This isn’t a topic that people usually consider while setting up their business website. However, it is something every business should consider vital. Cyberattacks are growing in frequency and sophistication at an alarming rate. CSA Singapore states that 99% of organisations that have encountered cyberattacks have experienced adverse effects, including business disruption, data loss, reputation damage, financial loss, and additional costs from incident response measures. Occasionally, the impact also extends to customers and suppliers. So, let’s understand online security and see some of the best website security practices we follow as a professional web designing agency.
Understanding Threats and Best Practices for a Secure Digital Experience
Companies that design websites are aware that on the internet, threats lurk at every click. Understanding these is vital for any business with an online presence. Let’s look at the common security issues and how to mitigate them.
Malware: This is malicious software that is designed to disrupt, damage, or even gain access to your website. It is used to steal sensitive information, cause downtime, and hold your data for ransom.
Phishing: Here, trustworthy people or companies are impersonated to fraudulently obtain sensitive information from you. If you or your employees fall prey to this, it can cause data breaches or financial losses.
SQL injection: Here, a malicious SQL code is inserted into your website’s input fields to manipulate your database. This is used to expose sensitive customer information and alter or delete website content.
Cross-site scripting: In this form of attack, malicious scripts are injected into your website and executed by visitors who are unaware of the risk. This attack leads to data theft, reputation damage, and loss of customer trust.
Denial of Service (DoS) / Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks: This is an interesting attack where an attacker overloads your website with traffic, leaving real users unable to access your site and its services. It leads to website downtime, lost revenue, and hurts your brand image.
Security best practices are implemented as part of web development process and are found in web design firms that are specialised in website security:
Regular updates: It seems simple, but ensuring all website software, including CMS, plugins, and themes, are updated to close any security loopholes.
SSL / TLS encryption: This encrypts the connection between your website and its visitors to prevent anyone from intercepting data.
Firewalls and Anti-malware: The former blocks malicious traffic, and the latter scans and removes threats.
Access and authentication: Always use strong password policies and ideally implement two-factor authentication (2FA). Also, remember to restrict admin access to authorised users.
Backup: Regularly backing up your website, typically every 14 days, allows all your data to be restored with minimal disruption in the event of an attack. Your business can continue to run smoothly without alarming customers, clients, or site visitors with error messages or alerts.
Essential Security Measures Every Business Should Implement
Singapore’s Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) states that businesses are legally obligated to secure their customer’s personal data through data encryption and secure data storage. The best website companies in Singapore always ensure that these critical security measures are in place with every site they build. Adopting many of these is encouraged by CSA Singapore as part of a national effort to strengthen cybersecurity.
HTTPS encryption: This ensures that the data transmitted between a website and its users it encrypted and secure.
Secure hosting environment: Research hosting providers or ask your developer for recommendations for providers that offer robust security features like DDoS protection, automated backups, and malware scanning.
Penetration testing: Set up procedures to regularly test your website for vulnerabilities. If any ar found address them promptly.
Content security policy: Set up a CSP to ensure that unauthorised scripts are not allowed to run on your site.
Training: Train all employees on cybersecurity and ensure that they understand how to prevent falling prey to phishing. Random tests could also be conducted to see if this information is put into practice as it’s safer to have employees fail this test and learn rather than be victims of actual attacks.
Two-factor authentication (2FA): This reduces the risk of anyone unauthorised accessing your website’s backend and customer accounts. It’s a second layer of security after the username and password, like a code sent to your phone.
Web application firewall (WAF): This prevents many common threats by acting as a barrier between your website and the internet by filtering out harmful requests from attackers.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS): These give you live updates of any unusual activities or intrusions into your website and help you limit adverse effects before any significant damage occurs.
User access control: This allows or restricts access to specific website areas, depending on the user’s role. It keeps unauthorised individuals from accessing sensitive information or making changes that negatively affect your website.
A good web development agency in Singapore will efficiently manage all these for your site, ensuring minimal disruptions to your business.
How Website Security Impacts Customer Trust and Loyalty
Consumers in Singapore are digitally savvy and aware of privacy concerns. Therefore, it is essential to maintain security to gain their trust and business. Let’s see the factors that are directly affected by it.
Customer confidence: As a long-established website design agency in Singapore, we understand that when customers feel their personal data is secure, they are more likely to trust your business. This will help you retain them as customers. On the other hand, a data breach will make them question if they can rely on your business with their information. No customer should ever have to question whether you take your business and their privacy seriously. When you clearly communicate your data protection policies and adhere to privacy standards, we are likely to share pertinent sensitive information with you. Businesses that adhere to these often see higher conversion rates among customers, too.
Reputation: A secure website establishes your professionalism. It goes a significant way towards building long-term customer relationships. If customers believe you have security problems with your website, they will likely switch to a competitor.
Display security measures: Assure customers that you are handling their data lawfully and safely by displaying SSL certificates, clearly mentioning privacy policies, and using secure payment methods. This shows that customer security matters to you and makes them more comfortable engaging with your business.
Responding to Security Breaches
As your website design agency in Singapore, we will ensure the implementation of OWASP Top 10 security measures for your site. Our specialisations extend beyond UI/UX to cyber security. However, having a clear action plan is good in case of a security breach. For businesses in Singapore, there are specific regulations concerning data protection in response to events.
Immediate steps: First, the compromised system must be disconnected from the internet to prevent further unauthorised access. Next, check what data was compromised and look for changes to files, accounts, or other sensitive information that you did not make. Your IT Team, management, and legal advisors must also be informed, as they may need to take steps to mitigate the damage.
Informing authorities: Under the PDPA, businesses have to notify the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) within 72 hours of discovering a data breach if personal data is involved. Businesses are also encouraged to report such situations to the Singapore Computer Emergency Response Team (SingCERT). It is also helpful to inform affected customers about what has happened, what steps are being taken to rectify the issue, and how they can protect themselves.
After the breach: Hire cybersecurity experts to understand how the breach occurred and fix the issues. Also, review your security protocols and add extra safeguards (like the ones mentioned above). Finally, maintain transparency with your customers through the process and communicate all the steps taken to rebuild their confidence in your business.
Visual identity: Your logo, font, and chosen colour schemes create a perception of your business in the minds of your customers. Select them carefully and stay consistent with them. They will help improve recognition and build trust.
Conversion optimisation: When your website is user-friendly, it will attract visitors and go a long way toward converting them into customers or leads. To this end, design attractive promotion landing pages with a strong message and a clear call to action. For leads, keep your forms as simple as possible.
Conclusion
The main point of website security is ensuring that your customers feel confident about doing business with you. If you’re ready to work with a website design company in Singapore that ensures your site wows and withstands attacks, call us.