Security should be at the top of your priorities if you own or manage a WordPress website.
Everyone online is vulnerable to cyber threats, but since WordPress is (by far) the most dominant CMS on the web, bad actors are always looking for weaknesses they can exploit. Whether it’s automated attacks or someone singling out your website or business, there is a target on your site and its data.
The good news is that WordPress and the WordPress ecosystem take security very seriously. But to get the best protection possible, you need the right tools. In this article, we’ll discuss why using a WordPress security plugin is essential, especially for professionals managing multiple websites.
What does a WordPress security plugin do?
A good WordPress security plugin will provide you with the following:
- Firewall and brute force attack prevention: these are foundational security measures that block unauthorized access to your website.
- Defense against common cyber attacks: SQL injections, cross-site scripting (XSS), file injection, file inclusion, and phishing to name a few.
- Protection from plugin and theme vulnerabilities: plugins and themes make WordPress awesome, but they’re also the vector for 33% of successful cyber attacks on WordPress websites. A good WordPress security plugin will have tools in place for identifying and patching those vulnerabilities as quickly as possible.
- Enhanced security layers: a WordPress security plugin is just one layer of security. Quality hosting (which provides server-level security), regular backups, and security best practices also play a crucial role. A good WordPress security plugin understands where it fits into this equation and caters its feature-set to focus on the areas of website security best handled by a plugin. All while working seamlessly with other security layers.
Advantages of using a WordPress security plugin
Here are three reasons you should consider using a WordPress security plugin.
1. Enhanced user login security
Weak login credentials are one of, if not the most, commonly exploited weaknesses hackers use to gain access to WordPress websites. If you’re a freelancer or part of an agency managing a portfolio of client sites, hardening their login security is essential. Not only will it protect your client’s data, but it will prevent you from damaging your brand and potentially losing clients. Best case scenario (without a WordPress security plugin) you’ll waste time recovering from the most prevalent and preventable WordPress hacks instead of acquiring new clients and wowing existing ones.
A good WordPress security plugin will make it easy for you to harden login security while maintaining an enjoyable experience for your clients. This can be achieved with features like required strong passwords, two-factor authentication, passkeys, or even biometric logins.
2. Automation saves time and takes action faster than humans
Managing security across several websites can be daunting. But more than that, it’s time consuming. A good WordPress security plugin will automate crucial processes like virtual vulnerability patching and brute force attack prevention, allowing you to respond to and resolve security threats before you’re even aware of them.
(It’s kind of like having extra team members…)
But of course, you do want to know what’s going on, even if those threats have been neutralized. That’s where the next major benefit of a WordPress security plugin comes into play.
3. 24/7 monitoring, alerts, and reporting
A good WordPress security plugin will constantly be scanning your site for new vulnerabilities, send automated alerts when they’re encountered, and provide you with the ability to easily create and send security reports to stakeholders. A great example of this is our own Solid Security Pro dashboard.
Disadvantages of using a WordPress security plugin
Here are three potential drawbacks you should consider before using a WordPress security plugin.
- Cost: if you’re a professional, it’s likely you’ll need the more advanced protection of a premium WordPress security plugin. So of course, cost is going to be a consideration. But then again, the average cost of a data breach for businesses with fewer than 500 employees was $2.98 million in 2021. That’s a lot more expensive than a plugin!
- Performance: due to the “always on” nature of some features, WordPress security plugins can negatively impact performance. It’s important that the plugin you choose, if you choose one, takes performance seriously and is developed accordingly. It’s a great pre-sales question to ask.
- Initial setup: it’s important that whoever installs and configures the plugin knows what they’re doing. Some WordPress security plugins offer guided onboarding experiences that make this process easy.
Do you need a security plugin for your WordPress website?
Given the scope of responsibilities you handle as a WordPress professional, the answer is almost invariably yes. The protection, automation, and control provided by a good WordPress security plugin far outweighs their costs and setup complexities, particularly when considering the potential consequences of a security breach.
For WordPress agency owners, freelancers, and solopreneurs, employing a security plugin is a strategic decision that enhances your service quality and protects your business interests. It ensures that your digital environments are not just operational but secure from threats, preserving your reputation and your clients’ trust. Investing in a quality security plugin is a wise decision—because when it comes to security, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
For robust protection tailored to your professional needs, consider exploring Solid Security for basic requirements and Solid Security Pro for more advanced requirements.