PPR

Running head: CONCEPT PAPER: E-BUSINESS/E-COMMERCE SECURITY

CONCEPT PAPER: E-BUSINESS/E-COMMERCE SECURITY

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CONCEPT PAPER: E-BUSINESS/E-COMMERCE SECURITY

Introduction

The exponential growth of internet users has led to the internet being an increasingly important and attractive platform to base business transactions. This has led to the cropping up of e-commerce ventures in most regions of the world. Over the last few years, there have been many start- up businesses whose operations are entirely conducted over the internet while others still have the traditional stores being reinforced or being exposed to a larger customer base over the internet. This paper focuses and expostulates on the issue of security concerns which can affect e-business or e-commerce ventures. It is imperative to ascertain that business activities which encompass the dealing with money attracts a lot of illegal as well as a lot of threats from fraudsters or embezzlers (Lee, 2014). Many online businesses have had their online stores being accessed by unauthorized person, an aspect which has led to their information being compromised or their money being stolen.

Problem statement

E-business/e-commerce ventures face security concerns which may entail their information being compromised, their businesses being accessed by unauthorized people or even their finances being stolen. E-business/e-commerce business experience a lot of security threats and vulnerabilities which should be addressed effectively.

Relevance and significance

The e-business/e-commerce ventures comes with a lot of security issues which should be looked upon and addressed effectively. Some of the security issues are:

Confidentiality issues

Confidentiality entails preventing the disclosure of information to unauthorized parties. It is prudent to note that breaching of confidentiality over the internet is a possibility. Over the last few years, servers which contained information of e-businesses have been accessed by unauthorized people which has led to their confidential information being accessed (Lee, 2014).

Integrity threats

Integrity threats entails situations whereby unauthorized parties are able to alter a message or a stream of information. This is an issue which majorly affects unprotected banking transactions. It also encapsulates cyber vandalism which entails electronic defacing of a preexisting website. Online businesses have been affected by a situation whereby fraudsters use security holes in a domain name server (DNS) to substitute the businesses’ websites with fake ones so as to spoof the businesses’ website visitors (Gattiker, 2004).

Web-server threats

Servers pose as vulnerabilities which can be exploited by fraudsters to acquire information of e-commerce businesses illegally (Gattiker, 2004). The server acts as the third link in a client-internet server tier which embodies an e-commerce path between the commerce sever and a user.

Database threats

E-commerce business entails the use of systems which have user data as well as the means to retrieve product information from databases. These databases are connected to webservers. The databases also contain vital and confidential information that can lead to a company’s destruction if it is accessed or altered by unauthorized parties. Security concerns crop up when database store user authentication details in non-secure ways (Gattiker, 2004). In this case, a person can masquerade as a legitimate user hence be able to access and reveal costly and private information.

The issue of malicious codes

Malicious codes encompass destructive computer viruses and worms as well as Trojan horses. A Trojan horse is defined as a program which performs useful functions but can also perform unexpected actions as well (Lee, 2014). Viruses are code segments which replicates by attaching malicious copies to existing files while worms are programs which replicates themselves and causes executions of the new copies. The above stipulated malicious codes can cause havoc to an e-commerce business’ system which can lead to total closure of the business or mechanical breakdown since most e-commerce activities are carried out via electronic means which encompass the use of computers (Monteiro, Swatman & Tavares, 2003).

Significance

In consideration of the above issues which are fraction of the issues which affect E-business/e-commerce security, it is prudent to carry out an extensive research into the topic, come up with all plausible security issues and also come up with measure which can address the security issues effectively (Gattiker, 2004). It is paramount that e-business/e-commerce businesses comes fundamental strategic requirements which will ensure that their security cannot be compromised. This are of E-business/e-commerce security is still a new aspect to most people although its consequences are adverse. To secure the security issues of ecommerce businesses, a lot needs to be done. A lot of strategies which encompass the identification of security concerns and threats such as the ones discussed above and coming up with effective means to prevent their occurrences, to alleviate them or to respond to them effectively before any harm can be done (Lee, 2014). This will entail expostulating on the issue of E-business/e-commerce security and coming up with a detailed report expounding on the security issues, the best way to address them and how to mitigate them effectively.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that the issue of E-business/e-commerce security needs more research and coming up with a detailed expostulation on how to address it. This is a worthy topic for the final project since it encompasses a real life issue which needs to be addressed.

References

Lee, I. (2014). Trends in e-business, e-services, and e-commerce. Hershey, Pa: Business Science Reference.

Gattiker, U. (2004). The information security dictionary. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Monteiro, J., Swatman, P., & Tavares, L. (2003). Towards the Knowledge Society. Boston, MA: Springer US.