Securing Shared Kiosks: Risks and Best Practices for Organizations
Security has become one of the most critical aspects of any organization. Companies of all sizes need to take proactive measures to ensure that their systems and data are protected from unauthorized access, data breaches, and cyber threats. One area that often gets overlooked is the security of shared kiosks, which are prevalent in various industries, from healthcare to retail and manufacturing.
A shared kiosk is a computer workstation that is used by multiple users, such as employees or customers, to perform various tasks. These kiosks are often equipped with a single generic profile, which can be accessed by anyone who uses the workstation. This practice poses a significant security risk as there is no way to govern who accessed the system, what actions they performed, and what data they accessed.
Examples of industries that use shared workstations
- Healthcare organizations rely heavily on shared workstations to support clinical workflows.
- In manufacturing, shared workstations are often used to support shop floor operations, such as inventory management and quality control.
- Retail organizations often use kiosks to support customer interactions, such as self-checkout and product information lookup.
- According to a survey of IT professionals, 58% reported that their organization uses shared workstations, and 44% reported that their organization has experienced a security incident related to shared workstations.
Why is it important to keep Shared Kiosk Secure?
The importance of security in shared kiosks cannot be overstated. Unauthorized access to sensitive data or systems can have severe consequences, ranging from financial losses to legal liabilities and reputational damage.
One of the most significant risks associated with shared kiosks is unauthorized access to sensitive data. If a kiosk is not adequately secured, anyone who uses it can access confidential information, such as customer records, financial data, or intellectual property. This can lead to data breaches, identity theft, and other cyber threats, which can have far-reaching consequences.
Another risk associated with shared kiosks is malware infections. Malware can be introduced into a kiosk through various means, such as infected USB drives, phishing attacks, or malicious websites. Once a kiosk is infected, the malware can spread to other systems on the network, causing significant disruptions and data loss.
What can you do as an Organization?
To mitigate these risks, organizations must implement robust security measures to secure their shared kiosks. The following are some best practices for securing shared kiosks:
- Implement User Authentication – Instead of using a generic profile, each user should have their own login credentials to access the kiosk. This will ensure that only authorized users can access the system and perform actions. But creating multiple profiles can also be difficult for companies.
- Use Antivirus Software – Installing antivirus software on the kiosk can help prevent malware infections and protect the system from cyber threats.
- Regularly Update Software and Patches – Keeping the kiosk’s software up to date with the latest security patches and updates can help prevent vulnerabilities that can be exploited by hackers.
- Limit Access to Sensitive Data – Only authorized users should have access to sensitive data. Access controls can be used to limit access to data based on user roles and permissions.
- Monitor and Audit Access – Monitoring and auditing access to shared kiosks can help detect unauthorized access and prevent data breaches. This can be achieved through centralized platforms that track user activity.
How Tap N Go Can Help?
Our Tap N Go solution can help organizations secure their shared kiosks. The solution uses a generic profile to enter the kiosk and then Single Sign-On (SSO) the user onto applications while also capturing who entered the workstation on a centralized platform. This helps organizations maintain better control over who uses the kiosk, what actions they perform, and what data they access to.
Securing shared kiosks is essential to protect sensitive data and prevent cyber threats. Organizations should implement robust security measures such as user authentication, antivirus software, software updates, access controls, and monitoring and auditing access to prevent unauthorized access and data breaches. Tap N Go is an excellent solution that can help organizations secure their shared kiosks while also providing visibility and control over user activity.
