Cloudways Security Review 2024: Is Your Site Safe on Cloudways?

If you’re running a website on managed cloud hosting, security is likely your top priority. You’ve heard great things about Cloudways’ speed and flexibility, but is Cloudways security robust enough to protect your data and visitors?

This in-depth Cloudways security review breaks down every built-in feature, highlights key pros and cons, and helps you decide if it’s the right secure hosting choice for your site.

Why Cloudways Security Matters for Your Website

Managed cloud hosting shifts most server maintenance and security responsibilities to the provider, but not all hosts deliver the same level of protection. Cloudways operates on top of leading cloud infrastructure providers (AWS, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Linode, Vultr), but adds its own managed security layer on top.

For site owners without dedicated IT teams, understanding this security stack is critical to avoiding data breaches, downtime, and lost trust.

Core Cloudways Security Features

Built-In Firewall and DDoS Protection

Cloudways deploys a custom web application firewall (WAF) that blocks malicious traffic, SQL injection attempts, and cross-site scripting (XSS) attacks before they reach your server.

It also integrates directly with Cloudflare, offering enterprise-grade DDoS mitigation and global CDN services at no extra cost. You don’t need to install third-party firewall plugins to get baseline protection.

Automated Backups and One-Click Restore

Every Cloudways plan includes automated daily backups, with higher-tier plans offering hourly backup options. You can choose to store backups on your server or offload them to external storage like AWS S3 or DigitalOcean Spaces for added redundancy.

If your site is hacked or breaks after an update, you can restore a backup with one click directly from the Cloudways dashboard, minimizing downtime.

Free Auto-Renewing SSL Certificates

All sites hosted on Cloudways get free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates, which are installed and auto-renewed with one click. There’s no manual configuration required, and HTTPS is enabled by default for all new sites.

SSL is a Google ranking factor and builds visitor trust, so this built-in feature saves you time and money.

Server-Level Security Hardening

Cloudways hardens all servers by default: unused ports are disabled, operating systems are updated regularly, and SSH access is restricted to whitelisted IPs. Each site runs on its own isolated server environment, eliminating cross-site contamination risks common with shared hosting.

You can also enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for your Cloudways platform account, adding an extra layer of protection against unauthorized login attempts.

Access Control and IP Whitelisting

Cloudways lets you whitelist specific IP addresses for SSH, database, and platform access, so only authorized team members can make changes. Role-based access controls let you limit permissions for freelancers or contractors, reducing accidental or malicious changes.

For developers, SSH key management is supported, so you don’t have to share passwords for server access.

Application-Level Security Support

While Cloudways handles server-level security, it supports easy integration with popular application security tools. For WordPress users, you can install malware scanners like Wordfence or Sucuri directly on your site.

Cloudways also offers one-click staging environments, so you can test plugin updates, theme changes, and security patches before pushing them to your live site, reducing the risk of broken or vulnerable code.

Cloudways Security: Pros and Cons

Pros

• Fully managed server security with no manual hardening required
• Flexible automated backup options with offsite storage support
• Free auto-renewing SSL certificates for all sites
• Cloudflare integration for DDoS protection and CDN out of the box
• Isolated server environments eliminate shared hosting risks
• 2FA and role-based access controls for team security

Cons

• No built-in malware scanning (requires third-party plugins)
• Backup retention limited to 7 days on entry-level plans
• No free email hosting, so separate email security measures are needed
• Advanced server tweaks require basic technical knowledge

How Cloudways Security Compares to Competitors

Compared to shared hosting providers like Bluehost or GoDaddy, Cloudways offers far superior security: isolated servers, custom firewalls, and no resource sharing with other users. It’s on par with other managed cloud hosts like Kinsta, but offers more flexible infrastructure choices and lower entry pricing.

The only major gap is built-in malware scanning, which competitors like SiteGround include for free. However, Cloudways’ lower starting price lets you budget for a third-party malware tool if needed.

Is Cloudways Secure Enough for Your Site?

For most users, Cloudways security is more than sufficient:

• Small blogs and portfolios: All core security features are included, no extra tools needed.
• E-commerce stores: Cloudways servers are PCI-DSS ready, and Cloudflare integration protects against traffic spikes and attacks. Add a malware scanner to meet full PCI compliance.
• Enterprise sites: Custom firewall rules, IP whitelisting, and SSO integration options make it suitable for high-traffic, sensitive sites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Cloudways offer free SSL certificates?

Yes, all Cloudways sites get free Let’s Encrypt SSL certificates that are auto-installed and renewed with one click.

Are Cloudways backups automatic?

Yes, daily automated backups are included on all plans, with hourly options available on higher-tier plans.

Does Cloudways protect against DDoS attacks?

Yes, Cloudways integrates with Cloudflare to provide enterprise-grade DDoS mitigation for all sites.

Is Cloudways PCI compliant?

Cloudways’ underlying infrastructure is PCI-DSS compliant, but you must configure your site and follow PCI guidelines to achieve full compliance for e-commerce.

Conclusion

Cloudways delivers a robust, managed security stack that covers most threats facing modern websites. Its combination of server hardening, DDoS protection, automated backups, and free SSL makes it a secure choice for beginners and experienced site owners alike.

While it lacks built-in malware scanning, the lower cost compared to competitors lets you easily add that feature separately. For most users, Cloudways security is more than enough to keep their site safe.

Ready to try Cloudways? Sign up today and get 3 days free, no credit card required.

Internal linking suggestions: Link to our Cloudways Pricing Guide and How to Migrate Your Site to Cloudways tutorials.

External authority reference: Cloudflare’s official DDoS protection documentation covers the mitigation technology used by Cloudways.