Next month, your site could be marked as ‘Not secure’ by Google. One South Jersey firm has a fix

Starting next month, websites that aren’t using HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure) will get an embarrasing “Not Secure” badge tacked on by Google Chrome.

Much like that other deadline you’ve been hearing a bunch about, this change has been a long time coming. Google first sounded the alarm for non-compliant sites in 2016, when it rolled out the danger badge for all non-secure sites that collected critical data like credit cards or passwords. Next month, as Chrome 68 is released, the marking will expand to all websites.

“Chrome’s new interface will help users understand that all HTTP sites are not secure, and continue to move the web towards a secure HTTPS web by default,” Emily Schechter, Google Chrome Security Product Manager, wrote in a recent blog post. “HTTPS is easier and cheaper than ever before, and it unlocks both performance improvements and powerful new features that are too sensitive for HTTP.”

As the deadline looms, threatening to hit companies’ search engine rankings and visibility, a South Jersey-based online marketing and web development firm whipped up a packaged version of its HTTPS-migration service.

Orpical Group COO Stefan Schulz said the package — called GoGet Secure — is aimed at helping midsize businesses become aware of the significant change coming to the digital realm.

“This is an issue that is only getting attention from people within the marketing industry,” Schulz  said. “The general public is behind the eight ball on web security updates and the changes that are coming to the algorithm.”

The company will develop a proposal based on how many sites need to be secured and the type of certification websites need. Migrations cost businesses anywhere from $300 to several thousand dollars. On its website, the company boasts of “1000+ development hours” spend on migrations for its clients. Admittedly, the offering is also a marketing push from the company.

“This is also a foot in the door to educate businesses on the need for security and to prove our value as an agency,” Schulz said.

Orpical Group was founded in 2012 and has a team of five full-timers based out of Marlton, N.J., and assorted contractors and part-timers.