Is WordPress Secure? Debunking IT Myths & Making Your Case

WordPress Development often gets dismissed as “insecure,” but that’s usually due to poor management, not the platform itself.

If WordPress were inherently unsafe, high-profile organisations like NASA, Healthdirect Australia, and London School of Economics wouldn’t use it.

The reality? WordPress is as secure as the effort you put into maintaining it.

Addressing IT’s Security Concerns

Security isn’t about the CMS — it’s about hosting, updates, and best practices. Here’s how to counter common objections with facts.

1. “WordPress gets hacked too easily.”

Because WordPress is widely used, it’s a common target for attacks — but that doesn’t mean it’s inherently vulnerable. Hacks typically happen due to outdated software, weak passwords, or poor configurations.

Solution:

• Keep WordPress core, themes, and plugins updated.
• Enforce strong passwords and two-factor authentication.
• Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF) like Cloudflare or Sucuri.

2. “Plugins introduce security risks.”

Poorly maintained or pirated plugins can be risky, but that’s a selection issue, not a WordPress issue.

Solution:

• Only use plugins from trusted sources with active development.
• Remove unused or outdated plugins.
• Implement security plugins like Wordfence for proactive monitoring.

3. “Hosting WordPress is a security liability.”

Some IT teams hesitate to manage WordPress, fearing it requires constant security oversight.

Solution:

• Use managed WordPress hosting (like ours!) for built-in security, automatic updates, and daily backups.
• Regularly audit security settings and limit admin access.

4. “WordPress isn’t secure enough for enterprises.”

Major enterprises, healthcare providers and government agencies trust WordPress.

Solution:

• Enterprise-grade hosting providers offer advanced security and compliance support.
• Headless WordPress setups improve security by separating the CMS from the frontend.
• Custom security configurations can match industry-specific needs.

What This Means for Your IT Meeting

IT’s hesitation is understandable, but dismissing WordPress outright is shortsighted. Here’s how to make your case:

1. Hosting Handles Security: WordPress doesn’t need to be self-hosted — enterprise-grade providers handle security at scale.
2. Best Practices Make the Difference: Regular updates, strong passwords, and security plugins keep WordPress secure.
3. Marketing Efficiency: WordPress empowers marketing teams to update content, build landing pages, and integrate tools without IT intervention.
4. Challenge the Alternatives: Ask IT to present a CMS with better security features that doesn’t require ongoing updates and maintenance.

Bottom line: Saying “WordPress is insecure” is like saying “Windows is insecure.” Any platform can be a liability if mismanaged, but with the right security strategy, WordPress is a powerful, flexible, and secure choice.

WordPress Security Audit Checklist

A comprehensive WordPress security audit should evaluate various aspects of the website, from core configurations to plugins, themes, and server settings…

1. WordPress Core Security

• Ensure WordPress is running the latest stable version.
• Disable directory listing via .htaccess or nginx.conf.
• Remove unnecessary default files (e.g., readme.html, license.txt).
• Check for file and directory permissions (e.g., wp-config.php set to 440 or 400).
• Ensure automatic background updates are enabled (define(‘WP_AUTO_UPDATE_CORE’, true);).

2. User & Authentication Security

• Ensure all admin accounts use strong, unique passwords.
• Verify multi-factor authentication (MFA) is enabled for administrators.
• Check user roles and permissions — remove unnecessary admin/editor roles.
• Disable XML-RPC if not needed (add_filter(‘xmlrpc_enabled’, ‘__return_false’);).
• Change the default “admin” username to something unique.

3. Plugin & Theme Security

• Remove unused and outdated plugins/themes.
• Ensure all active plugins and themes are regularly updated.
• Verify plugins/themes are downloaded from reputable sources (WordPress.org, ThemeForest, etc.).
• Check for abandoned plugins (no updates in 12+ months).
• Scan for known vulnerabilities using a tool like WPScan or Wordfence.

4. Server & Hosting Security

• Ensure the hosting environment uses PHP 8.x or the latest stable version.
• Verify HTTPS is enforced via SSL/TLS.
• Disable unnecessary services or ports on the server.
• Ensure server firewall rules are in place (e.g., block access to wp-config.php).
• Enable malware scanning at the server level.

5. Database Security

• Change the default WordPress database prefix (wp_ → something random).
• Ensure database user has minimal required privileges.
• Enable regular automated database backups.
• Use secure database connection settings (define(‘DB_SSL’, true);).

6. Security Plugins & Monitoring

• Install and configure a WordPress security plugin (e.g., Wordfence, iThemes Security, Sucuri).
• Enable activity logging to track user and file changes.
• Enable brute-force attack protection (e.g., limit login attempts).
• Set up alerts for suspicious activity (file modifications, failed logins, etc.).
• Ensure a Web Application Firewall (WAF) is enabled.

7. Backup & Disaster Recovery

• Ensure automated backups are scheduled (daily/weekly).
• Verify backups are stored securely offsite (cloud storage, external server).
• Test backup restoration process regularly.
• Have a documented recovery plan for hacked sites.

8. Performance & Security Hardening

• Enable content security policies (CSP) to prevent XSS attacks.
• Implement security headers (X-Frame-Options, X-XSS-Protection, Referrer-Policy).
• Minimise the number of external scripts and third-party integrations.
• Scan for suspicious code or malware.
• Ensure session expiration is enforced after inactivity.

Final Thoughts: Security Is a Strategy, Not a Platform Problem

WordPress isn’t the problem — neglect is. With the right hosting, security plugins, update practices, and user protocols in place, WordPress can be just as secure as any enterprise CMS. The fact that mission-critical organisations like NASA and The White House trust it should give your IT team pause before writing it off.

If you’re serious about addressing IT concerns, don’t just make a case — show them a plan. Run a security audit. Present a proactive maintenance strategy. Talk through managed hosting options and real-world use cases. Most importantly, shift the conversation from “Why not WordPress?” to “Here’s how we secure it.”

Start with a full security audit using our WordPress Security Audit Checklist, and show IT that you’re not just choosing a CMS—you’re choosing a secure, scalable, and marketing-friendly solution.

Need help putting together your strategy? Let’s talk. WordPress isn’t just viable—it’s a smart move when done right.