Driving the Future of Fuel and C-Store Retail: Mako Networks as the Foundation for Innovation

By Simon Gamble, President & CRO, Mako Networks

As we head into 2025, the fuel and convenience store (C-store) industry stands at a critical crossroads. The convergence of cyber threats, the rapid adoption of new technologies, and the demand for seamless customer experiences are reshaping the retail landscape. For CIOs, the stakes couldn’t be higher. According to a recent Gartner survey and IntelligentCIO, security and compliance remain top priorities for over 80% of CIOs in retail—and for good reason.

The Wave of Cyber Threats

Cyber threats within retail have surged by over 40% in the past two years (according to VPN Alert), with hackers increasingly targeting point-of-sale (POS) systems, third-party vendor relationships, and customer data. The modern fuel and C-store ecosystem—with its blend of physical and virtual operations—is uniquely vulnerable. Every connected device, from fuel dispensers to mobile payment terminals, represents a potential entry point for bad actors.

New technologies bring tremendous opportunities, but they also amplify risks. Without a secure, always-on infrastructure, these vulnerabilities can lead to devastating consequences for both operations and reputation.

The Evolving Role of the CIO: Balancing Innovation and Reliability

In 2025, the CIO’s role has evolved far beyond managing IT systems. Today’s CIOs are tasked with integrating AI, driving digital transformation, and merging physical and virtual environments to create innovative customer experiences. But here’s the catch: None of that can happen without a rock-solid foundation. Simply put, you can’t innovate if the store isn’t online.

At Mako Networks, we understand that the #1 priority for fuel and C-store operators is ensuring everything in the store works seamlessly. Downtime is no longer acceptable. A down site isn’t just an IT issue—it’s a business problem, one that impacts revenue, customer satisfaction, and brand trust. That’s why we’ve built our solutions to eliminate estate-wide outages and keep your operations running smoothly.

Moving Beyond “Bolt-On” Solutions

The fuel and C-store industry has long been notorious for “bolting on” new devices whenever innovation is needed. This piecemeal approach often results in a tangled web of outdated systems, creating inefficiencies and vulnerabilities. Take POS updates as an example: It used to be standard practice to experience an hour of downtime during a system upgrade. Not anymore.

Mako’s technology has built-in cloud-based scalability where you can easily add new sites, devices, or services without re-engineering the network. It accounts for interoperability for seamless integration.

Mako’s PCI-certified network management solutions ensure minimal downtime during updates, so your business stays operational even as you adopt the latest technologies. Our live network diagram feature provides real-time visibility into every device connected to your network, and the new CMS feature, Periscope allows for any third-party system with a web-interface to be securely controlled remotely, enabling proactive monitoring and faster troubleshooting.

Striking the Balance Between Frictionless CX and Security

Today’s customers demand frictionless experiences. Whether it’s paying for fuel via a mobile app or purchasing snacks through a self-checkout kiosk, speed and convenience are non-negotiable. However, this push for a seamless customer journey must not come at the expense of security. The challenge lies in striking the right balance.

At Mako Networks, we’ve designed our solutions to prioritize both. Our multi-layered security framework protects your network from external threats while ensuring that your in-store technologies deliver a smooth and reliable customer experience. By centralizing network management and providing robust security protocols, we give CIOs the confidence to innovate without compromising on safety.

Building the Foundation for 2025 and Beyond

As we look ahead, the future of the fuel and C-store industry will be defined by its ability to embrace digital transformation while mitigating risks. From AI-driven insights to the integration of IoT devices, the opportunities are endless—but only if your infrastructure is up to the task.

We’ve spent years addressing the unique challenges of the fuel and C-store industry. Our cloud-managed solutions provide the foundation that enables innovation, security, and operational excellence. Here’s how:

Mako’s Centralized Management System (CMS) ensures that you and your team have real-time insight and control over your network.  Our technology ensures your sites remain online and operational. Mako cloud-managed networking technology delivers what multi-site retailers need, including:

• Automated failover to secondary connections in case of primary link failure.
• Proactive monitoring to detect and resolve issues before they affect operations.
• Zero-touch provisioning for rapid deployment of devices.

Our solutions ensure that operations continue without interruption and provide visibility and control to you.

Mako’s PCI-certified network solutions ensure compliance with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). Key security features include:

• Templated Architecture: Ensures networks are configured consistently and incorporate change control.
• Role Aware Cloud Management: Empowering the right people with the right levels of access.
• Segmentation: Isolates sensitive data and devices from other parts of the network, minimizing exposure.

At Mako Networks, we’re proud to be the foundation that empowers this transformation. With our focus on uptime, security, and scalability, we’re enabling fuel and C-store operators to stay ahead of the curve while delivering exceptional customer experiences. Together, let’s drive the future of retail innovation.

To learn more about how Mako Networks can future-proof your fuel and C-store operations, contact us today.