Security plugins like Wordfence and Sucuri are good starting points, but enterprise WordPress sites need more. When you handle sensitive customer data, process payments, or run business-critical operations, basic plugins are not enough.

Why Enterprise Security Is Different

Enterprise sites face unique threats: targeted attacks (not just automated bots), higher value data means more motivated attackers, compliance requirements (GDPR, PCI DSS, HIPAA), and reputation damage from breaches is severe.

Security Architecture Layers

Layer 1: Network Security

A Web Application Firewall (WAF) sits in front of your site and blocks malicious requests. Options include Cloudflare WAF, AWS WAF, Sucuri WAF, and ModSecurity. DDoS protection from providers like Cloudflare or AWS Shield is essential for business-critical sites.

Layer 2: Server Security

Keep server software updated, use SSH keys instead of passwords, disable unnecessary services, configure firewall rules, and enable fail2ban to block brute force attempts.

Layer 3: Application Security

Implement file integrity monitoring to detect unauthorized changes. Configure HTTP security headers: Content-Security-Policy, X-Frame-Options, X-Content-Type-Options, Strict-Transport-Security, and Referrer-Policy.

Access Control

Follow the principle of least privilege – users should have only the permissions they need. Require two-factor authentication for all admin users using TOTP apps or hardware keys. Consider IP restrictions to limit wp-admin access to specific addresses or VPN connections.

Monitoring and Response

For enterprise environments, send security logs to a SIEM system for analysis. Have a documented incident response plan covering who to contact, how to isolate systems, backup restoration procedures, and compliance notification requirements.

Regular Security Practices

• Penetration testing – Annual or after major changes
• Vulnerability scanning – Weekly automated scans
• Code review – For custom development
• Dependency monitoring – Track vulnerabilities in plugins
• Backup testing – Regularly verify backups work

Need a security assessment? Contact our security team.