3 Reasons to STOP Using Windows XP for Your Point of Sale Business

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If you’re using a Windows XP Point of Sale (POS) solution for your business, there are 3 BIG reasons to stop doing so ASAP:

  • Compliance

Your system must be compliant with the PCI DSS (PCI Security Council’s Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard) standards, which includes the software being updateable. As of April 2014, Windows XP was no longer updated or supported. If your company is out of compliance, you could face stiff fees and penalties costing your company time and money. Here’s a helpful guide to PCI Security Compliance FAQ’s to help you navigate what is needed for your company to be up to speed.

 

  • Vulnerability

In 2014, both Target and Home Depot faced a major security breach due to utilizing outdated Windows XP Software. Had they upgraded, they could’ve avoided over $100 million in credit card losses.

 

  • Competition

Consumers are far more protective of their credit cards than they used to be.  Many refuse to put in a PIN opting to click “credit only” to avoid releasing any more information than they have to. Customers look for the shops that make grabbing their morning cup of Joe quick and easy such as using the swipe of their smartphone for purchases.  Using an outdated POS makes a customer wary of using your services for fear of a security breach (and rightly so…)

Proper Disposal of Hardware

Now that you’re on board with updating, what do you do with your old hardware? Don’t just toss it in the landfill, not only is it illegal, but it is a HUGE security risk and leaves your customers vulnerable. Even if you think you’ve wiped the hard drive clean, it’s better to be safe than sorry.  SecurShred offers Hard-Drive destruction that guarantees all of your sensitive data is properly disposed of. Talk to us and we’ll be happy to take care of your hardware securely.