Website Builder
Website builder technologies are software platforms or online services that enable individuals and businesses to create websites without extensive coding or technical knowledge. They offer user-friendly interfaces with drag-and-drop functionality, pre-designed templates, and various customization options, making website creation accessible to a broader audience.
Why It's Essential to Know if Your Organization Uses Website Builders:
Sanctioned vs. Unsanctioned Usage: Sanctioned website builders are officially approved and supported by the organization's IT department, ensuring they meet security standards and compliance requirements. On the other hand, unsanctioned builders may introduce security risks, data leaks, or compliance violations due to inadequate security measures or lack of oversight.
External Identifiability: Many website builders leave identifiable footprints, such as specific code snippets, hosting server details, or characteristic design elements. Identifying these footprints helps security teams assess the potential attack surface and monitor for vulnerabilities.
On-Premise vs. Cloud-Based: On-premise website builders are hosted on the organization's servers, giving them more control over security configurations but requiring internal maintenance and updates. Cloud-based builders are hosted by third-party providers, offering convenience and scalability but introducing potential third-party risks and data privacy concerns.
Cybersecurity Considerations for Specific Website Builders:
Strikingly: Known for its simplicity and ease of use, Strikingly is a cloud-based builder. Key cybersecurity considerations include ensuring solid passwords, enabling two-factor authentication (2FA), and regularly reviewing and updating the website's content and security settings.
Tilda: This platform focuses on visual storytelling and offers a range of design templates. Cybersecurity best practices include keeping the Tilda software and any plugins updated, using strong passwords and 2FA, and being cautious about embedding third-party code or scripts.
Webflow: Aimed at professional designers, Webflow provides more advanced customization options. Cybersecurity measures should include regular security audits, vulnerability scanning, and secure coding practices, especially when integrating custom code or third-party plugins.
Worksites.net: This builder caters to small businesses and offers various e-commerce features. Key security considerations include protecting customer data, ensuring PCI DSS compliance for online transactions, and implementing robust security measures for the website's backend.
ThreatNG's comprehensive capabilities can significantly enhance an organization's security posture regarding website builder technologies used across its digital ecosystem. Here's how ThreatNG can help:
1. Discovery and Identification:
ThreatNG can discover and identify the use of various website builder technologies across the organization's external attack surface, including websites, landing pages, and microsites. It can also identify third-party vendors and suppliers' use of such technologies, providing a holistic view of the organization's digital footprint.
2. Risk Assessment and Prioritization:
ThreatNG assesses the security posture of each website builder instance it discovers. It evaluates vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, outdated software versions, and potential security risks associated with specific website builder platforms. This assessment enables organizations to prioritize remediation efforts based on the level of risk posed by each instance.
3. Vulnerability Management:
ThreatNG continuously monitors website builder instances for vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. It alerts security teams about potential security risks and provides actionable recommendations for remediation. This proactive approach helps organizations stay ahead of potential threats and prevent cyberattacks.
4. Integration with Complementary Solutions:
ThreatNG can integrate with various complementary security solutions to enhance its effectiveness. These integrations include:
Web Application Firewalls (WAFs): ThreatNG can feed its findings into WAFs, enabling them to create custom rules and policies to protect against specific vulnerabilities identified in website builder instances.
Vulnerability Scanners: Integration with vulnerability scanners allows for more comprehensive security assessments of website builder platforms, covering a wider range of potential vulnerabilities.
Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) Systems: ThreatNG can send alerts and incident reports to SIEM systems, enabling centralized logging, analysis, and correlation of security events across the organization's digital infrastructure.
Example Workflow:
ThreatNG Discovery: ThreatNG identifies a website built using a vulnerable version of a popular website builder platform on a third-party vendor's website.
Vulnerability Scanner Validation: The organization's vulnerability scanner confirms the vulnerability identified by ThreatNG.
SIEM Alert and Prioritization: The SIEM system raises an alert, highlighting the severity of the vulnerability and providing context from both ThreatNG and the vulnerability scanner.
Remediation: The security team notifies the vendor and works with them to patch the vulnerability or upgrade to a more secure version of the website builder platform.
Overall Benefits:
By incorporating ThreatNG into their cybersecurity strategy, organizations can reap the following benefits:
Enhanced Visibility: Gain a comprehensive view of website builder technologies used across the organization's digital ecosystem.
Proactive Risk Management: Identify and remediate vulnerabilities and misconfigurations before attackers can exploit them.
Improved Security Posture: Strengthen overall security posture by mitigating the risks associated with website builder technologies.
Streamlined Incident Response: Integrate ThreatNG with existing security tools to enhance threat detection and accelerate incident response in the event of a website builder-related security incident.
Compliance Assurance: Ensure website builder practices align with industry standards and regulatory requirements, reducing non-compliance risk and potential fines.
By leveraging ThreatNG's capabilities, organizations can proactively manage website builder-related risks and create a more secure online presence for their customers and stakeholders.
