Often overlooked in the deployment of ERPs, cybersecurity is nevertheless a key element in reducing risks and ensuring the operational continuity of the company. What are the challenges of cybersecurity and how to secure your ERP? We take stock for you.
Cybersecurity challenges for ERP
ERP security: a vital issue for the company
At the heart of the information system of many industrial companies, ERPs concentrate vital functions such as CAPM, stock and inventory management, the supply chain, accounting and financial management, etc. Integrated with other application systems (in particular via API), ERPs centralize all of the company's data and business processes in order to provide a 360° view of the company's activities.
This global approach is the strength of ERPs, but can also represent a vulnerability. Due to their extensive scope and numerous entry points, ERPs present a large exhibition area, increasing potential security incidents tenfold. This exposure to cyber risks is all the greater as the ERP is used by all of the company's employees and connected to an ever-increasing number of terminals.
In the event of a cyberattack on an ERP, the damage caused can have devastating consequences. In the industrial context, a major incident on an ERP can lead to a production interruption and some supply chain disruptions.
Beyond the direct loss of revenue and the costs of resolving the incident, a cyberattack targeting ERP can also result in the theft or loss of sensitive data, a ransom demand, a loss of trust from customers and suppliers, and even legal risks if it has failed to meet its obligations to protect customer or employee data (GDPR). In the worst-case scenarios, a cyberattack can limit the company's ability to meet market demands in the long term, and even lead to bankruptcy.
In 94% cases, companies that have suffered a cyberattack must partially or completely rebuild their information system and invest in enhanced security measures (source: BESSÉ and Stelliant study on cyber claims in companies) . And to make the right choices, you still need to know the threats that hang over ERPs.
Know the threats and vulnerabilities of ERP
Due to their large exposure surface and the wealth of data they contain, ERPs are prime targets for cybercriminals. In most cases, they act opportunistically and exploit the most obvious security holes.
Representing nearly 90% of claims covered by cyber insurance, my ransomware constitute the most significant cyber threat. Ransomware consists of encrypting ERP data and making the return to normal conditional on the payment of a ransom.
Among the most frequent attack vectors, we find:
- Phishing: Based on “social engineering”, i.e. the exploitation of psychological biases and human errors, phishing attacks represent 30% of disasters. This attack consists of sending an e-mail or SMS encouraging the recipient to click on a corrupted link, in order to obtain identification information or introduce malicious code via the ERP.
- Account takeover: representing 20% of the claims, this vector consists of gaining unauthorized access to a system by pretending to be an authorized user. The famous “CEO fraud” falls into this category.
- Brute force attack: This attack vector, representing 20% of disasters, consists of “breaking” security by testing, using specific software, all possible combinations of a password to connect to a service.
- Internal attacks: Cyber threats don’t always come from outside. Employees with access to the ERP system can maliciously or accidentally cause data leaks or sabotage. These incidents are not uncommon, given the potentially extensive access employees have to sensitive data.
How to secure your ERP system?
Strong authentication
Cyberattacks based on password vulnerabilities are commonplace. This is why it is essential to rely on robust authentication standards to secure access to ERP software. Multi-factor authentication (MFA) is an effective way to do this: by requiring multiple forms of verification (such as a password and a code sent to a phone), MFA makes unauthorized access much more difficult. Indeed, even if a password is compromised, the added barrier of the second verification factor can prevent an intrusion.
Rigorous management of access rights
Access rights management is fundamental to ensure that each ERP user only has access to the data and functions necessary for their business. Known as "principle of least privilege", this approach reduces the chances that a compromised account can cause significant damage. Additionally, it also makes it easier to trace suspicious activity, as a user's actions are confined to their specific authorization domain.
Data encryption
Data encryption makes data unusable to attackers. Applied to stored data as well as during its transit over the network, encryption must comply with the best standards, including ISO 27001 and ISO 27002, which provide guidelines for encryption and encryption key management.
Compatibility with existing security tools
An ERP must be compatible with security tools such as SIEM (Security Information and Event Management), which help monitor and analyze security activities in real-time. These systems combine security information management (SIM) and security event management (SEM), providing a comprehensive view of potential threats.
Security adapted to Cloud environments
Cloud migration is a major evolution of modern ERP. Companies choosing the Cloud for their ERP must therefore be attentive to compliance with the safety rules for this type of environment. Examples include: ISO 27017 and ISO 27018 standards, which provide guidelines on cloud information security and the protection and management of personal data.
Data backup
In the Cloud or on-premise, an ERP must integrate a robust backup system to ensure data recovery in the event of an attack. Covering both operational data and system configurations, backups must be frequently tested to ensure their integrity and restoreability. Implementing these practices helps to minimize data loss and to reduce recovery time after an incident, thus ensuring the continuity of business operations.
Beyond the cybersecurity criteria to take into account when choosing an ERP, companies cannot do without a incident response plan. Indeed, there is no such thing as zero risk and preparation is the keystone of any cybersecurity strategy. In any event, it is necessary to involve all employees in this process through awareness-raising actions.
Raising awareness among employees
Raising employee awareness of best practices is an essential element in strengthening the cybersecurity of the ERP and the IS as a whole. Awareness-raising actions must help employees recognize threats and adopt the right reflexes to protect themselves against them.
To be effective, these actions must be regular and part of a lasting relationship between IT and the business. Varied and based on various formats (e-learning, webinars, workshops, games, infographics, anti-phishing campaigns, toolboxes, etc.), awareness must focus on real or probable incidents in the specific context of the company. In any event, it is essential to adapt to the target audiences by taking into account the specific needs of the departments, their level of maturity in cybersecurity and the risks to which their missions expose them.
Managing a prospecting file
Regarding the management of this database, it will be necessary on the one hand to respect the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation). Remember that this regulatory text has governed the processing of personal data in Europe since 2018. On the other hand, the company will have to do everything possible to ensure that the prospecting file is always up to date, without duplicates or errors. Such a process requires good organization, hence the need for a commercial CRM.
Managing a prospecting file consists of a regular update to follow the cycle of change of status of the prospects. For the case of a B2B company, for example, a simple contact called suspect can pass into the basket of cold prospects. This is possible provided that the file is well qualified. After this pre-qualification phase comes the initial contact. This is only possible with a good update of the prospecting file. Indeed, it is the only way for salespeople to know the maturity level of the prospect. Once contacted, the prospect is qualified as hot, that is to say mature enough to receive commercial proposals from the sales force.
Why use a prospecting file?
A prospecting file aims to map business opportunities. It directs action towards qualified prospects. The goal is to boost conversions by identifying specific targets. An effective CRM amplifies this impact by automating follow-up. Thus, each interaction is transformed into actionable data to refine the CRM prospecting strategy. The emphasis is on lead quality rather than quantity, aiming for maximum return on investment.
How to effectively structure a prospecting file?
Structuring a prospecting file requires method and precision. The data must be categorized: basic information, previous interactions, and conversion potential. Using a powerful CRM facilitates this process. It organizes the information and makes the file easily accessible. The goal is to create a dynamic tool that evolves with CRM prospecting campaigns and adapts to market feedback.
Competitive advantages of a well-managed prospecting file
An optimal prospecting file is a competitive asset. It allows a personalized approach, increasing the chances of conversion. A CRM adapted to prospecting continually enriches this file. Thus, each interaction becomes an opportunity to learn and refine the approach. This leads to solid prospect-customer relationships, generating loyalty and recommendations, essential in a competitive market.
The benefits of centralizing your prospecting file in a CRM
If the prospecting file is well done, it will be easier for the sales force to know the progress of a prospect in the purchasing process. This support thus constitutes an essential weapon to know the level of maturity of a future customer. The creation of a qualified prospect sheet also helps the company to detect potential customers and to set up a strategy adapted to their behavior. When the structure has a well-stocked database, it will be able to track the path of each prospect. In addition, qualifying a prospect file avoids duplicates that often block salespeople.
Better management of customer and prospect data
Managing a prospecting file with a CRM can help businesses improve their prospecting process and increase their conversion rate. This is because CRM allows users to collect and store information about prospects, such as their name, email address, phone number, and interaction history with the company. Then, users can use this information to create personalized and targeted mailing lists for email marketing campaigns, phone calls, or SMS messages. Commercial CRM can also help track interactions with prospects and record the results of each interaction, allowing users to know where each prospect is in the conversion process. Finally, CRM can generate reports and analytics to help users evaluate the effectiveness of their prospecting campaigns and adjust their approach accordingly.
A global vision of sales progress
Managing a prospecting file with a CRM can help businesses improve their prospecting process and increase their conversion rate. This is because CRM allows users to collect and store information about prospects, such as their name, email address, phone number, and interaction history with the company. Then, users can use this information to create personalized and targeted mailing lists for email marketing campaigns, phone calls, or SMS messages. Commercial CRM can also help track interactions with prospects and record the results of each interaction, allowing users to know where each prospect is in the conversion process. Finally, CRM can generate reports and analytics to help users evaluate the effectiveness of their prospecting campaigns and adjust their approach accordingly.
