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Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is rapidly gaining traction among various sectors globally. By deploying bots to automate repetitive tasks, it is helping enterprises save time and money while improving productivity and efficiency.

As is true with any other technology, implementing RPA is tricky. RPA robots (bots) maneuver sensitive data, transferring it across multiple systems, moving from one task to another. During this process, a lack of data security can expose sensitive information and cost the enterprises dearly.

Without proper security measures, sensitive data such as customer information or bot credentials can be easily exposed to hackers. Robust security frameworks and governance are essential in mitigating such risks.

Ensuring security in RPA is essentially a four-step action plan, that is-

1. Setting accountability for bot actions-

The pandemic got enterprises rushing to deploy RPA solutions to reduce costs by automating simpler tasks. During this haste, what they didn’t realize was the difference between bot identities and bot operators, and thus there was no accountability set for bot actions.

To keep the RPA security tight, ensure dedicated credentials and assign a unique ID to every RPA bot and process. Enterprises can additionally implement a human-to-system two-factor authentication which requires a username and password.

2. Preventing frauds from break-in-

When it comes to RPA Implementation, an increase in account privileges leads to an increase in the risk of fraud. The security team should ensure that each bot has access only to the particular task it has been assigned. For instance, if a bot is assigned the task of copying certain values from the database and pasting them somewhere else, it should be allowed to do just that, i.e. have read-only access instead of read and write.

3. Protecting log integrity-

If and when an RPA system fails, the security team reviews the logs to narrow down the problem. Therefore, the RPA solution must provide a proper and complete system-generated log without any breaches, or else it can hamper the investigation.

4. Enabling secure RPA development-

RPA development is not a one-time process and keeps changing with the dynamic needs and requirements of the business. To speed up the RPA development process, enterprises pay no heed to the security threats until the system is up and running.

It is crucial to establish regular cadences and proactive communication between the security team and the business team leading the RPA initiative. This involves drafting a risk framework that evaluates RPA’s tools individually and as a whole. Along with a special focus on the business logic vulnerabilities, keep testing and reviewing the RPA scripts periodically.

Digital transformation has indeed exposed all kinds of industries to various cyber-attacks and as such security should be taken seriously. Neebal helps proper implementation of RPA in organizations while protecting it from all kinds of security risks. Contact us today to implement RPA the right way!

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