Drupal Security Checklist: 20 Steps To Protect Your Drupal Website

Drupal is renowned for its robust security framework, but no content management system (CMS) is immune to vulnerabilities. Protecting your Drupal website requires a proactive approach to security. In this blog, we outline a comprehensive 20-step security checklist to safeguard your Drupal site and ensure it stays protected against potential threats.

Why Drupal Security Matters

Drupal’s flexibility and power make it a preferred CMS for enterprises, governments, and nonprofits. However, its popularity also makes it a target for malicious actors. Here’s why security is critical:

• Data Protection: Safeguard sensitive user and business data.
• SEO and Reputation: Prevent blacklisting by search engines due to hacked content.
• Compliance: Meet legal and industry standards like GDPR and HIPAA.
• Business Continuity: Avoid downtime caused by cyberattacks.

The Ultimate Drupal Security Checklist

Step 1: Update Core and Modules Regularly

Keep your Drupal core, contributed modules, and themes up-to-date. Security patches are released frequently to address vulnerabilities.

Step 2: Use Strong Passwords and Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)

• Enforce complex password policies.
• Enable MFA for administrator accounts.

Step 3: Configure Permissions Carefully

Limit roles and permissions to the minimum required. Avoid using the "Administrator" role unnecessarily.

Step 4: Enable HTTPS

Install an SSL certificate to encrypt data in transit. Tools like Let’s Encrypt offer free SSL options.

Step 5: Utilize Security Modules

Install Drupal security modules such as:

• Security Kit: Mitigate risks like XSS and CSRF.
• Login Security: Limit failed login attempts.
• SpamSpan: Block spam submissions.

Step 6: Regular Backups

Automate backups of your site files and database. Store them securely offsite.

Step 7: Restrict Access by IP

Use IP whitelisting to restrict admin access to trusted IPs only.

Step 8: Use a Web Application Firewall (WAF)

Tools like Cloudflare or Sucuri provide a firewall to block malicious traffic.

Also read: Where & How To Host Your Drupal Website?

Step 9: Harden File Permissions

Set proper file permissions:

• Files: 644
• Directories: 755
• Settings.php: 444

Step 10: Disable Unused Modules and Features

Uninstall modules and themes you don’t use to reduce attack vectors.

Step 11: Monitor Your Website

Use monitoring tools to detect changes or anomalies in your website:

• Nagios
• New Relic
• Drupal’s Watchdog Logs

Step 12: Employ Database Security

• Use a strong password for the database.
• Restrict database access to your server only.
• Regularly audit database logs.

Step 13: Secure Admin Interface

Change the default admin path from "/user" to a custom URL.

Step 14: Enable Content Moderation

Control who can publish or edit content to prevent unauthorized changes.

Step 15: Conduct Regular Security Audits

Perform periodic security assessments using tools like Drupal’s Security Review module.

Also read: Why Choose Drupal As Your Restaurant CMS in 2025?

Step 16: Limit Debugging Information

Turn off error reporting on live sites to prevent revealing sensitive information.

Step 17: Implement CAPTCHA

Add CAPTCHA to forms to prevent spam bots from submitting fake data.

Step 18: Utilize a CDN for DDoS Protection

Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) like Akamai or Cloudflare offer protection against Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks.

Step 19: Secure Hosting Environment

Choose a reliable hosting provider that specializes in Drupal and offers:

• Regular security updates.
• Server-level firewalls.
• Malware scanning.

Step 20: Educate Your Team

Train your team on best practices for website security, such as recognizing phishing emails and avoiding insecure plugins.

How to Stay Ahead in Drupal Security

• Subscribe to the Drupal Security Mailing List to receive updates on vulnerabilities.
• Participate in the Drupal Community for advice and shared experiences.
• Use tools like Acquia Security Scanner to proactively identify weaknesses.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Ignoring Updates: Outdated software is a primary entry point for hackers.
2. Using Default Admin Credentials: Always change default usernames and passwords.
3. Relying Solely on Backups: Prevention is better than recovery.
4. Underestimating User Roles: Granting excessive permissions can lead to misuse or breaches.
5. Neglecting Monitoring: Without proper monitoring, you might not detect a breach until it’s too late.

Conclusion

Securing your Drupal website is an ongoing process that demands vigilance and proactive measures. By following this 20-step Drupal security checklist, you can significantly reduce vulnerabilities and ensure your website remains secure in 2025 and beyond. If you’re unsure where to start or need expert guidance, Drupalify’s experienced developers are here to help. Protect your Drupal website today for a safer, more reliable online presence.

Feeling overwhelmed by security challenges? Let Drupalify handle your Drupal website's security needs with expert care and comprehensive solutions.