Legal Field IT Specialists CEO, Robert Finley, presenting 9 non-technical ways to make your law firms website secure:
In this segment I'll be covering an article published on good2bsocial.com. This article is entitled '9 Non-Technical Ways To Make Your Law Firm's Site Secure' and is by Brandon Raude.
"Online privacy and security are becoming increasingly important to many people. It’s essential that your website is discoverable, but if visitors get the feeling that your site isn’t secure, they may leave. Fortunately, making your website more secure doesn’t require much technical expertise. Here are 9 things that your website administrators can work on to improve your law firm site security.
1. Select a capable host
There are many website hosting companies to choose from, so do your research. The security of each will vary based on features like web application firewall (WAF) and denial-of-service (DDoS) protection. Some hosts like Bluehost allow you to decide on the extent of safety you need. Make sure to look for WAF [Web Application Firewall] in particular as it averts attempts to breach your website.
2. Use the correct content management system
Your CMS is a crucial component to building an impactful and lead-generating website. Ideally you are working with a robust CMS that can also defend your website and ensure limited security gaps. Modern tools like WordPress cycle through updates and know how to withstand hackers. Since most CMS platforms are user-friendly, it’s easier to install updates and modifications that will make your site more secure.
3. Examine your plugins and add-ons
While they can add to your user’s experience, they can also slow things down and cause gaps if you have too many. We suggest making a point to periodically review any add-ons or plugins that you have installed. You’ll want to examine the reputation, details, and revision history of plugins and add-ons. On the other hand, you can take advantage of certain add-ons that are security specific and limit viruses, such as the Wordfence security plugin. These tools will stop infiltration and also help you to build a more secure website in general.
4. Manage access levels
Even if several staff members have access to your site, there should be tiers of control in place. Restricting permission for certain areas of your site will help limit errors and crashes. Separate logins for employees are important when it comes to managing content and updates. Only a few people at the top of your org structure should have maximum privileges that allow them to make changes to your firm’s online presence.
5. Have reliable passwords
Inadequate passwords are a big problem when it comes to online security and data breaches. Make sure you have set password practices and that you’re creating original passwords with a variety of symbols, letters, and numbers for each employee. Using two-factor authentication is also a good practice. Requiring additional information such as another code will help to identify approved users and deter hackers.
6. Enable automatic backups
You make so many investments in your website, it’s critical to ensure they don’t go to waste. Backup systems can restore your core materials and expedite your relaunch. Storing data in a trustworthy location such as the central server will better protect your content against potential threats. It’s a smart practice to install automated backup technology so that this process occurs regularly.
7. Update security subscriptions
Recurring security applications are typically renewed through subscriptions which require prompt payment. Remember that if you don’t pay, then the service will stop and then no one is vetting your site. Make sure you track your various services and know which are running low or need to be refinanced soon.
8. Exchange HTTP for HTTPS
Doing so not only improves your law firm site security but also signals to visitors that they can trust your site. You may also want to look into installing a security sockets layer certificate if you use your site for payments or any other exchange of sensitive data.
9. Make time for testing
No matter how many law firm site security measures you take, there’s always a little room for error. That’s why testing each portion of your site for gaps is so important. Make sure to run through any pages or processes that visitors will see and address things like error messages or redirects. This is a good practice to complete regularly anyway, to catch other problems with content, navigation, or forms.
Takeaway:
You want your website to reflect credibility and trust. This is particularly important because your website is often the first impression someone will have of your firm. You need to do everything you can to ensure proper security is in place. Start with these non-technical tactics and if you need more help, you may want to engage with a marketing technology expert to make sure your site – and it’s users – are as safe as possible."
If you feel that your firm could use assistance with online security and protection call us today. Legal Field IT Specialists provides tailored IT support services to law firms of all sizes to protect your firm from the dangers of online threats as well as working with you to ensure that your staff is highly productive & efficient which, in turn, helps to increase your firm's profitability as a whole.
Phone: (678) 926-9192
Web: www.LFITS.com
