Cybersecurity as the main challenge to the effective use of digital technology platforms in e-commerce

Abstract

PURPOSE: The article discusses the issues related to the use of digital technology platforms in e-commerce. It focuses on presenting the challenges associated with ensuring security in this area of commerce and looks at the threats that may emerge during the conduct of e-commerce business and the use of digital technology platforms, as well as their impact on how the management of e-commerce businesses views the platforms.

DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: In addition to theoretical considerations, the article presents the results of the author’s research study, which covered a sample of 120 businesses – beneficiaries of the Innovative Economy Operational Programme in the area of implementation and development of digital technology platforms. The research was based on computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) and resulted in producing a model of attitudes towards digital technology platforms.

FINDINGS: It further demonstrated that the use of such platforms in e-commerce might entail certain risks as a result of possible data theft as well as hardware and network failures. Failures of this sort were one of the main reasons behind the negative attitude towards digital technology platforms among the management staff of the businesses covered by the study.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: It is, therefore, essential to take actions to neutralize the threats above. This could be achieved by adopting formal security policies and implementing various systems and tools, including such designed to protect users from malware.

ORIGINALITY/VALUE: In the specific case of digital technology platforms, the process could be accelerated with the help of users who could participate in bug bounty programs such as those implemented by Google or Facebook.