Incorporating Cyber Security Into Your SEO Strategy

As a website owner, you’re probably familiar with the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) in driving traffic to your site. But what you may not realize is that data security is an important part of SEO as well. Incorporating cyber security into an effective SEO strategy not only protects your site and its visitors but can also improve your ranking.

Of course, SEO and cybersecurity are both complex topics, so we’ll just be scratching the surface here. But if you’re not already incorporating data security into your SEO efforts, there’s no better time to begin than now.

Shoring up your cybersecurity not only means taking steps to protect your site from attacks, but also making sure that your site is compliant with data privacy regulations. This can seem like a daunting task, but there are some simple steps you can take to get started.

Let’s go over five easy ways to start integrating cyber security into your SEO strategy.

1. Use Strong Passwords and Two-Factor Authentication

One of the most basic steps you can take to improve your site’s security is to use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.

It’s always tempting to use easily guessed passwords or to reuse the same password across multiple sites. But doing so makes it easy for hackers to gain access to your accounts.

Strong passwords are long, complex, and unique to each account. They should include a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and special characters.

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security by requiring you to enter a code from your mobile device in addition to your password when logging into an account. This makes it much harder for hackers to gain access to your accounts, even if they’ve managed to obtain your password.

Keeping track of all your different passwords can be a challenge, but there are several password managers available that can help.

2. Watch for Warning Signs

Cyberattacks generally occur after a series of warnings. Most of these will be small and easy to overlook, but if you’re paying attention, they can be a red flag that something is about to go wrong.

Watch out for these warning signs that your site may be under attack:

• Sudden changes in website traffic
• A noticeable uptick in spam or phishing emails
• Unexpected changes to your website’s code
• Your rankings suddenly drop

You may also find strange coding scripts or files on your server that you don’t recognize. Persistent login issues, as well as random errors on your website, can also be indicative of a problem.

These could all be indications that your site is about to be attacked, and the sooner you take steps to mitigate the threat, the better. Any experienced web development company will know to use secure plugins like WordFence to check for and stop any hack attacks from known malware sites.

3. Keep Abreast of All Software Updates

Hackers pretty much salivate at the thought of an outdated website or software. After all, that just makes their job a whole lot easier—the older a piece of software is, the more likely it is to have vulnerabilities that can be exploited.

A relatively simple, painless way to reduce your site’s vulnerability to attack is to make sure that all your software is up to date. This includes not only the content management system (CMS) you use to run your website, but also any plugins or themes you have installed.

Updating your software is usually as simple as clicking a button, and most CMSs will notify you when updates are available. Installing updates as soon as they’re released is the best way to keep your site secure.

4. Incorporate Regular Security Checks

Cybersecurity should be a top priority for any business that relies on the internet to reach its customers. Not only can a security breach result in the loss of sensitive data, but it can also damage your reputation and lead to a drop in sales.

Risk avoidance is the best way to protect your business, and that starts with regular security checks. These can be performed manually, or you can use a security plugin to automate the process.

Don’t wait until you’ve been hacked to start thinking about security. Taking on a more proactive approach will help you to avoid the costly consequences of a security breach.

Contact your local SEO company today to talk about cyber security strategies to keep your website and customers safe from any cyber attacks online.

5. Educate Your Employees

Your employees are one of your biggest assets, but they’re also one of your greatest risks when it comes to cybersecurity. Hackers often target employees to gain access to company systems and data.

One way to reduce the risk posed by your employees is to educate them about cybersecurity. Teach them how to spot the signs of a phishing email, for example, and make sure they know never to click on links or attachments from unknown senders.

You should also have a clear policy in place for what employees can and can’t do with company data. Be sure to enforce these rules, as well as any others you have in place to protect your business.

Incorporating cybersecurity into your SEO strategy is a smart move that can help to protect your business from attack Although our five tips are a great starting point, they’re by no means exhaustive. Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, and new threats are emerging all the time.

Be on the lookout for the latest cybersecurity threats and trends by subscribing to industry news sources and following security experts on social media. This will help you to stay one step ahead of the hackers and keep your business safe. Supplement your knowledge with regular security checks and employee training, and you’ll be well on your way to keeping your business safe from harm!

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Content Writer – Chatty Garrate