In the vast ocean of the internet, where surprises and inconveniences abound, selecting the most secure Content Management System (CMS) becomes imperative. Your goal is to steer clear of those potential hurdles as much as possible, if not entirely.
In this era of technological prowess, having a reliable and secure CMS is akin to possessing a steadfast compass on a grand adventure. It serves as an essential guide for shaping your online presence and safeguarding your digital treasures from the pesky pirates of the cyber world.
Rather than burdening you with the task, we undertook extensive research, delving into user feedback and rigorously testing each CMS to present you with the ultimate list. Regardless of the size of your website, prioritizing its safety and security online benefits you and ensures a protected experience for your visitors.
Deep dive into CMS here.
Top Safest CMS of 2024:
1. Unlocking the Potential of WordPress: Your Secure CMS Champion
Ever wonder why WordPress is the reigning champion among CMS platforms? This popular and secure choice is your ideal companion for digital endeavors.
WordPress simplifies website management, boasting a user-friendly interface and catering to novices and seasoned web admins by eliminating complexities.
The real game-changer? WordPress is exceptionally secure. Regular updates patch security loopholes, while a robust community of developers bolsters its cyber defenses.
An array of security plugins acts as an additional layer of armor, shielding your site from unwelcome intruders.
What makes it even better? WordPress’s unparalleled flexibility and customization options empower you to craft your website precisely as you envision it, all while fortified against online threats.
Key Features of WordPress:
- Frequent updates address security vulnerabilities, enhance features, and improve overall performance.
- Security plugins like Wordfence, Sucuri Security, and Solid Security offer added protection.
- Detailed user role management and permissions for administrators to control access.
- Support for solid password policies and two-factor authentication.
- Encouragement of SSL/TLS certificates for encrypted data transmission.
Best for:
Ideal for bloggers, small to medium-sized businesses, and content creators seeking a user-friendly, customizable, and robust platform for their online presence.
Pricing: WordPress is a free and open-source CMS.
2. Drupal: The Fortified Bastion of Digital Security
Drupal doesn’t just claim to be a fortress of digital security; it boasts a proven track record. As an open-source project, Drupal leverages the vigilant scrutiny and contributions of a global community of over a million developers.
This collaborative effort and a dedicated team of security experts ensure that Drupal remains a formidable defense against evolving cyber threats.
What sets Drupal apart is its resilience against critical internet vulnerabilities. Rigorous coding standards and a meticulous community code review process proactively address security issues, preventing potential threats.
Partnering with GitHub for auto-updates and core validation, adept handling of malicious data entry, defense against DoS attacks, and proactive vulnerability patching all contribute to Drupal’s unwavering security.
Drupal stands as the undisputed champion for mission-critical sites and applications where compromise is not an option, tried, and trusted in the most demanding environments.
Key Features of Drupal:
- Granular user access controls enable administrators to define roles with specific permissions.
- Strong encryption methods for secure data storage.
- Rigorous input and form validation processes combat malicious data entry, reducing the risk of SQL injection and other data-related attacks.
- Collaboration with GitHub for auto-updates and core validation, ensuring adherence to the latest security patches and standards.
Best for:
It is ideal for large organizations, government entities, and industries like banking and healthcare seeking robust security and scalability for complex, high-traffic websites.
Pricing: Drupal is free and open-source.
3. Joomla: Safeguarding Your Digital Realm with Robust Security
Joomla’s formidable codebase is a testament to its unwavering commitment to security, ensuring the safety of your digital presence.
A standout feature of Joomla is its integrated two-factor authentication, coupled with extensive access control levels, granting you meticulous control over who accesses specific areas on your website.
The vigilant Joomla Security Strike Team consistently releases patches for potential exploits, often addressing vulnerabilities before they become widely known.
Crucially, limiting access to the Joomla admin backend is emphasized. Employing IP filtering ensures that only authorized personnel can enter this sensitive area. Additionally, secure connections like SFTP or SSH are advised to access Joomla files.
Regular updates are your Joomla site’s vitamins, supplying essential security and stability. Not all updates are major overhauls; some may include minor tweaks for bug fixes or improvements.
Finally, Joomla’s security extensions act as digital bouncers, effectively fending hacking attempts.
Key Features of Joomla:
- The two-factor authentication system adds an extra layer of security beyond usernames and passwords.
- Comprehensive access control options for precise user permissions management.
- A security-focused codebase prioritizes building secure and reliable websites.
- Various security extensions, including tools to limit login attempts and protect against brute force attacks.
Best for:
Ideal for small to medium-sized businesses, non-profits, and educational institutions seeking a secure, scalable, and user-friendly CMS.
Pricing: Joomla is free and open-source.
4. Unveiling the Security Prowess of Adobe Commerce (formerly Magento)
Delve into the depths of Adobe Commerce and discover why it stands as an exceptional and secure CMS for your eCommerce endeavors.
This eCommerce powerhouse boasts PCI certification as a Level 1 Solution Provider, meeting the highest standards in payment security.
Equipped with a security scanning tool, Adobe Commerce allows continuous monitoring of your site, identifying risks, malware, or unauthorized access promptly.
Consumer interactions, especially during critical stages like checkout and account management, are fortified with HTTPS, ensuring a secure environment.
The Fastly web application firewall (WAF) adds an extra layer of defense, safeguarding against a spectrum of application-layer attacks and vulnerabilities.
Adobe Commerce excels at data encryption, utilizing Amazon Elastic Block Store (EBS) for storage and AES-256 algorithm encryption for data at rest. Customer passwords and sensitive credentials are securely hashed and encrypted.
Beyond this, Adobe Commerce ensures the secure storage and backup of everything from cloud activities to Linux, application servers, and database logs.
Lastly, the Adobe Commerce Cloud Pro’s virtual private cloud configuration provides an isolated and secure environment, enhancing overall security.
Key Features of Adobe Commerce:
- Continuous security scanning for monitoring sites against risks, malware, and unauthorized access.
- Fastly cloud-based WAF with advanced rules for protection against application-layer attacks and critical threats.
- Use a read-only Squash FS image for executable code to reduce the risk of code injection attacks.
- Controlled provisioning process for vetting any executable code, enhancing overall security.
Best for:
It is ideal for medium- to large-scale businesses and eCommerce enterprises seeking a highly secure, customizable, and scalable CMS with advanced features tailored to handling complex online transactions.
Pricing: Adobe Commerce offers bespoke pricing options through Adobe Commerce Pro and Managed Services plans.
5. TYPO3: Elevating Security Standards for Your Website and Users
TYPO3 sets the benchmark for robust security tools, ensuring unparalleled protection for your site and customers.
Employing industry-standard encryption algorithms like Argon2i and PBKDF2, TYPO3 safeguards your data under a digital lock and key.
Security is embedded in TYPO3’s DNA, with default practices such as storing files outside the web root and offering granular access rights to bolster overall protection.
Multi-factor authentication adds an extra layer of defense, ensuring the security of business-critical and sensitive user data. TYPO3’s flexibility extends to allowing password resets directly from its backend for added convenience.
Ensuring compliance with regulations like GDPR, TYPO3 recognizes the importance of maintaining user trust and confidence beyond avoiding penalties.
Designed to minimize downtime, TYPO3’s infrastructure protects your brand’s reputation, providing peace of mind.
TYPO3 GmbH’s Project Review service offers independent security audits for those seeking an additional layer of assurance. These are akin to having an expert team double-check your site’s defenses.
Whether managing sensitive user data or aiming to maintain a robust online presence, TYPO3 stands as a steadfast supporter and protector.
Key Features of TYPO3:
- Advanced access control mechanisms for configuring user permissions based on roles, IP addresses, and domains.
- Industry-standard encryption algorithms secure user data and prevent unauthorized access.
- Secure practices by default, including storing files outside the web root and providing granular asset access rights.
- Comprehensive audit trails for tracking and reverting changes and protection against Cross-Site Request Forgery in all backend modules.
Best for:
It is ideal for enterprises, government organizations, and large-scale websites that require a highly secure, customizable, and reliable CMS.
Pricing: TYPO3 is free and open-source.
6. Storyblok: Elevating Security Measures to Safeguard Your Content
Think of Storyblok’s security system as a cutting-edge surveillance network, meticulously monitoring and reviewing access with automated tools that swiftly detect and counter abnormal or suspicious activities, including brute force attacks.
When it comes to data hosting, Storyblok goes beyond GDPR compliance. Your data finds a secure home on Amazon AWS, ensuring a global reach while upholding stringent security standards.
Storyblok exclusively relies on secure HTTPS connections for all communications, creating a robust barrier against unwanted intrusions. Additionally, Amazon CloudWatch Alarms act as a vigilant guardian, instantly flagging unusual or malicious traffic.
Storyblok deploys a web application firewall (Amazon WAF) for its APIs, akin to an unbreakable shield against cyber threats. Any detected attack triggers an immediate update in WAF rules, effectively locking out the attacker.
Storyblok conducts monthly recovery tests to ensure resilience, including point-in-time database recovery and asset restoration. This practice guarantees a swift revival of your website in the unlikely event of a system failure.
Key Features of Storyblok:
- Automated tools for monitoring access and swiftly countering security threats, including brute force attacks.
- Amazon CloudWatch Alarms for automatic detection of unusual and malicious traffic.
- Data backup to a secondary physical location and daily to Amazon S3, with a 30-day retention period and changelog.
- Utilization of Amazon WAF for APIs, providing robust defenses against cross-site scripting, brute force attacks, and SQL injection threats.
Best for:
It is ideal for businesses, digital agencies, and content creators seeking a versatile, user-friendly, and highly secure CMS for dynamic online storytelling.
Pricing: Storyblok offers a free plan for small projects and multiple premium packages, starting at $106/month.
7. Kentico
Kentico goes above and beyond to secure your digital presence, implementing multiple layers of protection. It stands out with flexible authentication options, offering simplicity with forms, social logins, SSO, and multi-factor authentication.
Kentico empowers you to finely tune access to your sites, applications, and content. You can create and customize user profiles, import them from external systems, or allow visitors to sign up directly on your website.
Incorporating tools like Google reCAPTCHA and double opt-in for user registrations helps combat spam and unauthorized access, reducing the risk of bot interference.
ISO 27001 security certification, regular security testing and reviews, and adherence to OWASP secure development principles underscore Kentico’s commitment to security.
Kentico, a comprehensive, secure, and environmentally conscious CMS, excels in managing digital content professionally.
Key Features of Kentico:
- Separating data, administration, and the live site across different servers enhances overall security.
- Support various authentication methods catering to different use cases like B2E, B2B, and B2C.
- Effective spam reduction and user authenticity verification through Google reCAPTCHA and double opt-in mechanisms for user registrations.
- Commitment to a 7-day bug-fixing policy and regular security updates, addressing vulnerabilities promptly, and maintaining system integrity.
Best for:
Kentico is ideal for medium to large enterprises and organizations requiring a highly secure, customizable, and feature-rich CMS for complex website and content management needs.
Pricing:
Kentico offers multiple pricing options, with the self-hosted standard tier plan at $990/month being the most cost-effective.
8. Ghost
The Ghost security team, comprising full-time staff and dedicated volunteer experts, consistently safeguards the platform against threats through rigorous penetration testing, ensuring Ghost’s defenses remain sharp and up-to-date.
Ghost prioritizes SSL, with its CLI tool automatically configuring SSL certificates for new installations using Let’s Encrypt, moving towards making SSL mandatory.
Adhering to OWASP Standards, Ghost-CLI avoids running as root and correctly sets server directory permissions, establishing a standardized and secure environment for your content.
To combat brute force attacks, this headless CMS restricts login attempts and password reset requests, limiting the chances of unwanted intruders gaining access.
Ghost treats your data with utmost care, employing intense serialization, validation on database entries, and automated symlink protection for uploads.
To enhance security, Ghost uses base64 encoding for all user tokens. This provides an additional layer of protection through single-use and time-limited tokens, preventing misuse even if intercepted.
Ghost’s meticulous dependency management, utilizing tools like GitHub and yarn audit, ensures the integrity of every component in its ecosystem.
Key Features of Ghost:
- The CLI tool automatically sets up SSL certificates for all new installations, making secure HTTPS connections a standard feature to protect data in transit.
- Effectively reduces the risk of brute force attacks on user accounts by limiting user login attempts and password reset requests to 5 per hour per IP address.
- Rigorous data serialization and validation for all database inputs and automated symlink protection for uploaded files, ensuring data integrity and protection against common vulnerabilities.
- Following OWASP authentication guidelines, Ghost hashes and salts all passwords using bcrypt, a robust method for ensuring password security.
Best for:
Ghost is ideal for bloggers, journalists, and content creators seeking a secure, streamlined, and user-friendly CMS focused on efficiently publishing and managing content.
Pricing:
Ghost is free and open-source, with paid managed solutions starting at $9/month. You only need to pay for the Ghost hosting services.
9. Shopify
Shopify is a digital guardian, safeguarding your store and customer data. Every Shopify store is inherently PCI compliant, providing a robust security umbrella that shields your payment information and business data.
This compliance is integral to Shopify’s platform, instilling peace of mind with each transaction by covering all six critical PCI categories:
1. Maintaining a secure network: Shopify consistently reinforces its network against cyber threats, ensuring an impenetrable digital infrastructure for your store.
2. Protecting cardholder data: Advanced encryption and security protocols are employed to secure sensitive payment information.
3. Vulnerability management program: Continuous vigilance in identifying and addressing vulnerabilities keeps Shopify resilient against emerging security threats.
4. Strong access control measures: Strict regulation of access to sensitive data and systems ensures that only authorized personnel have entry.
5. Regular monitoring and testing of networks: Frequent testing and monitoring swiftly detect and rectify any security anomalies in Shopify’s networks.
6. Robust information security policy: Shopify maintains a comprehensive information security policy, setting high data protection and risk management standards.
Shopify’s holistic security approach provides a dependable foundation for your online store.
Key Features of Shopify:
- PCI compliance by default ensures adherence to security standards for handling credit card information and maintaining business data safety.
- Secure payment processing with advanced encryption, protecting merchant and customer data during transactions.
- Built-in tools for fraud analysis automatically flag potentially fraudulent transactions, reducing the risk of chargebacks and financial loss.
- Every Shopify store includes an SSL certificate at no extra cost, which encrypts data sent to and from the website.
- Strong access control measures, including options for two-factor authentication.
Best for:
Shopify caters to small- to medium-sized businesses and entrepreneurs who are seeking a secure, intuitive, and comprehensive eCommerce platform for building and managing their online stores.
Pricing: The entry-level plan costs $32/month. You can test it for free for three days; upon commitment, you only pay $1/month for the first three months.
10. Wix
With enterprise-grade security expertly managed, Wix safeguards your site against diverse online threats, allowing you to concentrate on your business with peace of mind.
Wix meticulously adheres to strict security practices throughout its development process, incorporating rigorous testing and reviews to ensure a robust platform from the inside out.
Top-notch data encryption, featuring HTTPS and AES-256 encryption, guarantees your site’s and user data’s security.
Wix’s alignment with the highest Payment Card Industry Data Standards and robust anti-fraud measures for online transactions ensures the safety and security of every processed payment.
Furthermore, Wix’s vigilant 24/7 monitoring and cutting-edge anti-DDoS measures maintain your site’s resilience and ensure uninterrupted uptime.
Wix seamlessly combines the simplicity of crafting beautiful websites with the assurance of top-tier security measures.
Key Features of Wix:
- Comprehensive security managed by experts, covering threat prevention, real-time detection, and rapid response for a high level of website protection.
- Security best practices are integrated into every stage of Wix’s development process, encompassing design, code reviews, threat modeling, and penetration testing, for a robust and secure platform.
- All Wix sites comply with the highest Payment Card Industry Data Standards and feature anti-fraud protection for secure transactions.
- Wix operates a stringent 3rd-Party Risk Management Program, ensuring external vendors meet high-security standards, minimizing potential vulnerabilities.
Best for:
Wix caters to small business owners, entrepreneurs, and creatives searching for an easy-to-use, visually appealing, and secure CMS for building and managing their online presence.
Pricing: You can start with Wix’s limited free plan or explore premium solutions beginning at $10+/month.
Conclusion:
Ensuring the security of your CMS is a multifaceted task involving a combination of built-in features, regular updates, third-party plugins, and robust hosting. It’s crucial to adopt a proactive approach, stay informed about potential threats, and implement best practices to safeguard your website and its data. Whether using a free CMS or a premium platform, a vigilant and well-maintained security strategy is key to maintaining a secure digital presence.
FAQs on CMS:
What makes a CMS secure?
A secure CMS typically incorporates robust security features such as stringent password enforcement, regular security updates, data encryption, and defenses against common threats like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS).
Is WordPress a secure CMS?
Yes, WordPress can be highly secure when maintained properly. This involves regular updates, using secure plugins and themes, implementing solid passwords, and using security plugins.
How often should a CMS be updated for security?
It should be updated as soon as new updates are available. Regular updates are critical for patching security vulnerabilities and maintaining the CMS’s overall security.
Can free CMS platforms be secure?
Many free CMS platforms can be secure, but their security depends largely on how well they are maintained, updated, and configured.
What are the most secure CMS platforms?
WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal are widely considered secure CMS platforms, particularly when accompanied by proper maintenance and security practices.
Do CMS platforms come with built-in security features?
Most CMS platforms have basic built-in security features, but we recommend additional measures such as security plugins and regular maintenance to enhance security.
How important is hosting for CMS security?
Hosting is essential. A reputable hosting provider offers additional security measures like firewalls, intrusion detection, and regular backups.
Should I use security plugins for my CMS?
Yes, security plugins can significantly enhance your CMS’s security by adding features like firewalls, malware scanning, and brute-force attack prevention.
How do backups contribute to CMS security?
Regular backups ensure that, in the event of a security breach or data loss, you can restore your website to its previous state, minimizing damage and data loss.
Are there specific security risks for eCommerce CMS platforms?
Yes, eCommerce platforms face specific threats such as payment fraud, data breaches involving customer information, and DDoS attacks. Ensuring PCI compliance and using secure payment gateways are crucial for security.
