The Complete Guide to Securing Internal Websites Against Threats
In the modern digital workplace, internal websites and intranets play a vital role in enabling collaboration, document sharing, and smooth business operations.
These platforms store sensitive information such as employee records, financial data, and proprietary content, making security a critical concern. With cyber threats becoming more advanced, securing platforms like SharePoint, custom intranets, and enterprise portals is essential.
This blog outlines key threats, security best practices, SharePoint-specific measures, and how expert consulting can strengthen your digital workspace. By the end, you will have a clear plan to protect your internal systems from security breaches.
Why Internal Website Security Matters More Than Ever
Internal websites often contain highly sensitive company data, such as:
- Employee records
- Financial documents
- Proprietary business information
- Customer data
A breach of these internal platforms can result in serious consequences, including:
- Data leaks and compliance violations
- Operational disruptions
- Reputation damage
- Financial losses due to ransomware or theft
The seriousness of these threats is demonstrated by recent statistics:
- Unsecured intranets are the third most common entry point for ransomware attacks.
- Data breaches inside an organization can cost more than $4.5 million, on average, says IBM Security.
- The stakes are high, and protecting internal websites should be a top priority for organizations of all sizes.
Top Security Threats Targeting Internal Websites
Unauthorized Access
- Weak authentication systems lead to breaches.
- Excessive permissions granted to users.
- Using the accounts of people who have left the company poses a risk.
Malware and Ransomware
- Infected files are uploaded to document libraries.
- Malicious macros embedded in Office files.
- Drive-by downloads from compromised links.
Data Leakage
- Misconfigured permissions exposing sensitive documents.
- Unsecured APIs allow unauthorized data extraction.
- Accidental file sharing by employees.
Insider Threats
- Disgruntled employees exporting confidential data.
- Credential sharing across teams.
- Privilege abuse by administrators.
Outdated Systems
- Unpatched SharePoint vulnerabilities exploited by attackers.
- Use of unsupported or obsolete software.
- Reliance on legacy, insecure authentication protocols.
12 Essential Security Measures for Internal Websites
- Implement Zero Trust Architecture
Zero Trust Architecture treats every access attempt as potentially unsafe until verified, requiring continuous authentication for access requests based on user identity and device security, ensuring correct credentials access sensitive systems and data.
- Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
MFA strengthens security by requiring multiple forms of verification, such as a password and a one-time code. This approach lowers the chances of unauthorized entry, even if login credentials are exposed.
- Implement conditional access policies.
Implementing conditional policies that are Customized to user roles and associated risks regulates access by evaluating elements like a user’s role, physical location, or the security condition of their device. This helps protect sensitive data.
- Manage Identities Securely Using Azure Active Directory
Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) offers a secure, centralized solution for managing identities. It supports functionalities like single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication, and the ability for users to reset their passwords independently.
- Strengthen SharePoint Permissions
Least privilege allows only role-related access. Customizing permission levels and conducting regular audits of user access help prevent unnecessary exposure of sensitive information.
- Secure File Storage and Sharing
Sensitive files should be encrypted to ensure secure storage and sharing. It should be applied to documents both during transmission and while stored to protect against unauthorized access.
- Harden Your SharePoint Environment
Hardening SharePoint involves turning off outdated authentication methods and enabling versioning to retrieve previous document versions and prevent accidental data loss. Users are limited in what they can do by information rights management.
- Monitor and Audit Activities
Enable audit logs to track user activities such as file downloads, modifications, and logins. Setting alerts for suspicious logins or large-scale downloads ensures that potential threats are detected and mitigated promptly.
- Protect Against Malware
Malware, such as ransomware, can severely damage internal systems. Tools like Microsoft Defender and Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) offer proactive defence against known threats.
- Keep Systems Updated
Maintaining up-to-date systems with the latest security patches is vital for safeguarding against threats. Regular updates, alongside decommissioning unsupported software, reduce the attack surface.
- Secure Custom Development
Custom web parts or third-party add-ons can introduce security risks if not properly reviewed. Developers should ensure that all custom code adheres to best practices, such as input validation and protection against common vulnerabilities like SQL injection.
- Backup Critical Data
Following the 3-2-1 backup rule, where three copies of data are stored on two different media, and one copy is kept off-site, protects against data loss. Air-gapped backups, which are stored offline, offer additional security against ransomware attacks that may target backup files.
SharePoint-Specific Security Enhancements
For organizations using SharePoint as their intranet platform, additional security enhancements can be implemented to secure the environment further. Here are some SharePoint-specific security features:
- Sensitivity Labels for Documents: Classify and protect documents based on their sensitivity, ensuring only authorized users can access confidential data.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Policies: Prevent accidental sharing of sensitive data by monitoring and controlling how information is shared across your SharePoint environment.
- Secure External Sharing Controls: Configure SharePoint to limit or prevent external sharing of files, ensuring that data stays within the organization.
- Compliance Center Reporting: Use the compliance centre to track and report on security and compliance activities in SharePoint.
When to Engage SharePoint Security Experts
While these security measures can be implemented internally, complex SharePoint environments may benefit from professional expertise. When it comes to SharePoint security, experts can help with things like:
- Providing a safe transition while moving from outdated versions of SharePoint.
- Implementing complex permission structures that align with organizational needs.
- Customizing security solutions for specific needs.
- Strengthening protection by connecting SharePoint with additional security tools and systems.
Need Expert Help Securing Your Intranet?
Protecting your internal websites requires careful planning and the right tools. If you need assistance in securing your SharePoint environment or other intranet platforms, Webtual Global‘s SharePoint security consultants provide end-to-end protection.
Our experts will help you implement best practices and safeguard your internal assets against evolving threats.
Conclusion
Making sure that internal websites are secure is essential for keeping processes running and protecting sensitive data. A combined approach of technical controls, employee education, and monitoring is key.
For SharePoint users, leveraging Microsoft’s built-in security features, like sensitivity labels and data loss prevention, is essential. However, expert SharePoint development consultants can provide advanced security solutions and ongoing support. Regular reviews, access audits, and testing response capabilities further enhance security.
Partnering with professionals like Webtual Global helps strengthen intranet security, reducing the risk of both internal and external threats. Need help securing your internal website?
Contact us today for a free intranet security assessment and safeguard your digital workspace from evolving threats.
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