How Does a Good Hosting Company Help Secure Your Website?

July 24, 2014

Website owners who don’t take proactive steps to protect themselves against security threats leave their websites vulnerable to malicious attackers and thieves. Security matters in the digital world, and choosing the right host is one of the best ways to secure your website.

A lack of security can lead to lost income or identity theft, so protecting your information online matters. Billions of dollars change hands on the Internet every day, and thieves will do whatever they can to get a piece of the action.

Remember that half of all businesses that lose access to their data for 10 days or more go out of business within a year. Your data is your most valuable asset. Make sure you host it with a company that knows how to protect it and keep it available when you need it.

The next time you look at hosting services or VPN hosting for your firm, look for providers that excel at security covering both external and internal threats. Here are a few security specifics that can help you secure your website.

Physical Security and Intrusion Detection

Does the provider have a way to stop intrusions? All data centers should have cameras and security in place so that if someone attempts to physically steal data, there’s a way to trace them. If you handle sensitive data, look for a provider with man-traps, biometrics, and facial recognition in place, so intruders can be stopped as soon as they’re detected.

Natural Disaster Protection

Mother nature can also be disruptive. If you prefer a data center close to your business, make sure it’s built for the worst possible natural disaster. The best data centers have inert gas fire suppression in place, along with infrastructure built to withstand up to a Category 5 hurricane.

SFTP: A Safer Way to Transfer Files

When people upload files to their website using FTP, they leave themselves open to hackers. If you’re concerned about hosting security, use SFTP instead of FTP. It’s a secure protocol that isn’t as vulnerable as FTP, and it adds an extra layer of protection over standard FTP transfers. When your host offers SFTP, you can be confident that no one is intercepting your files.

SSL: Encrypting Your Website’s Traffic

SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, gives users an encrypted way to communicate with your website. When you use SSL, no one can intercept the information you transmit, which matters most when you’re handling sensitive banking or credit card information. If you sell products on your website, offering SSL is essential. Most users won’t enter their credit card information into a site that doesn’t protect them with an SSL certificate.

Regular Backups Help Secure Your Website

The best hosting companies backup your website regularly, which comes in handy when there’s a problem or disaster. When your site is backed up, you don’t have to worry about losing information. Check with your host to make sure they schedule regular backups.