Many businesses nowadays collect a lot of data. It forces owners to find different ways to automate their operations. There are some operations that companies can automate. They include data entry, lead tracking and management, customer communication, etc. 

It makes them look for an alternative. That’s when most of them rely on CRM (Customer Relationship Management). CRM software helps businesses improve customer retention and relationships. They aggregate data in one place using different strategies and technologies. 

What is SSL(Secure Sockets Layer)?

SSL is an internet security protocol that protects server and client communication. It encrypts all the data using different encryption methods. 

There are different types of sensitive data:

• Personal information like emails, names, and physical addresses.
• Health information,i.e., health insurance details, disease, etc.
• Legal data, e.g., case details.
• Financial information, i.e., credit card details, credit ratings, etc. 

Different types of SSL certificates are available. It depends on the level of security and the number of domains (sites) needing protection. 

You can buy SSL certificates from different Certificate Authorities (CAs). Essential SSL/TLS certificates are quite popular due to quick issuance and ease of use.

There is an SSL myth that only e-commerce websites need an SSL certificate, which is untrue. Ensure you have an SSL certificate installed on your website. Buy Essential SSL certificates for affordable data security and privacy.

How to Tell if Your CRM is SSL Enabled

Users can tell if their favorite CRM platform is SSL enabled in several ways. Some of the signs include:

• Checking the site URL structure. Ensure the website URL starts with “https://. If it is “http://, your platform doesn’t have an SSL certificate enabled. Most browsers nowadays use a padlock icon to indicate. If the platform lacks a padlock, it shows that it lacks an SSL certificate.
• Using online tools. Several online tools allow users to paste the platform URL. They will let you know if the SSL certificate exists or not.
• Check the SSL indicators. Hover over the URL and check for the indicators. Check the business name, logo, and other related information.
• Contact the website owner. If you are unsure about the SSL status or if the first three methods won’t work.

As CRM platforms face increasing cyber threats, understanding external attack surface management becomes crucial. This approach helps in identifying and mitigating the vulnerabilities that exist when data traverses between servers and clients. While SSL provides encryption for data transmission, external management of potential attack vectors further strengthens a CRM’s security posture.

3 Ways in Which an SSL Protects a CRM 

There are several ways an SSL ensures data security and privacy in CRM. They include:

1. Encryption

SSL uses public key infrastructure. It consists of two keys(private and public keys). We use the keys for encryption and decryption. It uses different encryption algorithms. They include the RSA Algorithm, AES (Advanced Encryption Standard), and DES (Digital Encryption Standard). The algorithms have different numbers of features and keys. 

For asymmetric encryption, a public key is used for encryption and a private key for decryption. Whereas symmetric encryption uses the same key for both encryption and decryption purposes.

2. Protects Data Backups

Most CRMs have frequent backups to save their data for easier retrieval in case of a data breach. Most companies use cloud platforms for their backups. SSL will offer extra protection to your data to prevent any unauthorized access. 

3. Authentication

SSL collects all the data about users and devices when someone visits the CRM platform. When there is an issue with the website, users will not be allowed to visit the platform. SSL uses the handshake method during communication. 

6 Data Security Threats to SSL-Enabled CRM Systems

There are different data security threats that an SSL-enabled CRM protects users from. Most of the threats are normal cybersecurity risks. Using an SSL protects the CRM platform from all cyber threats. Some of the common data security threats are as follows:

1. Phishing

Phishing involves using different practices to influence human behavior. Cybercriminals send emails or messages to users that look like legitimate users. It allows them to provide hackers with sensitive data, such as CRM login data. 

Once they get the data, they manipulate different actions, with the main target being the data. Most users fall for the phishing trick. Most of them find it hard to differentiate between fake and real sources.

2. Malware

Image from  Michael Geiger Unsplash Showing an Image of a Possible Malware

Malware is a malicious code that attacks a CRM system and affects normal functioning. 

3. DDOS(Denial of Service) attacks

When hackers notice that your CRM does not have an SSL certificate enabled. They create a lot of fake traffic towards the platform. Making it hard for employers or users to access. It causes downtime, making it hard for normal operations to continue. 

4. SQL Injections

SQL injections are a type of cyber attack that targets the database. It provides the hackers with unauthorized access to the databases. They get the chance to manipulate and steal overall data. 

They run different malicious codes on the database. Enabling them to modify, edit, or delete any data under the CRM platform.

5. Social Engineering 

Hackers use tricks to get sensitive information from users, such as logins. They make them click on links and other interactions. After getting the data, they can use different methods to spread malware to all the users.

6. Man in the Middle Attacks

It is one of the primary attacks on CRM without the SSL-enabled feature. Cybercriminals intercept the communication between two users. They behave as if they are legitimate when they are not. Once they intercept the communication, they steal all the sensitive data without detection.

7. Identity Theft

Hackers can access and steal the CRM data. They can later use the data to commit different types of fraud. Most of the fraud they commit includes unauthorized transactions. Which leaves the users with a damaged reputation and bad credit.

They also commit other forms of identity theft. They also use social security, tax, and medical data for fraud. They apply for credit cards, get free medical treatment, and bad tax filing.

8. Internal Issues

Many actions happen behind the scenes when dealing with the data. It’s your employees who work with the data. Failure to have proper policies and privileges can expose your data to hackers.

Employees who use weak passwords and other errors can mess up security. A lot of negligence happens inside your teams, and you must be very careful.

8 Benefits of Using a CRM with an SSL Protection

There are benefits when you ensure a secure data exchange with SSL with your CRM. Some of them include:

1. Meeting Regulatory Requirements

Several data regulatory bodies ensure that businesses comply with all the data regulations. Failure to comply leads to fines or even closure of business.
Using a CRM with an SSL makes it easier to comply with regulatory bodies. It promotes all the required data security and privacy. It protects all the sensitive data by using different encryption algorithms.
Implementing tools to manage DSAR (Data Subject Access Requests) is crucial for meeting regulatory requirements, and adhering to GDPR requirements.

2. Gaining Trust Among Your Users

When your customers know that your company secures data exchange with SSL. They believe in you since there are no cases of data breaches. Most data breaches ruin your company’s reputation due to public criticism. 

Most customers can also notice if a business uses an SSL certificate. They look at the padlock on your URL address bar. It shows how credible your business is, earning more trust.

3. Prevents Finance Loss and Legal cases

Using an SSL certificate protects all sensitive data CRMs handle from cyber attacks. Cyberattacks like ransomware demand a ransom for you to get your data back. After paying, they won’t make it public.

It prevents any lawsuits from users who lost data during a breach. When found guilty, many platforms may end up paying billions of fines to their users. 

4. Prevents Data Loss

SSL uses encryption algorithms to protect all sensitive data that the CRM handles, effectively reducing top causes of data breaches reported by Fortinet. It protects sensitive information from cyber attacks that could lead to data loss.

To further enhance your data collection and analysis, consider using a web scraping tool.

5. Service Disruption

When you use a CRM platform that is SSL-enabled. There are lower chances of service disruption due to a data breach. CRM runs some of the crucial aspects of a business. 

Some aspects get affected, and there is a chance of service disruption. The factors include customer management, leads, etc.

6. Secure Accessibility

Since the introduction of remote work in the COVID-19 era. Some companies still use it as the primary work mode. They have team members who still work remotely on various aspects of the business. 

You must select a CRM that has an SSL, as it guarantees secure data exchange between teams. Failure to choose a secure CRM leads to hackers accessing your business data. Leading to unauthorized access to your company data.

7. Beat Your Competitors

CRM providers have different features. You will get more customers when your competitor faces a data breach.

Your commitment to data security will show how serious you are. It will lead to more users and revenue. More users will join your CRM and run from insecure providers.

8. Rank Higher on Search Rankings

When search engines like Google and Bing realize that your CRM has SSL enabled. It rewards it by ranking higher when users search for relevant terms. It means you care for the users, and most of them will end up working with you. 

It will also push the engines to trust you, showing you to more users and leading to more revenue and customers.

9 Best Security Practices for CRM Platforms to Keep Data Safe

CRM platforms can use several practices to keep users’ data safe. They are as follows:

1. Buy an SSL Certificate

An SSL certificate encrypts all the communication, preventing unauthorized access. SSL makes it hard for cybercriminals to access your data. It makes it hard for hackers to find ways to steal your data. 

Ensure the use of HTTPS protocols when performing any data exchange. Especially when working with third-party applications.

2. Do Proper Research When Selecting Your CRM Provider

There are many CRM platforms all over the internet. For example, the United States boasts about 1,383 providers. 

There are many reviews online and videos that one can watch. Avoid the ones that have had data breaches before. Select the one with the best security features and an SSL certificate to protect your data.

3. Regular Data Backups

CRM handles a lot of data, making data backup plans compulsory. Backups can help you recover or assume normal functioning in a data breach or loss. 

There are different options for backups, either manual or automatic. We have cloud backup providers where you can buy storage. Others even support automatic backup.

Set up better data backup restoration methods and test them. Ensure they work to prevent any issues during the restoration period.

4. Perform Regular Updates

Regular improvements are especially making the platform secure when there are new features. Updates fix any security bugs and vulnerabilities in your CRM software. Most updates occur after a certain period. 

5. Use Stronger Passwords

Insist on the use of stronger passwords to access the CRM platform. Insist on providing other extra forms of authentication like multi-factor authentication. It requires users to provide additional security methods. It makes it hard for third-party users to access your CRM account. Use techniques like OTP, biometrics, etc. 

6. Create Awareness

Create awareness of the importance of data security. Create resources and pay for courses that educate them on the topic. Buy classes and books for them and include them in your company culture. Create awareness by educating them on their roles and responsibilities.

7. Manage Access Controls

Manage all access to your data on your CRM platform. Create user roles and ensure everyone can access data according to their roles.  Revoke access to anyone who does not work for you or any fired employee. When working with a larger team, ensure the teams can only have access to certain areas.

Conclusion

Ensuring secure data exchange with SSL when dealing with CRM platforms is essential. It has several benefits. SSL-enabled CRM protects sensitive data and increases trust among your users. 

Every CRM should be secure. By having this feature on your CRM, you have a guarantee of getting many users. Many of them will be looking for the SSL feature on your platform.