Choosing a hosting company that provides reliable secure servers can be difficult if you don’t know what you should be looking for. The factors listed here will help you understand the different options available to you and point you toward the provider that best fits your needs. (For our rundown on the top hosting secure hosting companies, go here.)
1) RAID
RAID is a special form of server architecture that provides an extra layer of data protection. RAID keeps your files secure from malicious access even in the case of system crashes. RAID support is somewhat expensive, so it is left off of many shared server plans. RAID is often available as an add-on service if you pay an extra fee, and some security-oriented providers offer RAID pre-installed on their servers. Check RAID details carefully before you pick a provider.
2) Datacentre Security
According to Bithost.io which provides cheap VPS bitcoin hosting, even you need a secure server solution, you need to consider real-world adversity as well as being targeted by hackers. Natural disasters can wreak havoc on hosting providers — anything from a hurricane to a power outage could take your server down or render it vulnerable. The best providers have plans in place to minimize the amount of damage caused by disasters. Common protection measures include on-site power generators, redundant data centers, and strong physical security measures. Note that reputable hosting providers will be upfront about the locations of their data centers. If you’re particularly concerned about security, you can exercise a preference for data centers located in less disaster-prone regions.
3) Uptime
Uptime is a key performance metric for hosting services. It is the percentage of the time that your website is online and fully accessible to your visitors and/or clients. Today, it’s common for providers to claim 100% uptime, but the reality is often more complicated. Cloud hosting plans are the only ones in a position to guarantee 100% uptime. And the good news is, cloud hosting has progressed considerably in the past decade — former concerns about security holes have been addressed and cloud hosting plans compete with other service options on an even playing field when it comes to security.
If for whatever reason, cloud hosting doesn’t suit your needs, you can still get by with a secure hosting provider that can deliver a guaranteed uptime of at least 99.9 percent. Brief service outages are survivable, particularly if your organization is a small start-up without a constant stream of website visitors. If, on the other hand, you do expect to have constant website traffic, it’s a good idea to look for a hosting plan that reimburses you for downtime.
4) Backup Options
Most hosting providers will at least give you the option of backing up your website data. This is usually done at daily, weekly, or monthly intervals. Daily backups are, of course, the most convenient, offering minimal data loss if your server crashes badly.
Some web hosts also give you a manual backup capability. This is a great option if you tend to make important but infrequent updates to your website; you can run a manual backup each time you do. But many providers that offer this service also set a cap on the amount of data you can backup within a given time frame.
Read backup conditions carefully and make sure you’re getting service that meets your needs. You should consider all of the following points:
- How automated are the backups?
- How many backups are kept?
- Is the manual backup process easy to use?
- Where is backup data stored?
- Are there any extra costs associated with backups?
If you rely on WordPress to manage your website, keep in mind that you can add plugins (free or paid) to provide automated backups.
5) Manual Reboots
Many hosting plans both dedicated and shared options, provide an offer manual reboot service. This puts a “server restart” function into your control panel. Manual reboots can be extremely helpful if you have minor website problems or are making a major update. A manual reboot is often enough to resolve your server issues, freeing you of the need to contact your provider’s customer service department. 24/7 customer service is a common feature in a good secured hosting plan, though, so that you can resolve problems at any time.