Exploring website security: Building trust in a digital world

When any customer gives you their personal details online, they are taking a risk. They are handing over information that could lead to identities being stolen and bank accounts being emptied, causing untold levels of trauma, distress and inconvenience. Whilst most consumers don’t actively look for a security certificate before they do this, the cyber security of a brand will change the trust they have in a business if they find it has been breached or attacked.  

In a world of GDPR, it is now law that a business makes it public knowledge if they have been hacked in order for customers to take the necessary action to protect themselves. Once a customer receives the news that their data is now in the hands of criminals, it is likely that the trust they have with the brand could be tarnished. This makes it vital to ensure that you have the right security in place to try and prevent this from happening. 

Some of the most common cyber threats that businesses face comes from attacks through malware or ransomware. This can effectively bring your systems to a halt, steal data or hold it to ransom, leaving your business facing the distinct possibility that it may be lost forever. 

A lack of website security can also mean that your website itself can be a victim, with hackers redirecting online forms, changing the information on your site or simply taking it offline altogether. All of these can be tremendously damaging, and can make it impossible to run your business, whilst also driving away customers. 

There are many internal measures that you can take to protect your business from cybercrime. This can start with the education of your staff to stop them falling victim to phishing scams and to learn how to protect devices in a world of remote working. It can also mean installing antivirus software and firewalls to provide an active barrier against the most common threats. 

When building a website, it is important to keep security in mind at all times. Your website will need a secure URL, and so it is important to have HTTPs and SSL certificates in place. These prevent intercepts and interruptions and encrypt information to keep it secure. You will also need to make sure that you use a secure web host who can offer Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP), file backup services and regular security updates. You also need to ensure that all plugins and software are kept up to date, as they are likely to roll out patches for the latest scams and tricks. 

There are many measures you can take to keep the digital side of your business safe, and whilst you might know what they are, your customers do not. You should therefore not be afraid to show off your credentials on your website and in your marketing. Take the time to explain to your customers how important their safety is to you, and you can immediately begin to build trust. You can also publish your data privacy policy to show how data is used, and never collect more than you need from a customer, as this can lead to them questioning whether it puts them at added risk. 

One of the biggest things you can do to build trust is to be open and transparent.

Talk to your customers about changes to your policies, make them aware of new systems and tell the truth if things go wrong. The biggest breakdown of trust comes when people feel as though things are being kept from them, so making your security an open book invites people to feel as though you have nothing to hide and could deter criminals who believe you are too difficult to target. 

At Koobr, we have vast experience in the development of websites that not only offer a fantastic consumer journey, but a secure one as well. We can build your site with security at the forefront to ensure your business keeps running smoothly and your customers feel confident putting their trust in you.