In today’s digital landscape, securing your CMS platform isn’t just recommended—it’s non-negotiable.

With cyber threats increasing in both frequency and sophistication, Kentico developers must adopt a security-first mindset throughout the development lifecycle. Whether you’re building custom modules or scaling enterprise content delivery, even a single vulnerability can have massive consequences.

Kentico, being a powerful and flexible NET-based content management system, provides a wide range of features to build secure, high-performance websites. But its security ultimately depends on how well it is configured, coded, and maintained.

Let’s explore some of the top security best practices every Kentico developer should follow to protect users, data, and applications.

Best Practices For Kentico Developers 

Here are some best practices you should be aware of: 

1. Start with Secure Architecture

Before writing a single line of code, your application architecture needs to be secure by design. Define how your data flows, determine your access points, and separate layers of your app using the principle of least privilege.

For example:

• Run the Kentico administration interface on a separate subdomain or server from the live site.
  
• Set up a Web Application Firewall (WAF) to guard against threats like SQL injections and XSS attacks.
  
• Limit API exposure and validate all external integrations.
  

If you’re working with a Kentico development company, ensure their developers prioritize security at the planning stage, not as an afterthought.

2. Keep Kentico and Dependencies Updated

Running outdated CMS versions is a major security red flag. Kentico regularly releases hotfixes, security patches, and version upgrades to address vulnerabilities. Failing to update leaves your site open to known exploits.

Make it a habit to:

• Apply Kentico hotfixes after thorough testing in a staging environment.
  
• Keep the .NET runtime and libraries current.
  
• Use a package manager like NuGet to monitor third-party package updates.
  

Routine updates are your first line of defense. Automating the monitoring process with DevOps tools or AWS development services can ensure consistent patching across environments.

3. Implement Proper Authentication & Authorization

Kentico supports Forms, Windows, and external authentication methods (like OAuth or SAML). Whichever you use, it’s critical to enforce secure login practices.

Best practices include:

• Enforce strong password policies (length, complexity, expiration).
  
• Implement Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) for admin roles.
  
• Use secure cookie flags (HttpOnly, Secure, SameSite).
  
• Regularly audit and revoke access for inactive users.
  

Never hardcode credentials or store plaintext passwords. Kentico’s built-in user management provides hashed password storage—always use it.

4. Protect Against XSS & CSRF

Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) and Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) are two of the most common vulnerabilities found in CMS platforms.

To defend against XSS:

• Sanitize all user inputs using Kentico’s HtmlHelper.SanitizeHtml() or ASP.NET encoding features.
  
• Avoid direct output of user-generated content in templates.
  

For CSRF:

• Use Kentico’s built-in anti-CSRF tokens in all web forms.
  
• Don’t allow sensitive actions via GET requests (e.g., delete or modify commands).
  

Make sure that developers are not disabling these protections for convenience—they’re there for a reason.

5. Secure Your Custom Code

Kentico is loved for its extensibility, but custom code is often where vulnerabilities sneak in.

Security tips for custom modules and macros:

• Avoid executing raw SQL queries. Always use Kentico’s DataQuery or parameterized queries.
  
• Validate and sanitize file uploads. Restrict file types and scan for malware.
  
• Hide sensitive configuration in web.config, not in the CMS UI or database.
  
• Monitor for open endpoints in custom REST APIs.
  

Use static code analysis tools to scan for vulnerabilities before deployment.

6. Configure SSL/TLS Correctly

Running a Kentico site without SSL in 2025? That’s a major misstep.

Enforce HTTPS site-wide:

• Redirect HTTP to HTTPS at the server level.
  
• Enable HSTS headers for additional protection.
  
• Disable outdated TLS versions and weak ciphers.
  

Don’t forget to update your Kentico settings, such as CMSBaseUrl and external service links, to reflect the HTTPS protocol.

7. Restrict Admin Panel Access

Kentico’s admin interface is a prime target for brute-force attacks. To secure it:

• Restrict access to specific IP addresses or VPN users.
  
• Rename the admin URL from /admin to something less predictable.
  
• Use firewalls and rate-limiting to block suspicious login attempts.
  

Additionally, consider deploying admin features in a separate backend environment isolated from the public-facing site.

8. Secure Media Libraries & File Uploads

Kentico’s media libraries allow users to upload files directly to the server. This convenience comes with risk.

To mitigate:

• Disable script execution in media folders.
  
• Set appropriate MIME type restrictions.
  
• Store sensitive files outside the web root and serve them through secure handlers.
  

You can also integrate virus scanning services or middleware to detect malicious uploads before they’re saved.

9. Log Everything (Securely)

Logs are critical for detecting and diagnosing breaches, but they must be handled with care.

Best practices:

• Use Kentico’s Event Log and Activity Tracking features.
  
• Never log sensitive data like passwords or tokens.
  
• Set up log retention policies and encrypt log files if needed.
  
• Send logs to secure third-party SIEM tools for threat monitoring.
  

Make sure logging levels are configured differently for development and production environments.

10. Regular Security Audits & Penetration Testing

Security isn’t a one-time checklist—it’s a continuous process.

Conduct regular audits of your Kentico configuration, server setup, and custom codebase. Partner with third-party security experts to perform penetration tests and validate your protections.

A few audit checkpoints:

• Role-based permission review
  
• Database access restrictions
  
• Vulnerability scanning on endpoints
  
• Authentication & session timeout settings
  

Even the most skilled developers miss things—outside audits bring a fresh perspective.

11. Leverage Kentico’s Security Features

Kentico offers several built-in tools to enhance security:

• IP Security Restrictions
  
• CAPTCHA for forms and login pages
  
• Brute-force attack protection
  
• Session timeout and password expiration policies
  

Don’t ignore these native features—they’re powerful, easy to enable, and specifically designed for the Kentico environment.

12. Educate Your Team

Security starts with awareness. Even the most secure code can be undone by poor practices or a lack of knowledge.

Train your developers and content editors on:

• Phishing attacks and social engineering
  
• Secure content authoring practices
  
• Password hygiene and 2FA
  
• Safe handling of user data and PII
  

Make security a shared responsibility—not just the developer’s job.

Final Thoughts

Kentico is a robust, enterprise-grade CMS, but it’s only as secure as the people building on it.

By applying these best practices, you not only reduce your risk exposure but also build trust with your users. And in a digital economy where data is gold, trust is everything.

Whether you’re a solo developer, part of an agency, or managing a large company, integrating a secure Kentico setup into your workflow is a must.

Strong security practices make your project future-ready and protect the business value you’ve worked so hard to build.