Intranet Security Best Practices A guide for banks and credit unions
Intranets hold sensitive information - from HR files and procedures to internal audits and IT operations. For financial institutions, protecting that content isn't optional. Here's a practical list of intranet security best practices to help you stay compliant and confident.
1. Use HTTPS on All Intranet Pages
Your intranet should never serve pages over HTTP. Use TLS (formerly SSL) to encrypt all traffic, even internally. Learn about internal HTTPS options - from self-signed to wildcard and public certs.
2. Apply Role-Based Access Control
Access to content should reflect real-world roles. Employees should only see documents and pages they're cleared for. Use group-based or department-based controls, and review them regularly.
3. Require Authentication (Ideally SSO)
Every user should log in - ideally through Single Sign-On (SSO) using Active Directory, Azure AD, or a trusted provider. Never leave internal tools open without authentication.
4. Maintain Audit Trails
Whether it's a policy change, form submission, or document download - you need an audit trail of activity. This is especially critical for examiners and compliance officers.
5. Lock Down Hosting and Access Points
If you're hosting on-prem, restrict access by IP, segment network zones, and monitor access attempts. In cloud deployments, use VPNs or private cloud environments that don't expose the intranet publicly.
6. Avoid Public Indexing
Double-check that your intranet isn't crawlable by search engines. Use proper robots.txt, `noindex` headers, and firewall rules. Public-facing intranets are a security risk and a compliance red flag.
7. Choose Intranet Software with Built-In Security
Security shouldn't be bolted on - it should be built in. See how SimplifyIT handles security across hosting, access, compliance, and encryption.
Need Help?
We work with banks and credit unions every day to ensure intranet security isn't just a checkbox - it's a strength. Request a demo or contact us to talk through options that fit your institution.