Chris Spann, Technical SEO Lead at Lumar, discusses the intersection of SEO and security, highlighting the challenges faced, the significance of log file monitoring for SEO, and the misconceptions about security. They also explore the difficulties of working with larger companies, recent leaks in the gaming industry, and the importance of collaboration between SEO and security teams.
Building strong relationships with network teams can foster collaboration and support for SEO efforts.
Addressing security vulnerabilities is essential to protect a company's image and mitigate reputational and financial losses.
Understanding that security encompasses more than just personal data helps SEO professionals collaborate effectively and implement comprehensive security measures.
Deep dives
The importance of building relationships with network teams
It is crucial for SEO professionals to develop strong relationships with network teams. By demonstrating your worth and showing an understanding of their concerns and priorities, you can foster collaboration and mutual support. Sharing insights and findings, such as dev environments in the list of crawled subdomains or security vulnerabilities, can demonstrate the importance of SEO and help address potential issues.
The impact of security on SEO and business reputation
Security vulnerabilities can have a significant impact on SEO and business reputation. Leaked information, defamatory language appearing in URLs, or malicious links can all damage a company's image and result in reputational and financial losses. Highlighting these risks and collaborating with security teams can help mitigate vulnerabilities and protect the brand's standing.
The importance of holistic security measures
SEO professionals should understand that security goes beyond personal data or financial risks. It encompasses issues like reputation, industry competitiveness, and compliance with regulations. By broadening the understanding of security within the organization, SEO professionals can collaborate effectively with network teams to implement comprehensive security measures.
The role of crawling and indexing in security
Crawling and indexing processes play a vital role in identifying security vulnerabilities and potential risks. Being able to identify hacked or insecure URLs, leaked information, or compromised subdomains can help businesses take immediate action to address these issues. By leveraging tools like crawling reports, log files, and alerts from search consoles, SEO professionals can assist in maintaining website security.
Recognizing the significance of seemingly minor security issues
While we often associate security issues with major breaches or hacking incidents, many vulnerabilities can arise from seemingly minor issues. Examples include URLs susceptible to attacks, scripting within URL parameters, or incorrectly configured robots.txt files. SEO professionals should emphasize the importance of addressing and resolving these seemingly small security concerns to prevent potential risks and ensure a secure online presence.