Data is the most integral part of every website. If lost or accessed without consent, it can reveal customer information, employee social security number, client financial records, trade secrets, etc.
Therefore, a new and better approach towards data protection is needed in 2022 to ensure smooth business functioning.
And things still look gloomy for many small websites. This is because they still lack basic website protection infrastructure.
So, let us first understand what data security means:
What Is Data Security?
Data security creates good business processes and strategies to protect a website from outside intervention.
Every organization that stores, collects, and shares data on its website must adhere to specific protocols that can ensure the safety of website and customer data.
Hackers can easily read customers’ bank details, residential addresses, and passwords without a secure communication channel.
Remote Employees And Data
The Covid-19 pandemic has brought an abrupt rise in remote working, which has led to an increase in insider risk and the issues that rotate around it. Since the work is not confined to offices, professionals and employees have started working outside the office premises to execute their designated goals and projects.
This paradigm shift from a fixed workplace to a flexible one has given new freedom to employees, who are displaying enhanced productivity and achievement of goals by balancing their personal and professional life in a better way.
But the rise in employee prolificacy comes with one major disadvantage. As a result, there has been a rise in handling data security, data loss, insider risk, and the challenges to conquer these risks. These risks are termed Insider Risks.
Data Security In 2022
But how can you maintain optimum data security in 2022?
Well, here are six tips that can help you maintain data security:
Install Software Updates
Operating systems and CMS platforms issue software updates to patch vulnerabilities in their software.
Taking them lightly can undoubtedly leave a website vulnerable to cyberattacks. Therefore, it is best to install software updates as soon as you get them.
It would be best not to leave them for a later date or time because that never comes. Instead, make a habit of installing an update as soon as you see it.
Software updates fix bugs and codes to ensure that all businesses relying on them can function smoothly.
So, if your software allows, it would be best to turn the automatic updates on to avoid any mishap.
SSL Certificate
Now that you understand what data security is, you cannot undermine the importance of an SSL or Secured Socket Layer certificate. This security protocol encrypts the data transferred between two communicating parties: a web server and a web browser.
In simple words, it replaces data passing in a plain text format with scrambled text so that no hacker can read or intercept what is being transferred between the website and the customer.
SSL uses an SSL handshake to create a secure network infrastructure disallowing any third party to manipulate it.
If you are wondering about the types of SSL well, you can buy a single-domain SSL wildcard or a multi-domain SSL. A single-domain SSL can protect only one domain under a certificate, whereas a multi-domain SSL can secure unlimited subdomains.
By buying a positive SSL certificate, you can start accepting payments online along with securing high search rankings on Google.
Stop Using The Same Passwords Everywhere
One of the biggest mistakes that website owners commit is that they think, “if I haven’t got breached on Facebook with a particular password, chances are I won’t get breached on my website too if I use the same password.”
Well, passwords are a sensitive concoction of alphabets, symbols and numbers that need to be secure at all times if a website wants to stay protected.
You can use password managers If you face trouble remembering your passwords. Also, ensure that you use both upper-case and lower-case letters while framing a password.
Install Plugins For Protection
CMS platforms like WordPress come with a plethora of options for plugins. Not only are these security plugins a feasible solution for website protection, but they also help you manage loopholes by identifying vulnerabilities that may arise.
Plugins like SiteLock can tell you where work is needed. They can point out loopholes and suggest the necessary steps to fix them. Other effective plugin options are iThemses security, Sucuri and Bulletproof security, which can be an excellent addition to your plugin panel.
So, install the necessary security plugins to protect your data.
Create Backup Systems
To weather the storm, you need something concrete to rely on. Backup help kickstart your business again. If you have appropriate backup systems in place, your users will experience minimal downtime.
Therefore, you must backup everywhere from the cloud to the hard drive; your data should be regularly stored on many devices and cloud services. However, do not entirely rely on either hard drives or cloud-based technology. Both of them are vulnerable to theft and damage.
If the cloud-service provider gets compromised, you must have a hard drive backup that can allow data retrieval.
Two-Factor Authentication
We all know passwords can be broken. Therefore, we need technology that can shield your password. Two-factor authentication is one such technology. If users try to log in to a two-factor authenticated website, they need a 4–6-digit security PIN sent on the admin’s registered mobile number/ email address.
Multiple wrong attempts can result in the blocking of IP addresses. First, however, you must ensure that your admin URL and passwords are strong enough to withstand brute force attacks.
You must also be aware of their limitations. For example, only a few of them should be allowed to access the admin panel for a limited time.
Final Thoughts
2021 was a progressive year for hackers. But this 2022, website owners need to ensure that there are no half measures in security.
Websites need to employ security protocols like SSL certificates, security plugins and firewalls to keep hackers away.
Security technologies like SSL function as a protective shield and help you stay in Google’s good books. It also ensures that the website is clear to accept payments online.
Moreover, do not forget to create backup systems that can come to your aid when you need them.
So, follow these six tips given above to create a safe cyber environment for your website.
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Dan Radak is a web hosting security professional with ten years of experience. He is currently working with a number of companies in the field of online security, closely collaborating with a couple of e-commerce companies.
