One of the aspects that many companies are concerned about is data security. ERP and security must always go hand in hand, since confidential information of third parties (customers, suppliers...) is being stored, as well as data of relevance to the company that is not desirable to fall into the wrong hands.
When a company is going to hire an ERP system, it must always take into account data protection, both in terms of confidentiality and data integrity, since the company could be affected at the operational level if it loses data that it needs in its operations.
Is my ERP secure?
Every business owner should be able to put their hand in the fire for their ERP software. If you are not confident enough that your business management program is secure, you should definitely change your tool. The problem is that people often don't know if they are using secure software, and companies only become aware of the problem when it has already occurred.
It is a sign of alarm, in any case, should occur when we see that the ERP software is not updated periodically. If there are no updates to the program, it is very likely to carry vulnerabilities, which could create problems for your business in the future.
Software security has to be a major issue for your company. It is not enough to say that it is a cloud program, or if you have it installed on premise. If the software is not well maintained (something very common when working with custom software for years), it would be ideal not to take any more risks and move to a cloud ERP that keeps the software always updated and gives you maximum confidence.
Security risks in your ERP
Many companies do not know very well the security of the software they are using. This means that they are also unaware of the risks that could affect them at any given time. Let's see what they are.
Obsolete software
The first risk of using an unsecured ERP is that you are using obsolete software. If it is a program that is not up to date, it may not only have significant vulnerabilities that jeopardize data integrity and confidentiality. It can also present you with various problems at the operational level, since every time there is a legislative change that affects companies, the software should integrate it. If this is not the case, you are using a tool that does not comply with the law and will generate more difficulties.
Without going any further, all ERP software must comply with the Anti-Fraud Law in Spain, because if the program supports double accounting, it is a tool that can no longer be used and your company runs the risk of incurring a penalty. The same applies if you have a company in the Basque Country, you can no longer work with any ERP that has not been adapted to TicketBAI. Or if your company is obliged to perform the Immediate Supply of Information (SII), your ERP software should have a module to perform it.
External connections
Another problem is that the software does not allow external connections from other applications. Or if it does, but it cannot be done securely. The more connections an ERP software allows to make with other programs, the more integration possibilities you have. But ideally, they should all be solutions from the same manufacturer or supplier, so that you can have maximum security guarantees.
Lack of reports
ERP software that does not generate error reports and a record of the actions that have been carried out does not allow you to easily track a cybersecurity threat. Suppose an angry employee's action deletes a whole series of data, but you can't find out who did it, at what time, and so on. Or if there has been a technical failure as a result of an upgrade, you need to be able to access a bug report to see where the problem lies.
Roles and permissions
If your software does not allow you to manage roles and permissions, it means that a single administrator user can manage all the data. And that the only way for someone to perform an operation in the software is to give your username and password to someone else. This poses a risk to data confidentiality, since you may not want a particular employee to have access to certain areas of the program.
Non-compliance with security regulations
Your software must comply with all security and data protection regulations. This means that if, for example, you work with a cloud ERP, you must ensure that you can connect via a secure https protocol and that the closed padlock is displayed in your browser.
Is a cloud ERP more secure?
Not necessarily an ERP in the cloud is more secure, it all depends on your service provider. Implementing an obsolete software on premise implies dangers, and using a cloud ERP software that does not comply with the most elementary security standards, even if it is in the cloud, can also imply dangers.
Whether you decide to implement an on-premise software or a cloud ERP solution, the key is to work with a trusted technology partner that provides a software solution that meets all security standards and is always up to date. A solution like Solmicro ERP, the enterprise resource planning software from Zucchetti Spain, which offers you the highest level of customization so that you can get the most out of it.
When a company is going to hire an ERP system, it must always take into account data protection, both in terms of confidentiality and data integrity, since the company could be affected at the operational level if it loses data that it needs in its operations.
Is my ERP secure?
Every business owner should be able to put their hand in the fire for their ERP software. If you are not confident enough that your business management program is secure, you should definitely change your tool. The problem is that people often don't know if they are using secure software, and companies only become aware of the problem when it has already occurred.
It is a sign of alarm, in any case, should occur when we see that the ERP software is not updated periodically. If there are no updates to the program, it is very likely to carry vulnerabilities, which could create problems for your business in the future.
Software security has to be a major issue for your company. It is not enough to say that it is a cloud program, or if you have it installed on premise. If the software is not well maintained (something very common when working with custom software for years), it would be ideal not to take any more risks and move to a cloud ERP that keeps the software always updated and gives you maximum confidence.
Security risks in your ERP
Many companies do not know very well the security of the software they are using. This means that they are also unaware of the risks that could affect them at any given time. Let's see what they are.
Obsolete software
The first risk of using an unsecured ERP is that you are using obsolete software. If it is a program that is not up to date, it may not only have significant vulnerabilities that jeopardize data integrity and confidentiality. It can also present you with various problems at the operational level, since every time there is a legislative change that affects companies, the software should integrate it. If this is not the case, you are using a tool that does not comply with the law and will generate more difficulties.
Without going any further, all ERP software must comply with the Anti-Fraud Law in Spain, because if the program supports double accounting, it is a tool that can no longer be used and your company runs the risk of incurring a penalty. The same applies if you have a company in the Basque Country, you can no longer work with any ERP that has not been adapted to TicketBAI. Or if your company is obliged to perform the Immediate Supply of Information (SII), your ERP software should have a module to perform it.
External connections
Another problem is that the software does not allow external connections from other applications. Or if it does, but it cannot be done securely. The more connections an ERP software allows to make with other programs, the more integration possibilities you have. But ideally, they should all be solutions from the same manufacturer or supplier, so that you can have maximum security guarantees.
Lack of reports
ERP software that does not generate error reports and a record of the actions that have been carried out does not allow you to easily track a cybersecurity threat. Suppose an angry employee's action deletes a whole series of data, but you can't find out who did it, at what time, and so on. Or if there has been a technical failure as a result of an upgrade, you need to be able to access a bug report to see where the problem lies.
Roles and permissions
If your software does not allow you to manage roles and permissions, it means that a single administrator user can manage all the data. And that the only way for someone to perform an operation in the software is to give your username and password to someone else. This poses a risk to data confidentiality, since you may not want a particular employee to have access to certain areas of the program.
Non-compliance with security regulations
Your software must comply with all security and data protection regulations. This means that if, for example, you work with a cloud ERP, you must ensure that you can connect via a secure https protocol and that the closed padlock is displayed in your browser.
Is a cloud ERP more secure?
Not necessarily an ERP in the cloud is more secure, it all depends on your service provider. Implementing an obsolete software on premise implies dangers, and using a cloud ERP software that does not comply with the most elementary security standards, even if it is in the cloud, can also imply dangers.
Whether you decide to implement an on-premise software or a cloud ERP solution, the key is to work with a trusted technology partner that provides a software solution that meets all security standards and is always up to date. A solution like Solmicro ERP, the enterprise resource planning software from Zucchetti Spain, which offers you the highest level of customization so that you can get the most out of it.