1. Access Control:
Define user roles and permissions based on job responsibilities.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms such as multi-factor authentication (MFA) for
administrative access.
Regularly review and update user access privileges to ensure least privilege principle is
followed.
Limit direct access to sensitive directories and files through proper server configurations.
2. Data Protection:
Encrypt sensitive data in transit using SSL/TLS.
Use encryption for storing sensitive data in databases.
Implement proper data retention and deletion policies.
Regularly monitor and audit data access to detect unauthorized activities.
3. Vulnerability Management:
Regularly scan the website for vulnerabilities using reputable security tools.
Promptly patch and update software, including the web server, CMS, plugins, and other
components.
Have a process in place to respond to and mitigate newly discovered vulnerabilities.
4. Secure Development:
Follow secure coding practices and conduct regular code reviews.
Use parameterized queries to prevent SQL injection attacks.
Validate and sanitize user inputs to prevent cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks.
Avoid hardcoded credentials and sensitive information in the codebase.
5. Security Monitoring:
Set up intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDPS) to monitor for malicious activities.
Monitor system logs, server logs, and network traffic for signs of unauthorized access or
anomalies.
Implement real-time alerts to notify administrators of potential security incidents.
6. Incident Response:
Develop an incident response plan outlining steps to take in case of a security breach.
Identify and designate a response team with clear roles and responsibilities.
Regularly conduct drills and simulations to test the effectiveness of the incident response
plan.
7. Physical Security:
Ensure physical servers are stored in secure locations with restricted access.
Implement proper environmental controls to prevent unauthorized access and tampering.
8. User Education:
Provide training to employees on security best practices, including phishing awareness and
password hygiene.
Educate users about the risks of sharing sensitive information and credentials.
9. Third-Party Integrations:
Review and assess security practices of third-party services and integrations used on the
website.
Regularly monitor and update these integrations to ensure they don't introduce vulnerabilities.
10. Regular Audits and Assessments:
Conduct periodic security assessments and audits to identify potential weaknesses.
Engage third-party security professionals to perform penetration testing and code reviews.