Building Cyber Resilience for a Retail MSME in India

Building Cyber Resilience for a Retail MSME in India

Client Profile

  • Client: Regional retail chain
  • Location: Outlets across Maharashtra and Karnataka in India
  • Sector: FMCG

The Situation

As part of its business modernisation, the client adopted a cloud-based billing system, enabled UPI and mobile wallet payments, and launched a basic e-commerce portal. However, this digital push came without a formal cybersecurity foundation.

Key risks observed:

  • Shared login credentials and no endpoint protection on PoS systems
  • Customer phone numbers and invoices stored on unsecured desktops
  • E-commerce admin portal accessed without MFA or audit logs
  • Lack of vendor oversight for payment gateway integration
  • Staff unaware of phishing, fake refund links, or social engineering tactics
  • No data backup policy or breach handling mechanism

With growing customer expectations, regulatory scrutiny, and exposure to digital payment frauds, the client needed a basic but effective Information Security Risk Management Framework that suited their scale and budget.

Our Response

MitKat designed and implemented a cost-effective, MSME-specific cyber risk program with a focus on practical controls, awareness, and minimal disruption to daily retail operations.

Key Interventions:

  • Risk Mapping: Identified digital touchpoints (billing, CRM, e-comm, payment, WhatsApp orders) and associated threats
  • Policy Drafting: Developed Acceptable Use Policy, Data Handling Guidelines, and Incident Response Flow
  • Endpoint Security: Installed AV and enabled local system encryption on all cashier and admin terminals
  • Cloud Access Control: Implemented MFA and limited backend access to store managers and owners only
  • Staff Training: Conducted cyber hygiene workshops for store and warehouse staff
  • Data Backups: Set up automated cloud backups for sales and customer data
  • Vendor Review: Audited third-party billing and payment providers for security compliance

Outcome

In just few working days, the client experienced a notable improvement in their cybersecurity posture:

  • Key critical cyber risks resolved, including customer data leakage points
  • All PoS and admin systems secured with AV and basic monitoring
  • Staff across 25 stores trained, leading to detection of phishing attempts within days
  • Payment systems hardened, reducing refund fraud risk
  • Data recovery readiness achieved, with weekly backups and access logs
  • Foundational security culture established, without overhauling retail operations

MitKat’s MSME-focused cyber risk approach enabled a fast-growing retail chain to move from informal, vulnerable practices to a secure, digitally-ready posture, mitigating immediate risks while building long-term customer and data trust.

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