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GOVT GIRLS DEGREE COLLEGE QUARRY

ROAD QUETTA

COMMERCE

SUBMITTED TO: SIR RASHEED

SUBMITTED BY: SAHIBA

ASSIGNMENT: 2ND
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SECURITY THREATS TO ECOMMERCE

E-commerce has become increasingly popular in recent years, providing convenience
and accessibility to consumers worldwide. However, along with its benefits, there are
also various security threats that e-commerce platforms and users need to be aware of.
Here are some common security threats to e-commerce:

Data breaches: E-commerce platforms store a vast amount of customer data, including
personal and financial information. Data breaches can occur due to vulnerabilities in the
platform's security infrastructure or targeted attacks by hackers. Breached data can be
misused for identity theft, financial fraud, or sold on the dark web.

Payment card fraud: Online payment systems are a prime target for cybercriminals.
Payment card fraud can occur through various methods, such as phishing attacks,
skimming, or intercepting payment data during transmission. Stolen credit card details
can be used to make unauthorized purchases, leading to financial losses for both
consumers and merchants.

Phishing 8and social engineering: Phishing attacks involve tricking users into providing
sensitive information by masquerading as a legitimate entity, such as an e-commerce
website or a trusted payment service. Social engineering techniques can manipulate
users into revealing passwords, login credentials, or other personal information, which
can then be exploited for fraudulent purposes.

Malware and ransomware: Malicious software can infect e-commerce platforms or

users' devices, compromising security. Malware can steal sensitive information, log
keystrokes, or hijack sessions. Ransomware can encrypt important data and demand
payment for its release, disrupting operations and causing financial harm.

Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks: E-commerce websites are vulnerable to

DDoS attacks, where a large number of compromised devices overwhelm the server
infrastructure with excessive traffic, rendering the website inaccessible. DDoS attacks
can result in lost sales, damage to reputation, and increased operational costs.

Supply chain attacks: E-commerce platforms often rely on a complex network of

suppliers, logistics partners, and third-party vendors. Attackers may target the weakest
link in the supply chain to gain unauthorized access to the platform or compromise the
integrity of products, leading to fraudulent transactions or distribution of counterfeit
goods.

Session hijacking and man-in-the-middle attacks: Attackers can intercept and

manipulate data transmitted between users and e-commerce platforms, gaining
unauthorized access to user accounts, credit card details, or altering transactions. This
can be done through techniques like session hijacking, where an attacker steals a user's
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session identifier, or man-in-the-middle attacks, where the attacker positions

themselves between the user and the platform.

To mitigate these threats, e-commerce platforms and users should employ robust
security measures, such as implementing strong encryption, regularly updating
software and systems, using secure payment gateways, educating users about potential
risks, and monitoring for suspicious activities.

OPERATIONAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Operational resource management is a crucial aspect of e-commerce businesses. It
involves effectively managing and allocating various resources to ensure smooth
operations and optimize overall performance. Here are some key areas of operational
resource management in e-commerce:

Inventory Management: E-commerce businesses need to maintain appropriate levels of

inventory to fulfill customer orders without excessive stockouts or overstocking. This
involves forecasting demand, monitoring stock levels, implementing inventory control
techniques (such as just-in-time inventory), and using inventory management systems
to track and manage inventory efficiently.

Warehouse Management: E-commerce companies often operate warehouses or

distribution centers to store and manage their inventory. Effective warehouse
management involves optimizing layouts, implementing efficient picking and packing
processes, streamlining receiving and shipping procedures, and utilizing warehouse
management systems (WMS) to track and coordinate activities within the warehouse.

Order Fulfillment: Efficient order fulfillment is crucial for customer satisfaction. This
includes accurately processing orders, picking and packing products, coordinating
shipments with logistics partners, and providing timely and transparent order tracking
information. E-commerce businesses need to optimize their fulfillment processes to
minimize errors, reduce order-to-delivery times, and handle returns effectively.

Supply Chain Management: Managing the end-to-end supply chain is vital for e-
commerce success. It involves coordinating with suppliers, negotiating contracts,
ensuring timely deliveries, and monitoring supplier performance. Effective supply chain
management minimizes lead times, reduces costs, and improves overall product
availability and quality.

Customer Service: Providing excellent customer service is essential in e-commerce. This

involves managing customer inquiries, resolving issues promptly, and maintaining good
communication channels through various channels like live chat, email, or phone. E-
commerce businesses need to allocate resources to customer service teams and
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leverage customer relationship management (CRM) tools to track customer interactions

and enhance customer satisfaction.

Technology Infrastructure: E-commerce operations rely heavily on technology.

Managing and maintaining the technology infrastructure, including e-commerce
platforms, website hosting, payment gateways, and other systems, is critical for smooth
operations. Resource allocation for IT support, system upgrades, cybersecurity
measures, and infrastructure scalability is necessary to ensure the stability and security
of the e-commerce business.

Analytics and Performance Monitoring: E-commerce businesses should leverage data

analytics to monitor key performance metrics, such as website traffic, conversion rates,
customer behavior, and sales trends. By allocating resources to analytics tools and
personnel, businesses can gain valuable insights, make data-driven decisions, and
continuously optimize their operations for better performance.

Overall, operational resource management in e-commerce involves effective allocation

of inventory, warehouse facilities, logistics, technology, and customer service resources
to ensure efficient and successful online operations. By optimizing these areas, e-
commerce businesses can enhance customer satisfaction, improve operational
efficiency, and drive growth.

Standard forms of e-commerce infrastructure:

Standard forms of e-commerce infrastructure typically include the following
components:

E-commerce Website: A user-friendly and visually appealing website that serves as the
online storefront for the e-commerce business. It should have features like product
listings, shopping cart functionality, secure payment gateways, and order management
systems.

Product Catalog: A centralized database or content management system (CMS) that

stores and organizes the product information, including descriptions, prices, images,
and inventory levels.

Shopping Cart: An interactive feature that allows customers to select products, add
them to a virtual shopping cart, and proceed to checkout. It should provide options for
updating quantities, removing items, and applying discounts or coupons.
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Payment Gateway: A secure online payment system that facilitates the transfer of funds
between the customer, the e-commerce website, and the merchant's bank account.
Common payment gateways include PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net.

Order Management System: A backend system that manages the processing and
fulfillment of customer orders. It includes features like order tracking, inventory
management, shipping integration, and customer communication.

Customer Relationship Management (CRM): A system for managing customer data,

tracking interactions, and maintaining customer relationships. It may include features
like customer profiles, purchase history, personalized marketing, and customer support
ticketing.

Security Measures: Robust security measures, such as SSL certificates, encryption

protocols, and firewalls, to ensure secure online transactions and protect customer data.

Analytics and Reporting: Tools for tracking and analyzing website traffic, user behavior,
conversion rates, and sales performance. This data helps businesses make informed
decisions and optimize their e-commerce strategies.

Mobile Optimization: The ability of the e-commerce infrastructure to provide a seamless

user experience across different devices, including smartphones and tablets.

Integration Capabilities: The ability to integrate with third-party services and

applications, such as shipping carriers, accounting software, inventory management
systems, and marketing platforms.

These components form the foundation of a standard e-commerce infrastructure, but

the specific implementation may vary depending on the business requirements, scale,
and industry.
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