For regulated organisations, discovering that their website hosting doesn’t meet compliance requirements often comes as a shock.
We witnessed this firsthand when reviewing security protocols for several organisations that prided themselves on rigorous internal standards.
The compliance wake-up call
It started with routine security assessments. These organisations had robust internal IT policies, strict data handling procedures, and regular compliance audits.
Yet their websites, the digital front door to their services, was hosted on standard public hosting platforms that wouldn’t pass even basic compliance checks.
The implications were serious. Their hosting environments lacked required security certifications.
Data sovereignty couldn’t be guaranteed. Security documentation was incomplete or missing entirely.
For organisations bound by strict regulatory requirements, these weren’t just technical oversights; they were compliance violations waiting to be discovered through audit failures.
When standard hosting creates compliance risks
Think about how organisations handle sensitive internal documents.
They use secure servers, maintain strict access controls, and document every interaction.
Yet many of these same organisations host their websites on shared platforms alongside hundreds of unknown entities, with limited security controls and no compliance documentation.
This disconnect creates real risks.
During security audits, organisations must demonstrate proper controls across all their digital assets. This includes their websites.
Standard hosting arrangements rarely provide the necessary evidence to meet these requirements.
Without proper documentation of security controls, incident response procedures, or system changes, organisations face failed audits and potential regulatory penalties.
The true cost of non-compliant website hosting
The impact of non-compliant website hosting extends beyond failed audits.
One organisation discovered its hosting arrangement violated its own data sovereignty requirements. A revelation that triggered an emergency review of all their digital services.
Another found their website backups weren’t encrypted to the standard their industry demanded, exposing them to significant risk.
These situations force organisations into reactive, often costly solutions:
- Emergency migrations.
- Rushed compliance documentation.
- Hurried security implementations.
All while maintaining normal operations and preserving public trust.
Building a compliant foundation
Rather trying to patch compliance gaps in standard hosting environments, we built hosting solutions designed for compliance from the ground up.
This meant partnering with providers who’s environments are aligned with our focus, and where security and compliance documentation isn’t an afterthought.
Coupled with our own internal ISO 27001 certified processes, our hosting plans are built on secure foundations with robust systems and processes to ensure the integrity of each website we support.
Our Enterprise-grade, compliant website hosting means:
- Regular security assessments became routine.
- Compliance monitoring became proactive rather than reactive.
Most importantly, these two organisations could demonstrate that their website hosting met the same high standards as their other digital assets.
The path to compliant website hosting
These two organisations now operate with confidence.
Their website hosting aligns with their broader compliance frameworks, supported by ISO 27001-certified processes and enterprise-grade infrastructure.
When auditors ask for evidence of security controls or incident response procedures, the documentation is ready.
When regulations change, their hosting evolves to match new requirements.
This transformation was more than just a technology change; it was about bringing website hosting under the same governance umbrella as other critical systems.
It meant treating websites as what they truly are: essential business assets that require proper compliance consideration.
Making the right choice
If you’re responsible for your organisation’s website, consider your current hosting arrangement.
- Can your provider demonstrate compliance with your industry’s requirements?
- Do they understand the regulatory landscape you operate in?
- Can they provide the documentation you need for your next audit?
At Kicking Pixels, we specialise in compliant website hosting for organisations where regulatory requirements are non-negotiable.
Our ISO 27001-certified processes ensure your website meets the same high standards as the rest of your operations.
Don’t wait for an audit to reveal gaps in your website hosting compliance.
Contact us today for a comprehensive assessment of your current environment.