I’m working on an e-commerce project and we’ve hit a snag. The client is worried about sharing their merchant account info with us devs. They’re afraid we might see customer data.
We’re almost ready to launch, but this privacy issue is holding us back. We’ll be maintaining the site on their servers, so we’ll have access to the files anyway.
Any ideas on how to handle this? How can we build trust or set up a system that keeps merchant details private while still letting us do our job?
have u considered using a third-party payment gateway? they handle all the sensitive merchant stuff, so u dont have to worry bout seeing any of it. plus, it adds an extra layer of security for everyone involved.
also, maybe suggest setting up a seperate admin panel for the client to manage their own account details? that way they stay in control of thir info.
As someone who’s dealt with similar situations, I can offer a few suggestions. First, consider implementing role-based access control (RBAC) on the server. This way, you can limit your access to only the necessary parts of the system, excluding sensitive merchant data. Another option is to use a staging environment that mimics the production setup but contains dummy data. This allows you to develop and maintain without exposure to real customer information. Lastly, you could propose a contract that includes strict confidentiality clauses and penalties for breaches. This can help reassure the client of your commitment to data privacy. Remember, building trust is crucial in these situations, so open communication about your security practices is key.
I totally get where your client is coming from. Privacy’s a big deal these days! Have you thought about using encryption for the sensitive stuff? That way, even if you guys have access to the files, you can’t actually read the important bits without the key.
Maybe you could set up a system where the client enters their merchant info directly into the database, bypassing you completely? That way, you never see it at all.
Oh, and what about having an independent security audit done? Might help put their mind at ease if a third party gives you the thumbs up.
Just curious - have you guys had any close calls with data breaches before? It’d be interesting to hear how other devs handle this kind of thing.