Is Your Web Host Protecting Your Data? How to Find Out

When you sign up for web hosting, you are entrusting a company to store and protect your website files, databases, and other sensitive information. As a website owner, it’s critical to know whether your web host takes data security seriously. Here’s how to find out if your web host is properly protecting your data.

Check if the Web Host Offers SSL Certificates

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates encrypt the connection between your website and visitors’ browsers. This prevents hackers from accessing information sent between a browser and your site.

• An SSL certificate should be standard at reputable web hosts today. If your host charges extra for SSL or doesn’t offer it, that’s a red flag.

• A domain validated (DV) SSL certificate verifies domain ownership only. An organization validated (OV) or extended validation (EV) certificate requires more identity verification. Aim for OV or EV SSL to ensure your web host verified the company’s identity.

• Check that your web host enables HTTP to HTTPS redirects to automatically reroute visitors from insecure HTTP to encrypted HTTPS pages.

Review the Web Host’s Security Measures

• Web hosts should disclose their security practices so you can evaluate them. Look for a detailed security page on their website.

• Find out if the host regularly scans for vulnerabilities and resolves any issues. They should scan web applications, networks, servers, and code.

• Ask if they have intrusion detection and prevention systems to monitor network traffic and block attacks.

• The web host should enforce strong password policies for customer accounts and admin access.

• Determine if they encrypt stored data and backups. Encrypted data is useless to hackers if they access it.

• Well-trained staff and security certifications like ISO 27001 demonstrate a focus on security.

Learn Where Your Data is Stored

• Inquire about the web host’s data center locations. If they won’t disclose this, it’s concerning.

• Your data should be stored at secure, geographically separate data centers to prevent data loss.

• Avoid web hosts that store data offshore as it makes your data subject to other countries’ privacy laws.

Review the Web Host’s Privacy Policy

A web host’s privacy policy outlines their data collection, usage, and protection practices. Read through this policy carefully before signing up. Here are some key things to look for:

• They should only collect the minimum data needed to deliver services.

• Data should only be shared with third parties to provide services, not sold or rented out.

• They should offer opt-out choices for data usage not essential for service delivery.

• Customers should have access to delete or export their data if requested.

• Data deletion after account termination should be guaranteed in a reasonable timeframe.

Check for Certified Compliance

Reputable web hosts comply with security frameworks like ISO 27001 and PCI DSS. They may also undergo independent audits.

• ISO 27001 certification indicates robust information security controls.

• PCI DSS compliance shows the web host meets payment card data security standards.

• SOC 1, SOC 2, and SOC 3 audits verify security, availability, processing integrity, and confidentiality controls.

Carefully Evaluate Any Data Breach History

• Search for reports of past data breaches at the web host. A breach doesn’t necessarily indicate inadequate security today.

• Consider the breach severity, causes, and the host’s response. Did they own up to mistakes and implement improvements?

• Request documented incident response plans so you understand their breach response process.

By thoroughly vetting your web host using these tips, you can feel confident your website data is in good hands. Don’t hesitate to ask prospective web hosts questions – data security practices should be transparent. A host that evades questions likely has something to hide.