Retail Wireless Security: a Few Considerations Avenal CA

Posted by : Ben Bradley

Retailers worldwide are making the move to wireless computing, both for the flexibility it brings to in-store operations and the speed it adds to business processes. Mobile platforms and wireless networks allow retailers to complete transactions and authorizations while collecting data from any location, at any time, with a variety of devices. The information gathered from these wireless devices allows retail managers at all levels to know sooner, decide smarter, and respond faster when it comes to market opportunities and changing customer preference. Today's independent retailers are facing increased competition from not only from their brick-and-mortar competitors, but also from online services.

That's why many retailers are now looking at new mobile solutions such as wireless sale (POS) terminals, wireless handheld checkout "line-busters," personal shopping assistants and self-service kiosks in addition to the traditional wireless hand-held devices used to receive & inventory merchandise in today's retail stores. These new platforms offer retailers a flexible technology that adapts quickly and affordable to changing business needs but also puts sensitive data at serious risks unless measures are taken to restrict user access and protect wireless transmissions from eavesdropping and other methods of intrusion.

The protection of sensitive data is sometimes overlooked. To ensure that new vulnerabilities are not intr...

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