AI has raised the stakes for website security

Six WordPress core vulnerabilities in 2025, all classified as low severity. Twenty-seven so far in 2026, including two remote code execution flaws. And the year is not over.

For me, this is not just a WordPress story. AI has moved security to a different level of importance. It helps defenders find weaknesses, but it also helps attackers analyse systems, adapt malicious code and automate their work. Whether you use open-source software or a custom-built application, staying unnoticed is not a security strategy.

The damage goes beyond your website

“They can only change our content.” That assumption can be expensive.

Depending on the access gained, attackers could steal customer information, interrupt checkout and stop online sales, or inject a fake payment form to capture customers’ card details. They could also use your infrastructure to send phishing emails, damaging your domain’s reputation and affecting the delivery of your legitimate email.

For the technical team, that means investigation and recovery. For the business, it means lost revenue, disrupted operations and damaged trust. That is why I see security as part of product quality, not an optional task after launch.

A different platform does not remove the risk

Open-source software benefits from shared scrutiny and fixes. Custom software gives you more control, but also more responsibility. Neither is secure without ongoing maintenance.

Well-designed headless architecture can significantly improve security and provide a stronger long-term foundation. Separating the public website from the CMS lets us restrict backend access and expose only what the frontend needs. That is why I see headless as a safer long-term direction where this separation makes sense.

But the CMS, APIs, integrations and credentials still need protection. Restricted access, updates and monitoring remain essential. An exposed backend with vulnerable plugins undermines the advantage.

What that responsibility looks like

At Optiweb, we combine prevention, detection and recovery, with the exact setup depending on the project and the agreed service scope.

It starts during development, where code and dependency scanning help identify weaknesses before release. Those findings need to be assessed and addressed, not merely collected in a report. After launch, maintenance and patching take over: the CMS, plugins, frameworks and operating system all need attention. Automated updates help where appropriate, while other changes require testing.

Access needs the same discipline. Permissions should have a clear purpose, approval and timely removal. Administrative and infrastructure access should be restricted to approved IP addresses or secured through a VPN where appropriate, and unnecessary services and endpoints should not remain exposed.

Monitoring only works if alerts have an owner and a response process behind them. A website can be online and still be compromised. And when something does go wrong, having a backup is not enough. You need to know whether it can be restored, how much data you could lose and how long recovery would take.

Where the project’s risk profile justifies it, we also offer WAF protection as an additional service. It adds a defensive layer, but it does not replace secure code or timely patching.

Processes make the tools dependable

We are working towards ISO/IEC 27001 certification to strengthen our security processes and accountability. Cyber insurance helps manage the remaining risk, but it does not replace prevention or recovery.

Do you know where your website stands?

You do not need every security tool available. You need the right controls, clear responsibilities and an honest understanding of the gaps.

Get in touch with us to discuss a security review of your website or online store. We will agree on the scope based on your technology, business impact and existing setup.