Security update: Your website is being protected

On 21 October, critical security vulnerabilities affecting PHP, the technology behind WordPress and many other websites, required urgent action across the hosting industry.

Castlegate IT worked closely with our hosting providers to prepare for the necessary security updates. Importantly, our hosting partners and Cloudflare implemented additional firewall protections before the security patches were released, helping to protect websites against attempts to exploit these vulnerabilities.

The necessary patches have now been applied across our main managed hosting environments. A small number of legacy environments remain protected by additional firewall measures while their updates are completed.

No action is required from our clients. We continue to monitor the situation and manage the necessary security measures on their behalf.

Category: WordPress

The age of AI search

Preparing websites for AI search: a practical guide for modern organisations

At a glance AI search is changing how websites are discovered, with AI systems increasingly finding, interpreting and recommending information. Strong SEO foundations still matter, but content also needs to work well for AI systems. Clear structure helps AI understand …

by Jim Semlyen 10 Jul 2026
Is your website ready for AI search

Is your website ready for AI search?

At a glance AI is changing how people find information, with tools such as ChatGPT and Google’s AI features increasingly answering questions directly. SEO still matters, but it’s no longer the whole picture. Websites also need to be understandable to …

by Jim Semlyen 9 Jul 2026

Cookie compliance and consent management

At a glance A cookie banner alone does not make a website compliant. The technologies behind it must respect the visitor’s choices. Non-essential cookies and similar tracking technologies generally require consent before they operate, particularly analytics, advertising and conversion tracking. …

by Jim Semlyen 8 Jun 2026
Websites for industry, retail, and public sector blog article

Websites for industry, retail and public sector organisations

Organisations working in industry, retail, and the public sector often manage large, technical, or highly variable datasets, whether that’s machinery specifications, product catalogues, or live operational information. Turning that complexity into something customers, partners, or members of the public can …

by Sunny Simmons 4 May 2026
Professional training blog article

Supporting professional training providers with purpose-built websites

Organisations that deliver training and professional development face a particular design challenge: their websites need to make technical, often accreditation-heavy information easy to follow for people at very different stages, from someone considering a course for the first time to …

by Sunny Simmons 2 Apr 2026
Websites for charities and community organisations

Websites that support charities and community organisations

Charities and community organisations often serve several audiences at once: the people who need their support, the people who fund or donate to their work, and the wider public they are trying to reach. Getting this balance right requires more …

by Sunny Simmons 15 Mar 2026
University of York blog article

Building websites for University of York-affiliated organisations

The University of York is home to a wide range of research groups, consultancies, and specialist projects. Many need to communicate highly specialised information to audiences with very different levels of knowledge, requiring websites that support academic rigour while remaining …

by Sunny Simmons 11 Feb 2026
Craft and design blog article

Showcasing craft and design online: websites for property and trade specialists

For businesses built on craftsmanship, materials, or physical spaces, a website often forms a prospective client’s first impression of the quality of the work itself. Photography, layout, and navigation all play an important role in helping visitors understand what sets …

by Sunny Simmons 30 Jan 2026
2025 year in review graphic

2025 in review: An exceptional year for Castlegate

As we enter the New Year, it’s time to reflect on the projects, progress, and partnerships that defined 2025 at Castlegate. First, a practical update: In October, after ten years on Walmgate, we moved into the Bonding Warehouse in Patch …

by Jim Semlyen 11 Jan 2026
QCH header and featured image

Multi-language websites

In the UK, making your website available in more than one language can make a real difference. For public bodies and local authorities, it can be a legal or moral responsibility to serve diverse communities. For charities and businesses, it’s …

by Sunny Simmons 17 Oct 2025