Security Benefits of JAMstack

Introduction

Website security is a top priority, especially for businesses handling customer data. Cyberattacks like DDoS and injection attacks can compromise your website’s reputation and user trust. This is where JAMstack stands out, offering a more secure alternative to traditional architectures like WordPress or PHP-based systems.

In this article, we’ll explain:

• Why traditional web architectures are prone to vulnerabilities.
• How JAMstack improves website security.
• Actionable steps to secure your JAMstack site.

---

Understanding the Security Risks of Traditional Web Architectures

Dynamic websites built with traditional CMS platforms rely on server-side processing. This means each request triggers database lookups, server scripts, and authentication processes.

Common Security Vulnerabilities:

• SQL Injection: Attackers inject malicious SQL queries to access databases.
• Cross-Site Scripting (XSS): Hackers inject scripts that run on user browsers.
• DDoS Attacks: Overwhelm your server with traffic, making your site inaccessible.

Example: A WordPress site with outdated plugins is a common entry point for hackers, leading to data breaches or defacement.

---

Why JAMstack is More Secure

1. No Direct Database Connections

JAMstack sites are pre-rendered and don’t require live database connections during user visits. Without a database, hackers can’t perform SQL injections.

Example: Instead of querying a database on each page load, your content is served as static HTML files.

2. Reduced Attack Surface

By decoupling the backend from the frontend, JAMstack minimizes the areas hackers can target. Your static files are served through CDNs, meaning there’s no open entry point for direct attacks.

Real-life Benefit: If your JAMstack site is hosted on a CDN like Netlify or Vercel, it’s resilient against DDoS attacks since the content is distributed across multiple servers.

3. Serverless APIs

JAMstack relies on serverless functions for dynamic features. These APIs run in isolated environments and only when triggered, which limits prolonged exposure.

Example: Instead of a WordPress PHP script running on your server 24/7, a JAMstack form submission triggers a serverless function (e.g., via AWS Lambda) only when needed.

4. No Authentication Vulnerabilities by Default

Traditional sites often include default login pages (e.g., /wp-admin), making them prone to brute-force attacks. JAMstack sites don’t have login pages unless intentionally built.

---

Best Practices to Further Secure Your JAMstack Site

1. Use HTTPS Everywhere

Always serve your site over HTTPS to encrypt data in transit.

Tip: Services like Let’s Encrypt make it easy to get free SSL certificates.

2. Secure API Endpoints

Only expose the endpoints you need and implement proper authentication and rate limiting.

Example: Use JSON Web Tokens (JWT) for secure API communication.

3. Regularly Audit Dependencies

While JAMstack reduces vulnerabilities, third-party libraries and APIs can introduce risks.

Tip: Use tools like npm audit or Snyk to check for known vulnerabilities.

4. Enable CDN Security Features

Most CDNs offer additional security features like DDoS protection, firewall rules, and bot mitigation.

Example: Configure Cloudflare’s Web Application Firewall (WAF) to filter suspicious traffic.

---

Additional Tools for Monitoring Security

• Netlify Analytics: Helps detect unusual traffic spikes that may indicate an attack.
• OWASP ZAP: A free tool for scanning your site for common vulnerabilities.
• Sentry: Monitors for real-time error detection and alerts for security issues.

---

Conclusion

JAMstack’s static architecture, serverless APIs, and reliance on CDNs make it a robust choice for building secure websites. By implementing best practices like securing API endpoints and using HTTPS, you can further enhance your site’s security and protect your users.

---

Next Steps

Ready to build a more secure website? Shuffle SEO can help you transition to JAMstack and implement security best practices tailored to your needs. Contact us today for a free consultation and see how JAMstack can provide peace of mind.