When choosing your hosting solution, it is important to ensure that end-to-end security is appropriately configured and managed. For example, many cloud hosting services handle load-balancing and firewall containments, real-time application query filtering, and 24x7 monitoring. Application servers should be configured with malware and anti-virus protections, patched and hardened against known flaws and vulnerabilities, and subject to periodic third-party assessments including penetration testing.