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Checklist for CMS setup and maintenance

From first installation to ongoing safe operation

§At installation

  • 01Is the core system installed in the latest supported version?
  • 02Have standard passwords and example accounts been removed or changed?
  • 03Are only the plugins/modules installed that the solution really needs?
  • 04Has a working backup been made before making changes to production?

§Themes and plugins

  • 01Does the theme/plugin come from a source with evidence of maintenance and updates?
  • 02Has it been tested in a test environment before going live?
  • 03Have unnecessary or unused themes and plugins been removed, not just disabled?
  • 04Is it clear what permissions each plugin actually requests?

§Users and rights

  • 01Does each user only have the rights their role requires (least privilege)?
  • 02Have inactive accounts been cleaned up and access removed?
  • 03Are access routes clear and is there slippery going to fight?

§PLACEHOLDER_3

  • 01Is there a fixed routine for updating core systems, themes, and plugins?
  • 02Are regular, tested backups taken — and are they stored somewhere other than the server itself?
  • 03Is the site monitored for downtime and abnormal behaviour?
  • 04Is there a plan for who responds if a security update is urgent?