, Kirk Hope, said: “There’s no question that offering customers choice about how they make payments has become a huge focus for New Zealand businesses – and they are often the first line of defence to ensure customers have a safe and secure online experience. Through simple tools and advice such as this guide from Mastercard, Kiwi businesses can adopt good habits and stay safe while they operate online.”

© Scoop Media