Shop Smart, Stay Secure: Cyber Essentials for Retailers in Malta
- Efrem Borg
- Apr 29
- 4 min read
Updated: May 15
Malta's retail scene is vibrant, competitive and increasingly digital. Whether you're running a retail shop in Valletta or Sliema, a chain of supermarkets, or a thriving eCommerce store, your operations rely on technology more than ever before.
But with opportunity comes risk.
Retailers are now prime targets for cybercriminals. Why? Because you hold what they want: cardholder data, customer details, employee information, supplier portals and usually with just enough IT support to keep things running, not necessarily secure.
Just ask Marks & Spencer. In April 2025, the British retail giant suffered a major cyberattack that disrupted contactless payments, online orders, and click-and-collect services across all 1,049 UK stores. The attack, linked to the Scattered Spider hacking group, involved ransomware and compromised critical systems, leading to significant operational challenges and a nearly £700 million drop in market valuation.
Here are 7 practical, non-technical tips retail leaders can take right now to harden their digital storefronts and protect business continuity.
1. Enforce Strong Passwords—And Don’t Rely on Memory
Still using "Valletta2023!" across multiple systems? You're not alone, but that has to stop. Enforce strong password policies using a Password Policy Manager that requires long, complex passwords, with periodic rotation and lockouts after failed attempts. Pair it with a Password Manager for staff so they don't need to remember (or worse, write down) passwords.
Quick win: Ban the 25 most common passwords across your systems.
2. Get Serious About Email Threats
Retailers are constantly bombarded with phishing emails pretending to be suppliers, shipping updates, or payment requests. One wrong click and you're dealing with a ransomware infection or data breach. Invest in advanced email protection, tools that scan links and attachments in real time, block spoofing attempts, and use machine learning to spot suspicious behaviour.
Tip: Train staff monthly with simulated phishing campaigns. It works.
3. Two-Factor Everything, Anything
If you're relying on just usernames and passwords to access systems, you're living dangerously. Add Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) everywhere you can: point-of-sale systems, staff portals, business email accounts, and remote access tools.
Think of 2FA like the deadbolt on your shop’s front door. It’s basic, but essential.
4. Tighten Your Firewall Rules
Your firewall isn’t just a digital doorman—it needs clear instructions. Many retail networks are too “open,” allowing unnecessary traffic between branches, suppliers, or devices. That creates risk. Ask your IT Support to review your firewall rules regularly, segment your network, and block outbound connections that aren’t needed.
Bonus: Set up alerts for unusual outbound traffic. It's often the first sign of malware calling home.
5. Don't Ignore Software Updates
From POS terminals to back-office systems, software vulnerabilities are a major weak point. Unpatched systems are low-hanging fruit for attackers. Set up automated patching where possible and maintain a schedule to update devices regularly, including printers and network equipment.
Old firmware is the digital equivalent of a faulty lock on your warehouse door.
6. Protect Customer Data Like It's Your Stockroom
Are you collecting more customer data than you need? Are you storing it longer than necessary? Under GDPR and consumer trust expectations, that’s risky.
Store customer data securely and sparingly. Encrypt it at rest and in transit. And never use real data in testing environments.
Data minimisation = lower exposure when breaches happen.
7. Have a Plan for When Things Go Wrong
Even the best defences can fail. What matters is how quickly you respond. Do you know who to call? How to isolate a threat? What to tell customers? Develop a simple incident response plan. Practice it twice a year with your staff. Make sure backups are tested and offline.
A cyber incident during peak season could be more damaging than a fire.
Bonus: Make Backups Your Secret Weapon
When all else fails, your backups are your get-out-of-jail-free card—but only if they’re done right. Make sure you:
Back up critical systems daily (or more frequently for high-turnover data).
Keep at least one backup offline (not connected to the main network).
Test restoring from backups regularly (it’s shocking how many fail when needed most).
Think of backups like insurance: you pray you never need them, but you sleep better knowing they’re there.
The Bottom Line
You don’t need a massive IT department to stay secure, you need the right mindset and some focused action. By taking these seven steps, you’ll be raising the bar well above the average retailer in Malta, making it that much harder for attackers to succeed.
Need help figuring out where to start? That’s what we’re here for.
Join the Conversation
We’d love to hear your thoughts, how are you securing your retail operations? What cybersecurity measures have worked best for your store, and where are you facing challenges? Share your experiences in the comments below or connect with us directly.
For more insights on cybersecurity and digital resilience for businesses in Malta, explore our blog at unDisrupted.net, or follow us on LinkedIn. 📖
You might also find value in our recent article, NIS2 in Malta: Strengthening Cybersecurity for Maltese Entities, which explains how our assessments support long-term compliance and operational confidence.
At unDisrupted, we offer a wide range of tailored Information Security Professional Services designed to enhance your organisation’s cybersecurity posture and protect your operations against emerging threats. 📩 If you’re ready to take the first step toward clarity, alignment, and resilience, reach out to us at hello@undisrupted.net or call us on +356 79464820.
🔗 Learn more about our services: https://www.unDisrupted.net/professional-services
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