Importance of Website Security

Why is it important for your website to be secure?

Like networks, computers, and other devices connected to the internet; Websites are unfortunately just as prone to security risks. Most businesses aren’t aware their website is at risk and what the consequences are if they are hacked. In addition to that, small businesses may not think they are large enough to be noticed by hackers but that is far from the truth.

Below are a few of the reasons why it’s important to have a secure website.

• To protect your users and customers from threats.
  • Some of the most important aspects of website security are for protecting the users of your website. If the proper encryptions aren’t implemented; communications between your website, you, and your customers are at risk. The encryptions help protect your customers’ computer from attack.
• To protect your company’s name or brand.
  • Your website is typically the first contact a customer has with your business. If the proper steps aren’t taken to ensure their first experience is a good one, that customer could be lost forever.
  • If your website is compromised or if your security plan is not complete, hackers can impersonate a business for malicious purposes, damaging the business reputation.
  • Hackers can cause costly down time which indicates to a customer that your services are not stable.
• To prevent data theft and avoid fines.
  • If your business is required to be compliant with HIPAA or PCI regulations, it is extremely important your website is secure to prevent loss of sensitive information.

Here are some recommendations to help secure your website.

• Implement and Enforce an Internet and Website Usage Policy.
  • Many hacks occur due to improper use of the internet by employees.
• Choose your services and software carefully.
  • A reliable and reputable web hosting provider should be chosen to ensure their system is secure. The platform your website runs on should also have up-to-date security features.
• Avoid writing your own security protocols.
  • There are numerous and different measures needed to fully secure a website. Only use software and encryption implementations already written by experts and patched by the software community.
• Don’t expose things to the internet that don’t need to be internet facing.
• Use secure passwords.
  • When possible, always use additional authentication. Multi-factor authentication is commonly used when updating websites.
• Keep software and protocols up to date.
  • Always make sure that updates are implemented for software and protocols. These are provided to patch holes in existing software to better protect the information from threats.

If you have concerns with the security of your website, contact your Web Design team or Website Host for the most up to date information.