Although focusing on the look and optimization of a website is important in the process of designing it, you should also take cyber security into account. Even while you’re still in the development stage, cyber attackers won’t hesitate to invade your website, steal sensitive information, and destroy everything you’ve worked hard on.
Exposing your website to security threats like command injections, cross-site scripting, credential stuffing, and cookie poisoning can lead to a variety of unpleasant consequences.
As such, it’s crucial to know these eight web design security measures that a web design company uses to protect you and your clients:
Implement System Logging and Audit Logging
Keeping a close eye on the activity of your website can bolster its security. However, with so much data to process, it’s difficult to manually pinpoint every single irregularity. But with system logging and audit logging software, this seemingly impossible task can be completed quickly.
Both system logging and audit logging work by documenting the activity within the website. Although both have a similar function, their purpose isn’t the same.
System logging is used to record any activity that occurs on the website. These activities also include web page errors, so web designers can use system logging to help them with troubleshooting.
Audit logging, on the other hand, provides you with more precise information. It can give you the time when the activity occurred, who performed the activity, what activity was performed, and how the website responded to the activity. This makes it easier to monitor suspicious activities on your website.
Use Anomaly Detection Software
Aside from system and audit logging, you can also use anomaly detection software to help you detect suspicious activity faster. Anomaly detection uses machine learning to catch suspicious activities in real-time, and immediately alerts you the moment it detects a potential cyberattack.
This way, you’ll have enough time to alter and strengthen your website’s security measures, as well as deal with the anomaly before it does more damage.
Make Regular Updates
One of the easiest ways cybercriminals can compromise your website is through outdated data. Old and unsecured databases are vulnerable to hacking, so all they have to do is find them and work their way from there. This is why it’s essential to update your website regularly to help eliminate data vulnerabilities.
Disable Unused Software
Another path hackers can use to get access to your website is through unused software. Programs that aren’t being used can be seen as system weak points. It’s in your best interest to disable them, so cyber attackers are barred from hacking your website.
Encrypt Sensitive Data
Whether you’re storing or transmitting sensitive data, make sure that it’s fully encrypted. Encrypting all your data will make it difficult for cyber attackers to intercept and read the information.
Data encryption is the most used method in protecting sensitive information. You can further bolster your encryption’s security by adding a password manager to ensure that only people who have the password can access the data.
Manage User Access
Even if you trust your web design team, it’s still not a good idea to give everyone full access to the website’s applications. By managing user access, you can control the amount and type of information that’s being distributed and thus limit the risk of exposing important data to the wrong people.
It’s better to give your team the minimum required permission to access the website, so they can still perform their tasks efficiently. Should an emergency arise, you can give them full access to the website’s applications and revoke it immediately once the situation has been mitigated.
Another thing you should consider when giving limited or full web page access to your team is to implement effective account management practices. Creating strong passwords and using multi-factor authentication programs can help strengthen your website’s cyber security.
Secure Your Network Connection
Leaving your network connection public makes it easier for cybercriminals to hack your website. When your connection is open, it gives hackers a chance to hop onto your network channel and use cyber-hijacking tactics that can intercept and steal your data.
To prevent unwanted users from siphoning off of your internet connection, you can secure it by renaming your routers and networks, creating a strong password, and turning on encryption.
In addition, avoid using public Wi-Fi as much as possible. If you need to connect outside your home network, make sure that you’re using trusted VPN software.
Create a Backup Plan
Although implementing these cybersecurity measures can keep attacks at bay, they can’t ensure 100% prevention. Cybercriminals will always find new ways to hack websites and steal important information, so it’s in your best interest to create a backup plan.
Having a plan for every kind of cyber breach will help ensure that you’ll be able to respond quickly and protect your website’s progress and your company’s data as much as you can.
When it comes to designing a website, you should always pay attention to the level of cyber security you have. No matter how aesthetically pleasing and user-friendly your website is, it won’t mean much if you experience a data breach.
With these online security tips for web design, you can ensure the security of your company and clients, as well as your peace of mind.
