Is your website more vulnerable to attack than you think?
The hard truth is that you simply can’t afford to leave your website unprotected. If you do, you could be risking it all – your data, your customer's trust, and your brand’s reputation. While Cybersecurity can feel like a real headache, it's actually not as difficult as it sounds, and in this piece will help you create an actionable plan to keep your website and data secure.
Dissecting Web Security
Website security describes everything that protects your online presence against a wide ranging series of threats posed against it. From malware to phishing scams, sadly the internet is home to countless nefarious individuals and companies who seek to exploit cyber weaknesses for profit. Here’s a list of specific security-related issues that you should be aware of:
SSL certificates
are the bedrock of data protection. SSL certificates encrypt data to make it unreadable to anyone but the intended recipient.
Password Protection
Always use strong passwords and good practices such as regularly changing them and never repeating the same ones for multiple systems.
Security Updates
Keep your site up to date and ensure that your platform, whichever one you’ve chosen to use, has all the latest security updates installed.
Continual Monitoring & Detection
Monitoring and detection tools and software are security guards of the internet. Such tools have the power to quickly flag-up potential threats and recommend which action that you should take against them.
Firewalls
Firewalls are your first line of defence against cybercriminals. They monitor traffic and block any attempts at unauthorised access.
Backups
Regular backups are incredibly important. A bug or hack can put a huge spanner in the works, but if you’ve got a recent backup you can get up and running again quickly.
Hosting Provider
The hosting provider you choose to stage your site can play an important role in web security. Use a provider with a solid track record of offering secure platforms and services.
Coding Practices
Seek professional help with your web coding to ensure that there are no vulnerabilities.
Compliance and Privacy
GDPR is more important than ever. Be sure to follow all relevant guidance and reassure your visitors that you comply by stating so.
Team Strategies
All team members must be aware of security protocols and good practices. Schedule in security sessions to keep everyone up to date on the latest security advice.
Site Security FAQs
1. What is the most common web security threat that you should be aware of?
The most common cyber threat to your site is malware. Malware seeks to exploit vulnerabilities in your site and can corrupt it to steal data.
2. How often should you create a backup of your site?
Backup your site at least once per week, plus before and after any significant updates you make.
3. Do you need an SSL certificate?
Yes, SSL certificates are really important because they build trust with your customers and they encrypt data including personal details and payment information.
4. Do password policies make a difference to security?
Certainly. Be sure to put in place a robust password policy that all team members are aware of. Remember that it only takes one site breach using a stolen password to cause untold damage.
5. How should you keep your team informed about web security?
Conduct regular training sessions that cover all the relevant aspects of security. Encourage a culture of security awareness and remember that there’s no quick fix when it comes to cyber security. Keep all team members informed and be proactive in the face of security threats.
