Conducted security audit and remediation for VPS hosting 4 production websites. Fixed critical database exposure, hardened SSH encryption, secured WordPress installations and implemented enterprise security headers. Achieved full PCI DSS compliance with zero downtime.

Tech Stack - AlmaOS, cPanel/WHM, WordPress 6.8.3, MySQL, nginx, PHP-FPM, Let's Encrypt SSL Scope- 245 vulnerabilities remediated across HTTP/HTTPS services, SSH, MySQL, and web applications

✅ Eliminated 1 HIGH severity database exposure (automatic failure) ✅ Hardened SSH to remove weak encryption algorithms (2 MEDIUM failures) ✅ Secured 32 WordPress vulnerabilities including path disclosure and exposed config files ✅ Configured 8 critical security headers across all domains ✅ Achieved 100% PCI DSS SAQ A-EP compliance ✅ Zero downtime during implementation ✅ Delivered passing rescan within 48-hour SLA ✅ Established quarterly maintenance plan for ongoing compliance

Client was failing quarterly PCI scans with 245 vulnerabilities across 4 production websites hosted on single VPS. Payment processing was at risk of being suspended by PayPal. Previous provider had attempted fixes but caused 2-week WHMCS downtime. Required rapid, safe remediation with zero business disruption.

Implemented systematic security hardening approach-

Created full system backups before any changes

Prioritized automatic-fail vulnerabilities (database, SSH)

Hardened cPanel services across 6 exposed ports

Secured WordPress installations without breaking WHMCS billing

Implemented monitoring to prevent compliance drift

Verified with rescan achieving PASSED status

BEFORE- FAILED - 245 vulnerabilities, payment processing at risk AFTER- PASSED - 100% compliant, valid until February 2026

Maintained PayPal/Venmo payment processing capability

Protected customer payment data and business reputation

Established predictable quarterly compliance process

Reduced security risk from HIGH to MINIMAL

Enabled business continuity with zero revenue interruption

#PCICompliance #ServerSecurity #WordPress #cPanel #SecurityAuditing #VulnerabilityRemediation #LinuxAdministration #WebHosting #PenetrationTesting #ComplianceManagement #AlmaOS #MySQL #nginx #SSHHardening #PaymentSecurity