E-Commerce Data Security: How BigCommerce Stops Cyber Risks

E-Commerce Data Security: How BigCommerce Stops Cyber Risks

If you run an online store, you already know the truth nobody likes to say out loud – ecommerce security isn’t optional anymore. One bad loophole, one careless plugin, or a weak password can snowball into a full-blown retail data breach. And when customer details leak, trust vanishes instantly.

Here’s the thing. Attackers aren’t going after the big brands only. They go after whoever looks easier to break. Mid-size and fast-growing stores are prime targets these days because their traffic grows faster than their security playbook.

So, let’s break down the real threats of e-commerce security, how hackers try to get in, and more importantly, how BigCommerce steps in to keep stores safe, stable, and breach-resistant.

This guide is built for merchants, marketers, and store owners who want a clear, human explanation of what’s happening behind the scenes. No jargon. No scare tactics. Just a smart look at the battlefield and how BigCommerce wins most of the fights.

Why E-Commerce Data Security Decides Your Revenue Curve

Online shopping runs on trust. Customers hand over highly sensitive data every single day: names, emails, card numbers, addresses, phone numbers, saved cards, wish lists, and even personal preferences. If your store mishandles this, you’re not losing “data”, you’re losing a customer for life.

A single company security breach can trigger:

• Chargebacks
• Lost sales
• Customer churn
• Refund demands
• Massive compliance penalties
• Lawsuits and PR disasters
• Long-term brand damage
• Higher fraud checks and gateway restrictions

The impact isn’t temporary. Some businesses never recover after a breach. That’s why ecommerce website security isn’t just a technical job; it’s a revenue-protection strategy.

What this really means is simple: You secure your store; you secure your growth.

The New Threat Landscape: What Modern Hackers Try to Exploit

Cybercriminals are smarter, faster, and far more organized than a few years ago. They use automation, AI-generated attacks, and global networks of bots to test weaknesses in every ecommerce system.

Let’s look at the most common ecommerce data security threats merchants face today.

1. Credential Stuffing and Password Attacks

Hackers steal username/password lists from unrelated services and try them across thousands of sites. Why? Because users reuse passwords everywhere.

If there’s no rate-limiting, 2FA, or bot detection, attackers walk right in.

This leads to:

• Stolen customer accounts
• Fraudulent orders
• Unauthorized use of saved payment methods
• Stolen personal data

BigCommerce invests heavily here, but we’ll cover that shortly.

2. Payment Fraud and Checkout Attacks

Cybercriminals run card-testing attacks on checkout pages.

They use bots to test thousands of stolen cards in minutes. When your store becomes a testing playground, you face:

• Gateway penalties
• Higher processing fees
• Blocked payment accounts
• Huge chargeback spikes

Payment fraud is one of the fastest-growing ecommerce security threats globally.

3. Malware Injection and Script Attacks

Hackers love slipping malicious code into vulnerable websites, especially open-source ones.

This code silently:

• Steals credit card details
• Captures form submissions
• Redirects payments to attacker-controlled sites

This is the exact method behind many high-profile retail data breach incidents you’ve seen in the news.

4. SQL Injection and Database Hijacking

When form fields aren’t secured properly, attackers insert malicious commands that expose or manipulate your entire database.

Impact:

• Customer data leaks
• Order information exposure
• Full database corruption

This isn’t amateur work. It’s more common in poorly coded custom plugins, themes, and unmanaged servers.

5. DDoS Attacks That Take Stores Down

Hackers overwhelm your site with junk traffic until it collapses.

Every minute of downtime equals lost revenue.

Some stores lose thousands per hour. Others lose hundreds of thousands.

6. API Exploits and Headless Vulnerabilities

Headless setups introduce powerful flexibility, but also new entry points.

Attackers target:

• Exposed endpoints
• Poorly secured frontend apps
• Access tokens
• Third-party integrations

If even one integration is poorly secured, the entire system is at risk.

7. Insider Threats and Human Errors

Not all attacks come from the outside.

Common internal mistakes:

• Misconfigured access permissions
• Weak admin passwords
• Publicly exposed staging links
• Sharing credentials over email
• Unsecured staff devices

Human error still causes a major portion of company security breaches.

Now that the threat map is clear, let’s flip the perspective and look at what BigCommerce does differently and why it’s one of the safest ecommerce platforms on the market today.

How BigCommerce Protects Your Store from Cyber Threats

BigCommerce takes a platform-level security approach, which means most risks are eliminated before the merchant even touches a setting.

This is why thousands of enterprise brands trust it. You’re getting ecommerce security solutions without needing a full-time cybersecurity expert.

Let’s unpack how BigCommerce defends against each type of threat.

1. PCI Level 1 Certification: Bank-Grade Protection

BigCommerce is already PCI DSS Level 1 certified, which is the highest possible standard in the payment industry.

This takes the burden off merchants completely.

Instead of you securing servers, databases, firewalls, and transaction systems, BigCommerce does it at the platform level.

Benefits:

• No PCI audit stress
• No complicated forms
• Zero exposure of card data
• No need for technical teams to maintain compliance

This alone eliminates a massive chunk of ecommerce website security headaches.

2. Secure Hosted Infrastructure (No Server Risks for You)

BigCommerce hosts everything on secure, monitored, enterprise-grade infrastructure. That means:

• No server patching
• No outdated PHP versions
• No exposed cPanels
• No shared-hosting risks
• No unmanaged extensions corrupting your store

Most open-source ecommerce breaches occur because someone forgot to update a plugin or theme. BigCommerce removes that attack surface entirely.

3. Multi-Layer Data Encryption (Your Data Stays Locked Down)

All customer and store data is encrypted:

• In transit with HTTPS/TLS
• At rest with strong encryption standards
• Across internal systems with secure isolation

This protects customer identities, orders, and sensitive business information.

Modern e commerce data security starts with encryption. BigCommerce nails it.

4. Advanced DDoS Protection and Traffic Filtering

BigCommerce uses global networks and automated shields to block:

• Bot floods
• Junk traffic
• Traffic spikes from attackers
• Layer 3, 4, and 7 DDoS events

Your store stays up even while someone is trying to take it down.

That means:

• No lost sales
• No checkout failures
• No reputation damage

This is one of the biggest reasons enterprise brands migrate to BigCommerce.

5. API-Level Security for Headless Stores

With so many brands going headless, API security matters.

BigCommerce protects APIs using:

• Token-based authentication
• Scopes and permission controls
• Rate limits
• Monitoring and alerting
• Secure sandbox environments

This dramatically reduces headless vulnerabilities.

6. Secure Admin Panel with 2FA and Permission Controls

The admin panel is locked down with:

• Two-factor authentication
• IP whitelisting
• Role-based access control
• Login attempt limits

This stops internal mishaps and unauthorized access.

7. Automatic Patching and Security Updates

BigCommerce updates everything automatically:

• Servers
• Infrastructure
• Core platform
• Security layers

No manual upgrades. No patching nightmares. No downtime due to risky updates.

This is one of the key reasons BigCommerce has fewer retail data breach incidents than DIY platforms.

8. Fraud Monitoring Tools and Checkout Protection

BigCommerce integrates with:

• Signifyd
• ClearSale
• FraudLabs Pro
• NoFraud
• In-checkout bot detection systems

This stops card-testing, fake orders, and stolen-card fraud long before they can escalate.

9. Secure App Marketplace (Vetted Integrations Only)

Unlike open-source platforms, BigCommerce vets every app before listing it.

Bad code? Rejected.
Insecure scripts? Rejected.
Data misuse? Rejected.

This drastically lowers plugin-related ecommerce security threats.

10. 24/7 Monitoring and Incident Response Teams

BigCommerce has teams watching:

• Network activity
• Traffic anomalies
• API spikes
• Suspicious login behavior
• Unusual checkout attempts

They catch issues long before merchants even notice anything is off.

What Merchants Must Still Do: Your Part in E-Commerce Security

BigCommerce handles platform-level protection, but merchants still have responsibilities. A secure platform can’t fix sloppy internal processes, weak passwords, unsecured apps, or negligent data handling.

Think of BigCommerce as a secure fortress. The platform builds the walls, locks the gates, and stations the guards. Your job is simple: don’t leave the window open.

Here’s the practical, merchant-side security playbook.

1. Use Strong Admin Passwords and Enable 2FA

It’s shocking how many businesses leave “admin123” as their password. One compromised staff account can expose orders, customer details, pricing rules, and integrations.

Minimum rule of thumb:

• No shared passwords
• Use password managers
• Force staff to update passwords every quarter
• Enable two-factor authentication for every admin user

This alone closes one of the biggest gaps in ecommerce data security.

2. Restrict Staff Permissions Based on Roles

Not everyone needs full access.

Limit access for:

• Interns
• Freelancers
• Temporary support staff
• External agencies
• Customer service reps

Use role-based controls to restrict what each person can view or edit. This minimizes insider mistakes that often lead to company security breaches.

3. Audit Your Apps Every Quarter

Most breaches worldwide come from insecure third-party plugins.

Ask these questions about every app:

• Is it still needed?
• Who built it?
• Is it still maintained?
• Does it access sensitive data?
• Does it follow modern ecommerce security solutions practices?

Delete anything you don’t use. If an app doesn’t serve a clear purpose, it’s a liability.

4. Always Use HTTPS

BigCommerce gives you free SSL certificates. There’s no excuse for running any non-HTTPS page.

HTTPS protects customer data and boosts your search ranking. Google rewards secured sites with better visibility.

5. Avoid Storing Sensitive Data Unnecessarily

Customers love convenience, but storing unnecessary data increases risk.

Don’t store:

• CVV numbers
• Sensitive IDs
• Unencrypted files
• Customer screenshots
• Payment details outside payment gateways

The less you store, the less you can lose.

6. Train Your Team on Phishing Awareness

Security tools don’t help if your staff clicks the wrong email.

Every team needs basic training on:

• Fake invoice emails
• Phishing links
• Fraud calls
• Password-stealing websites

Human error still plays a major role in modern retail data breach incidents.

7. Protect Your APIs and Custom Scripts

If you’re using BigCommerce headless, make sure:

• API keys are rotated
• Tokens aren’t hardcoded
• Access is restricted by IP
• Keys are stored in secure vaults
• Frontend repos aren’t public

Even the smallest mistake in a headless build can expose an entire store.

E-Commerce Threats BigCommerce Neutralizes Automatically

Let’s map the earlier threats against BigCommerce’s built-in defenses.

This is why the platform is considered one of the safest in the SaaS ecommerce space.

The Hidden Advantage: BigCommerce Eliminates Open-Source Headaches

Open-source platforms like Magento or WooCommerce require you to:

• Patch servers
• Upgrade versions constantly
• Update extensions manually
• Maintain firewalls
• Pay for CDN
• Fix performance vulnerabilities
• Monitor logs
• Implement data encryption
• Handle PCI compliance
• Back up databases
• Do malware scans

If something breaks, it’s on you.

With BigCommerce, those jobs disappear. The platform takes care of the heavy lifting so you can focus on sales, marketing, and growth.

This difference alone prevents hundreds of security incidents every year.

The Cost of Ignoring E-Commerce Website Security

Let’s talk money for a moment.

Security breaches aren’t cheap. The average cost of a single eCommerce data security incident in retail can be devastating.

Expenses include:

• Emergency developer fees
• Forensics and legal consultations
• Rebuilding compromised systems
• Gateway fines
• Payment freezes
• PR and communication costs
• Customer compensation
• Discounts to regain trust

Some companies never fully bounce back. Their growth plateaus and customer trust weakens.

Investing in security protects your brand, your sales, and your future.

How Commerce Pundit Helps You Build a Secure BigCommerce Store

BigCommerce gives you the foundation. Commerce Pundit helps you build the safest, highest-performing version of your store.

Our team strengthens your security in five core areas.

1. Security-First BigCommerce Development

We follow strict development standards:

• Sanitized API handling
• Secure coding practices
• No vulnerable third-party scripts
• Encrypted storage for sensitive integrations
• Secure deployment process

Every theme, customization, and integration is tested for weaknesses before launch.

2. Quarterly Security and Performance Audits

We run thorough reviews to catch:

• Code vulnerabilities
• Suspicious scripts
• Inactive apps
• Slow endpoints
• API exposure
• Admin access leaks

You get a full health report and action plan to stay protected.

3. Safe Migration from Magento, WooCommerce, Shopify, or Custom Builds

When businesses migrate to BigCommerce, they often carry hidden risks with them.

We clean and secure:

• Customer databases
• Product data
• Order history
• Media files
• Integrations

This ensures no vulnerability follows you to BigCommerce.

4. Fraud Prevention and Checkout Optimization

We set up:

• Payment gateway risk rules
• Fraud scoring tools
• Bot protection
• Checkout security layers

This reduces chargebacks and protects your revenue.

5. Ongoing Monitoring and Support

Our support team watches:

• Traffic anomalies
• Checkout errors
• High-risk orders
• API crashes
• Third-party vulnerabilities

If something seems off, we catch it early.

Security Checklist for Every BigCommerce Merchant

A simple list you can use right away:

• Enable 2FA for all admins
• Restrict staff permissions
• Update app list quarterly
• Use HTTPS on all pages
• Secure API keys
• Train team on phishing
• Avoid weak passwords
• Use vetted apps only
• Enable fraud tools
• Set up regular platform audits

This keeps your store hardened against most ecommerce security threats.

The Future of E-Commerce Security on BigCommerce

Security is never finished. Threats evolve, attackers get smarter, and ecommerce becomes more complex.

BigCommerce continues to invest in:

• AI-powered threat detection
• Bot mitigation systems
• Better encryption standards
• Faster incident response
• Stronger API controls
• Zero-trust security frameworks

Their roadmap is heavily focused on advanced ecommerce security solutions, which means merchants get ongoing protection without extra effort.

Final Thoughts: Security Is the New Competitive Advantage

Customers shop where they feel safe. Search engines rank websites that are secure. Payment gateways trust merchants who handle data responsibly.

So, when your ecommerce security is strong, your entire business accelerates.

BigCommerce gives you the right tools. Commerce Pundit brings the expertise to use them wisely. If you want a future-ready store that’s fast, secure, and built for growth, it starts with tightening your security posture today.

Looking to secure or upgrade your BigCommerce store?

Our BigCommerce-certified experts can help you:

• Fix hidden vulnerabilities
• Improve checkout security
• Boost performance
• Implement best practices
• Build a conversion-ready, secure storefront

Talk to our BigCommerce team today and keep your store protected from every angle.

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