SayPro – 100 Cybersecurity Best Practices for Web Platforms

SayPro Generate 100 cybersecurity best practices for web platforms such as SayPro from SayPro Monthly February SCMR-17 SayPro Monthly IT Services: Software development, cybersecurity, and IT support by SayPro Online Marketplace Office under SayPro Marketing Royalty

Section 1: Authentication & Access Control (1–20)

1. Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all admin and sensitive user logins.
2. Use Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) to restrict permissions.
3. Implement Session Expiration Policies to auto-logout idle sessions.
4. Limit Login Attempts to prevent brute-force attacks.
5. Use Strong Password Requirements (length, complexity, change cycle).
6. Secure Password Storage using bcrypt, scrypt, or Argon2.
7. Use OAuth 2.0 or OpenID Connect for third-party authentication.
8. Log and Monitor All Login Attempts for abnormal behavior.
9. Set Up Administrative Access Alerts for suspicious login behavior.
10. Disable Legacy or Inactive Accounts regularly.
11. Implement IP Whitelisting for admin or internal dashboards.
12. Enforce Device Authorization for Critical Access.
13. Prohibit Shared User Credentials.
14. Use Unique API Keys per Integration.
15. Apply Just-in-Time Access Controls for temporary privilege escalation.
16. Enable Captcha on Login Pages.
17. Encrypt Authentication Tokens both at rest and in transit.
18. Use Session Tokens with Expiry and Rotation.
19. Deploy Biometric Authentication Options (e.g., fingerprint for mobile apps).
20. Conduct Regular Access Audits and Reviews.

🧱 Section 2: Infrastructure Security (21–40)

21. Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to protect against common attacks.
22. Patch Servers Regularly (OS, libraries, runtimes).
23. Use Container Security Tools (like Aqua, Prisma Cloud).
24. Enforce TLS 1.2 or higher for all web communication.
25. Disable Insecure Protocols (e.g., FTP, Telnet).
26. Isolate Production, Staging, and Development Environments.
27. Run Services with Least Privilege accounts.
28. Enable Firewall Rules for Inbound/Outbound Traffic.
29. Use Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) tools.
30. Scan for Open Ports Regularly.
31. Ensure Database Access is Internal-only.
32. Use Bastion Hosts for SSH Access.
33. Restrict Root Access and Use Sudo Logs.
34. Disable Unused Services on Servers.
35. Automate Infrastructure as Code (IaC) with Security Checks.
36. Encrypt All Storage Disks (e.g., EBS, S3, Cloud SQL).
37. Monitor CPU, Disk, and Network Usage for Anomalies.
38. Enable Cloud Audit Logging and Monitoring.
39. Apply Network Segmentation for Microservices.
40. Use Secrets Management Systems (Vault, AWS Secrets Manager).

🧪 Section 3: Application Security (41–60)

41. Conduct Static Code Analysis (SAST) pre-deployment.
42. Implement Dynamic Application Testing (DAST) regularly.
43. Sanitize All User Inputs to Prevent XSS/SQLi.
44. Use Prepared Statements and ORM Libraries to avoid SQL injection.
45. Validate All API Requests and Parameters.
46. Use CSRF Tokens for Forms and Actions.
47. Secure File Uploads with MIME Type & Extension Checks.
48. Implement Rate Limiting and Throttling.
49. Use Content Security Policy (CSP) Headers.
50. Minimize Data Stored on Client Side (e.g., localStorage).
51. Avoid Exposing Internal APIs to Public Network.
52. Disable Directory Listing on Web Servers.
53. Scan Third-party Libraries for Vulnerabilities (e.g., using Snyk, OWASP Dependency Check).
54. Display Generic Error Messages to Users (log detailed info internally).
55. Verify Integrity of Packages via Checksums.
56. Use HTTPS Strict Transport Security (HSTS).
57. Secure Admin Dashboards Behind VPN or 2FA.
58. Obfuscate Sensitive Source Code on Frontend.
59. Regularly Conduct Penetration Testing (manual & automated).
60. Restrict Inline Scripts Using Nonce-based CSP Headers.

🔄 Section 4: Data Protection & Privacy (61–80)

61. Encrypt Sensitive User Data at Rest (AES-256).
62. Encrypt Data in Transit Using TLS/SSL.
63. Apply Data Masking on Logs and Interfaces.
64. Follow Data Retention and Disposal Policies.
65. Log All Access to Sensitive Data.
66. Ensure GDPR and POPIA Compliance.
67. Anonymize or Pseudonymize Personal Data Where Possible.
68. Secure API Endpoints with Authentication and Authorization.
69. Limit Personal Data Exposure via APIs.
70. Implement “Right to Be Forgotten” Workflow.
71. Avoid Logging Passwords, Tokens, and Payment Details.
72. Use Tokenization for Payment Data.
73. Conduct Regular Data Flow Mapping.
74. Set Up Secure Backups with Encryption.
75. Test Backup Recovery and Integrity.
76. Apply Minimum Necessary Data Practices.
77. Enable DLP (Data Loss Prevention) Solutions.
78. Redact Sensitive Info from Error Screenshots or PDFs.
79. Monitor for Unauthorized Data Export Activities.
80. Use Email Encryption for Sensitive Communication.

🛡️ Section 5: Monitoring, Auditing & Incident Response (81–100)

81. Enable Real-time Threat Detection Tools (e.g., SIEMs).
82. Maintain an Incident Response Plan (IRP).
83. Log All System Events Centrally.
84. Use Anomaly Detection Systems.
85. Run Regular Vulnerability Scans (Nessus, Qualys, etc.).
86. Use Audit Trails for Key Admin Activities.
87. Create Honeytokens and Trap Accounts for intruder detection.
88. Conduct Security Drills/Simulations quarterly.
89. Define SLA for Security Incidents.
90. Auto-alert on Suspicious Behavior (e.g., data export, access spike).
91. Ensure Time-synchronized Logging (NTP configured).
92. Limit Retention of Sensitive Logs (as per compliance).
93. Rotate and Archive Logs Securely.
94. Notify Relevant Stakeholders on Breach Events.
95. Perform Root Cause Analysis Post-Incident.
96. Verify Patch Effectiveness After Incident Resolution.
97. Subscribe to Vulnerability Alerts and Security Feeds (CVE, NVD).
98. Ensure Staff is Trained on Phishing and Social Engineering Attacks.
99. Review Permissions and Logs During Offboarding of Employees.
100. Update Security Policies Every 6–12 Months.

✅ Summary & Application to SayPro

All cybersecurity practices listed should be incorporated into:

• SayPro’s IT Policies & Admin Procedures
• Development Sprints (via Secure SDLC practices)
• DevOps & Monitoring (via SayPro Monthly DevOps Reports)
• SayPro’s Cybersecurity Risk Audit Checklist Template
• SayPro Staff Security Awareness Training