Security certification - why it’s important

Unfortunately, chat systems are a valuable addition to a business's digital presence. It allows companies to get in touch with their audience, addressing questions as they arise and resolving issues on the spot. It is also a tool used between the team to exchange technical information and collect data. Therefore, it doesn't make sense to abandon one of the most innovative collaboration and communication technologies. But how can you be sure you are using the best live chat for your business? That's where security certification matters.

Cyber security certifications reassure your customers

As a business, you need to put yourself in your customers' shoes. Will they be willing to share potentially confidential data directly in the chat? Showcasing the relevant cyber security certification(s) can provide reassurance. It is a way to inform your customers that your business is actively working to keep cyber-attacks at bay.

Most web users have become savvy about online security. Most people know to check for obvious signs of cyber security safeguards in place on a business website, including an SSL certificate or HTTPS URL and the iconic padlock in front of the URL in the navigation bar. Therefore, they also expect your chat to meet security standards.

Displaying cyber certifications related to the chat solutions ensures the business can show the cyber security levels in place.

Cyber security certifications are mandatory in some industry sectors

Businesses handle a variety of digital data. It makes sense that cyber security levels would differ depending on a business's location or activities.

EU-based companies, for instance, require a unique cyber security framework for the exchange of digital data. The Privacy Shield fall between the EU and US businesses marked the end of an established framework. To maintain secured international digital exchanges at an international level, businesses need to meet international standards in security certification, ISO27001, and meet EU business requirements.

Financial and healthcare data are identified as highly confidential information. As a result, no company can legally handle these data without recognised cyber security certifications. In other words, financial services or healthcare providers need to ensure their audiences about the safety of the IT framework. Failure to do so will see the business face legal challenges related to compliance with cyber security policies, governance controls, and regulators. In the financial sector, you will need the FSQS certification. The British healthcare system requires the NHS Data Security Toolkit certification.

Cybercrime is not going anywhere

Cyber threats are showing no sign of slowing down. On the contrary, hackers rely on more advanced technologies and techniques to attack business data. In the UK only, the cybercrime rate has doubled between 2015 and 2020. In the first half of 2021, UK businesses reported losses of £1.3bn to cyber crimes and fraud, according to the National Intelligence Bureau.

Unsecured chat systems can be an easy target for criminals. They can provide rapid access to confidential data, contributing to data breaches. They can also offer a unique opportunity to affect IT security by exchanging corrupted files within the chat window. Finally, phishing and scams are also a recurring occurrence on a live chat. Therefore, it makes sense for businesses to protect themselves.

Partnering with a certified cyber security provider saves you money

In the event of compromised cyber security, a business could face significant consequences. The loss of revenue is an almost immediate consequence of cybercrime, as experienced by many companies. Unfortunately, for small and medium companies, the repercussions could have devastating effects on their survival, ranging from expensive lawsuits to reputation damage. That's precisely why you need to entrust your data to cyber security experts, especially for data exchange platforms such as chat services.

The best live chat partner for your business

What makes Click4Assistance stand out from the crowd is our commitment to cyber security for all our customers. We appreciate that every business has different cyber security requirements, so we bring the security certification your chat service needs:

• We are ISO27001 certified: This internationally recognised certification sets the best practice standards for information security management systems.

• We support FSQS certification: Our chat services ensure financial businesses can meet the IT and information security requirements for the Financial Services Qualification System certification.

• We work closely with the NHS Data Security and Protection Toolkit, the cyber security self-assessment tool for the healthcare industry.

• We are Security+ certified, a worldwide recognised certification that validates the skills in our team for IT security.