No matter the size of your website, you must never believe that it is too small to be a security risk. Although larger sites may appear more attractive targets for hackers who are determined to cause destruction or steal data, smaller websites also present opportunities. Some might even become victims of malicious attacks without any obvious motive behind them. If such an attack successful strikes your site, it could hurt the trust customers have in your business as well as damage its reputation on a long-term basis. Not only will there be short-term losses due to downtime but other issues arise from this serious problem too! 

Fortunately, there are a few simple safeguards you can take to ensure your website stays secure: 

An SSL certificate provides a secure connection for your website, which encrypts the data flowing from a visitor’s browsers to your website. This means messages passing through can't be hacked or intercepted. Having an SSL certificate also ensures browsers don't display any insecure warnings when customers visit your site, making them confident about their online safety when visiting your website. SSL is also a ranking signal for Google, so having an SSL will drastically improve your chances of appearing at the top of search results.  

Choosing the right hosting service for your website is key to keeping it safe and secure. As well as looking for server security features such as SSL, server monitoring and malware detection, you should also consider the physical location of the data centre. For UK businesses, this will ideally be a data centre in the UK as this provides better speed and reliability. Don’t be tempted to opt for a cheaper option, as this could increase the chance of down-time or cause time lags which might lead to users abandoning your website altogether. 

Compliance with data protection laws is essential for websites of all sizes. The primary compliance consideration here in the UK is the General Data Protection Regulation 2016 (GDPR), enacted in UK law through the Data Protection Act 2018. GDPR came into force in 2018, and it provides individuals more control over their personal and sensitive data, as well as standardising the data protection regulations across Europe. 

 

In order to comply with the GDPR, all businesses must create and maintain a compliant privacy policy on their website. Additionally, customers should always be explicitly asked permission before storing or using any of their data and it is crucial that this information remains secure at all times. The business must also have an easy way for customers to request complete deletion of personal records if desired by them. No matter how small your business may be, you are still required to adhere strictly to the GDPR regulations--with potential fines amounting up to €20 million or four per cent of annual turnover (whichever is higher) for those who fail in compliance! 

With ever-evolving technology, hackers have become more adept at uncovering vulnerabilities and exploiting them to access data. Automated 'bots' are used extensively in these pursuits; small businesses especially can be less prepared for such attack due to not having the latest security updates applied. The possible repercussions of being hacked range from image damage through website defacement or black hat SEO activities, right up to theft of customer information and sending spam emails out under your organisation's name. Your customers trust you to provide a secure, safe experience when they visit your website - but one wrong move could place that trust in jeopardy. Investing in modern security software is essential for protecting both customer data and your website's reputation. Your website's security is always important. Investing in quality software can help protect you and your business from the risks of blacklisting, while regularly installing system updates keeps things running smoothly to maintain customer trust. Don't forget that a few minutes spent on preventive maintenance now will save time (and headaches!) down the road! 

If you’re an existing it’seeze customer, we do all the following for you to ensure your website remains safe and compliant: 

For further information about secure, compliant websites that protect your business and your customers, contact us now.