Technical standards

Overview

Technical web standards are intended to:

• Improve performance: Following best practices helps ensure that websites load quickly, which is crucial for user satisfaction and search engine rankings. Standardized code results in faster performance and better efficiency.

• Support interoperability and future proofing: Websites should function consistently across different browsers, devices, and operating systems. A website that looks and behaves the same regardless of the user's browser or device leads to a better user experience. Standardization also helps ensure that websites can evolve and remain compatible with future technologies. As new browsers and devices are released, websites built with standards are more likely to remain functional, whereas those built without standards may break or become obsolete.

• Adhere to security and privacy standards: Web standards include best practices for securing websites and protecting user data. For example, the use of secure connections (HTTPS) is part of modern web standards, helping to safeguard against cyber threats like man-in-the-middle attacks.  Privacy is a critical requirement for Penn Medicine, including HIPAA compliance.

• Focus on maintainability: By adhering to standards, developers create more structured and organized code, making it easier to maintain and update websites over time. This can reduce the risk of bugs and improve the long-term sustainability of a site.