Every business owner must secure their website today. Many people don’t consider this among the highest business risks, but it can be. Imagine waking up one morning to find the website has been defaced or is no longer operational due to a denial-of-service attack. The site may fall victim to a watering hole attack, or sensitive data may be compromised.
No business owner wants to deal with these issues, so website security is essential. The business’s reputation may be harmed or destroyed if information security is compromised. Every business should take the following steps to reduce the risk of an attack.
Domain Ecosystems
The business owner must review the registrar and DNS records to ensure they are correct. Many people keep the passwords provided by the DNS and domain registrar, which is a mistake. Cybercriminals frequently attack systems using default credentials, and these attacks can be easily avoided by changing passwords. Multifactor authentication is another way to secure the domain ecosystems.
User Accounts
Multifactor authentication is necessary for all accounts but should be prioritized for those with privileged access. A business owner should regularly review these accounts and disable any that are no longer needed. Most business owners follow the principle of least privilege.
Scan for Vulnerabilities
Regular scans should be conducted to identify critical and high-priority vulnerabilities. Any vulnerabilities found should be patched within 15 days. Business owners must look for configuration and software vulnerabilities and enable automatic updates to address these issues. Unsupported devices and applications should be replaced.
Data in Transit
Many people continue to use the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) and have yet to upgrade to HTTPS, which includes HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS). They should do so immediately to ensure communications are encrypted, and weak ciphers should also be disabled.
Backup Data
Every company needs an automatic backup solution to ensure critical data and system configurations can be recovered following an attack. This backup media should not be stored on the company premises. A safe and physically remote location provides the highest level of security. Additionally, the company should regularly conduct disaster recovery scenario tests.
Web Applications
Business owners should identify the most significant application security risks and address them promptly. Once these vulnerabilities have been addressed, proceed to the next group until all problems have been resolved. Website logs should be sent to a centralized server for review and analysis. These logs help uncover security concerns and unauthorized access.
Web Servers
Security checklists help secure and harden application configurations. Disable unnecessary modules and features, and utilize network segmentation and segregation to optimize performance. Attackers will find it challenging to move between connected networks. Monitor all website assets and remove any that aren’t essential for an added layer of protection.
Business owners may need to take additional steps to ensure their websites remain secure. If an owner struggles to complete these tasks, it is best to seek outside help. Securing the website is critical to preventing attacks and the accompanying damage to the organization. When the website is secure, the owner can focus on other tasks that generate revenue and help the business grow.