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Digital Marketing, Website Design

When Selecting a Secure CMS - There is Still No Clear Winner

by Peter DudkaNovember 24, 2015
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Over the past 5 years, Bluetext has designed over 100 enterprise websites, and over that time the CMS question has evolved – like most technologies – from what is the best CMS for my organization to which platform is most secure.  Both open source and proprietary options can and do make a strong security argument, however for the most part the answer to the question lies completely outside of either platform.

The leading open source platforms – Drupal & WordPress – are developed by a community of thousands of developers around the world. And while the software code by its very nature is open and visible, vulnerabilities can be identified and corrected far more quickly due to the sheer number of developers testing it versus those in a closed source environment. The obvious downside being that these vulnerabilities also have the potential to be exploited by more unsavory characters for the short time they are exposed – which together with the number of prominent sites on the platform – works only to ensure a more secure code base.

On the other hand, from a closed source perspective, the platform is owned by a very small team of specialists who are developing code that the world has no visibility to. What this means is, that while best practices are put in place to protect against potential vulnerabilities, it is all done so in theory versus the perpetual vigilance of a global open source community. So, just because the code is developed in a closed environment, it doesn’t make it any more secure than it’s more open minded brethren.

From a global CMS perspective, it is impossible to claim definitively that one is more secure than the other due to all of the external variables they are exposed to during their lifecycle. The most critical path to optimal security is making sure the CMS software is well maintained well and kept up to date to ensure that no vulnerabilities are left open.

But as I suggested right up front, the majority of security challenges lie completely outside of the platform –the CMS is just one piece to the security puzzle – the user base it interacts with and the server environment it sits in everyday are the other external variables that will prevent any CMS from ever being completely secure – so there is no clear winner here.

Your organization’s ability to implement sound security practices globally will have a much greater impact on the security of your CMS than whether you are in an open or closed source environment. A strong digital agency partner can also help ensure that your CMS is tested and updated on a regular basis to provide optimal security across your digital enterprise.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is there no clear winner between open source and closed source CMS platforms?

Both open source and closed source CMS options have strengths and weaknesses. Open source benefits from large developer communities that quickly address vulnerabilities, while closed source is maintained by small expert teams. Neither can guarantee total security, so the choice depends more on maintenance and security practices.

How does open source CMS like Drupal or WordPress address vulnerabilities?

Because the code is open to thousands of developers worldwide, vulnerabilities are often identified and patched quickly. However, this openness also means vulnerabilities are visible to malicious actors until resolved.

Are closed source CMS platforms automatically more secure?

Not necessarily. While their code is hidden, fewer people can identify vulnerabilities, meaning flaws may persist longer. Security depends more on how frequently updates and patches are released.

What factors impact CMS security beyond the platform itself?

Server environment, user practices, and regular updates are often bigger contributors to security than whether the CMS is open or closed source.

How can organizations ensure CMS security long-term?

Organizations should keep CMS software updated, enforce strong user practices, and regularly test systems with the help of a trusted digital agency partner.