People find it far easier to take their businesses online these days than many years before now. The availability of content management systems (CMS) such as Joomla and WordPress makes it possible to start your website without necessarily being a tech guru. However, a report has shown that while more people are creating websites, most Americans do not have the necessary knowledge as regards securing their websites from online threats.
So, despite being able to create an online presence leveraging easy-to-use tools available on the web, securing your business and online activity is totally up to you. There is no denying that the internet has become an integral part of modern life, with users spending around 1.6 billion dollars online and sending almost 200 million emails every minute.
However, the opportunities opened up by the internet to users around the world also make them vulnerable to diverse forms of attacks.
We see hacks and breaches occur every time. The news is evident in both big and small businesses. In fact, hackers can break into small businesses’ networks better than big ones. No wonder Keepersecurity has shown in a report that 66% of small businesses are hit by various attacks annually. So, in essence, all business owners should take their cybersecurity very seriously.
New trends like remote and hybrid work systems are contributing greatly to the security posture of cyberspace. Hence, we need new security measures from legacy methods to secure our websites from attacks. One of the viable strategies helping to bolster security today is network segmentation.
Network segmentation definition: a network security approach that involves partitioning a physical network into diverse logical sub-networks that will deliver unique security features and controls to each sub-network. Once the networks have been broken down into smaller, easier-to-manage units, controls are assigned to each compartmentalized segment.
In simpler terms, network segmentation is an approach that divides a network into different segments, with each network acting as a whole.
Network segmentation makes it easier to manage different networks individually, repel insider threats better, and reduce the damaging effect on a network if a breach occurs. Network segmentation often has dedicated hardware to minimize touching points between networks. Types of network segmentation include VLAN network segmentation, Firewall segmentation, SDN-based segmentation, Micro-segmentation, and Host-based segmentation.
However, there are other viable approaches to securing your websites from threats and attacks, and they include:
1. `Scan Your Website for Vulnerabilities
Conduct web security scans to uncover potential weaknesses in its security posture. You should consider performing web security scans on a schedule and after any change or addition to your web components. You can leverage some free tools to achieve this. However, they might not help in the long run as they may not detect all the possible security flaws on your website. Bringing on an expert will help to provide an in-depth review and explanation of the vulnerabilities on your site.
2. Enforce a Strong Password Policy
Using strong passwords on your website should not be negotiated. Cybercriminals are frequently practicalizing different forms of approaches to break through passwords. For example, they might use brute force to crack weak passwords. However, unique and complex passwords can hardly be accessed.
They usually contain uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters and should be about ten characters long. Also, avoid repeating passwords across your online accounts. You can employ a password manager to make it easy to remember your passwords, and this policy should be observed in every department of your organization.
3. Encrypt Your Login Pages
Using encrypted login pages means that credentials and sensitive data will be transmitted securely over the network. SSL encryption allows data such as social security numbers, credit card numbers, and others to be secured on all ends for safe transmission. So, when information is imputed on a page, it becomes useless to a tracker even when intercepted. This makes it difficult for hackers to hijack your private data, including login credentials.
4. Always Backup Sensitive Data
Data backup cannot be over-emphasized. You should maintain backups of your website files just in case an unexpected event makes your site inaccessible or results in data loss. While your web hosts should consider providing their own server backup, you can’t rely totally on it. Back up your files too. You’ll find some helpful plugins for platforms such as WordPress that can automate your backup process.
5. Use a Secure Host
Before choosing a web hosting company, ensure adequate findings of their services. Hackers aggressively target security flaws on these platforms. So, ensure they are vast in popular threats and committed to keeping your website secure. They should also have a strategy to keep backups of your data consistently and should be able to restore data in the case of an attack. In addition, they should be readily available to provide secure, reliable technical support when needed.