Document Solutions and the Evolving Nature of Data Theft
As what was once the future slowly turns into the present, we can expect technology to become more and more advanced. As a general rule, the advancement of technology is not partial to any particular area; therefore, we can readily assume that advancement in the field of data theft will mimic the advancement of data security. This simply means that each sector of technology in regard to data security is trying to stay one step ahead of the other. Identity thieves will be inventing new ways to steal important information or identities while programmers looking to thwart these thieves will invent better ways of preventing or protecting valuable data.
Some ways that identity thieves are using the Internet to steal valuable information have already been uncovered by industry experts. This has allowed document management systems and document solutions offered by various companies to adapt to the ever-present threat of identity and data theft. If your company is currently operating in a high-threat industry such as the medical or legal field, maybe it’s time that you looked into document solutions for your business designed to protect your data.
Enterprise Data Security – A Case Study
Abstract
This article is a case study about an Enterprise Data Security project including the strategy that addresses key areas of focus for database security encompassing all major RDBMS platforms. It presents the current state of database security tools and processes, the current needs of a typical enterprise, and a plan forevolving the data security. This strategy will help set direction for the blueprint of data security and provide a composite high level view of data security policies and procedures for the purpose of satisfying growing regulatory and compliance requirements and develop high level timeline and for all steps of development. This article presents a three steps strategy to address current outstanding audit concerns and positioning to more readily address the evolving regulatory landscape.
1 Overview
As security, regulatory, and compliance pressures continue to be a key driver for XYZ Company, the technical environment supporting our business will need to be continually reviewed and enhanced to ensure all requirements are met. The database environment is extremely sensitive based on the fact that a large percentage of data at XYZ Company resides in our RDBMS platforms. These environments have been audited and scrutinized on a regular basis and will continue to be as we move forward. Although the database environments at XYZ Company are protected by tightened perimeter security measures, advanced authentication, authorization and access control security measures, and are considered to be a secure environment which effectively protect XYZ Company data from external intrusions, we must continue to look for opportunities to increase the overall security and compliance of these environment based on evolving needs, as well as, new technologies that can enhance the environment. Through compliance activities such as internal audits, SOX, GLBA, PCI, and others, other opportunities have been identified to better secure this environment.
Security Whitepaper: Google Apps Messaging and Collaboration Products
Introduction
The security of online services is a topic of increasing interest to enterprises as the number of third party hosted service o!erings has expanded in recent years. The emergence of various “cloud computing” concepts and definitions has highlighted not only questions about data ownership and protection, but also how various vendors of cloud computing technologies build and implement their services. Security experts, end-users and enterprises alike are all considering the security implications of the cloud computing model.
Google Apps (comprising Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, and other web applications) provide familiar, easy to use products and services for business settings. These services, characterized by redundant computing environments and dynamic resource allocation, enable customers to access their data virtually anytime and anywhere from Internet-capable devices. This computing environment — often called the “cloud” — allows CPU, memory and storage resources to be shared and utilized by many customers while also offering security benefits.
Google provides cloud services reliably due to its experience with operating its own business, as well as its core services like Google Search, in a similar manner. The security controls that isolate data during processing in the cloud were developed alongside the core technology from the beginning. Security is thus a key component of each of our cloud computing elements, such as compartmentalization, server assignment, data storage, and processing.
Security Whitepaper: Google Apps Messaging and Collaboration Products
Security Whitepaper
Google Apps Messaging and Collaboration Products Introduction The security of online services is a topic of increasing interest to enterprises as the number of third party hosted service o!erings has expanded in recent years. The emergence of various “cloud computing” concepts and definitions has highlighted not only questions about data ownership and protection, but also how various vendors of cloud computing technologies build and implement their services. Security experts, end-users and enterprises alike are all considering the security implications of the cloud computing model.
Google Apps (comprising Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Docs, and other web applications) provide familiar, easy to use products and services for business settings. These services, characterized by redundant computing environments and dynamic resource allocation, enable customers to access their data virtually anytime and anywhere from Internet-capable devices. This computing environment — often called the “cloud” — allows CPU, memory and storage resources to be shared and utilized by many customers while also offering security benefits.
Google provides cloud services reliably due to its experience with operating its own business, as well as its core services like Google Search, in a similar manner. The security controls that isolate data during processing in the cloud were developed alongside the core technology from the beginning. Security is thus a key component of each of our cloud computing elements, such as compartmentalization, server assignment, data storage, and processing.
This paper will explain the ways Google creates a security-based platform for o!ering its Google Apps products, covering topics like information security, physical security and operational security. This exploration will demonstrate how security is an integral component of Google’s cloud computing system, as well as a core element of Google’s design and development processes. The policies described in this paper are detailed as of the time of authorship. Some of the specifics may change over time as we regularly innovate with new features and products within Google Apps.
How to Evaluate the Data Security Capabilities of Cloud-Based Services
Executive Summary
One of the critical issues in evaluating cloud- based services is data security. Cloud-based services today can be compared to Internet banking. Consumers were initially afraid that online banking would make them more vulnerable to fraud or identity theft. Now that online security technologies have improved, online banking is actually safer than getting paper statements in the mail.
Likewise, using a cloud-based service supplier instead of operating your own internal system can be a major step toward becoming liberated from serious security issues. However, you must choose your provider wisely. Suppliers must demonstrate that they have the optimal technologies, infrastructures and processes in place to ensure data security. And each healthcare facility needs to require evidence that patient data is protected at all levels and stages of the workflow – from duplicate disaster recovery copies and physical protection of the data center to data transmission, storage, and user access.
It’s important to understand the four key components of data security: availability, integrity, confidentiality, and traceability. Data availability ensures continuous access to data even in the event of a natural or man-made disaster or events such as fires or power outages. Data integrity ensures that the data is maintained in its original state and has not been intentionally or accidentally altered. Data confidentiality means information is available or disclosed only to authorized individuals, entities, or IT processes. And data traceability means that the data, transactions, communications, or documents are genuine and that both parties involved are who they claim to be.
All components of data security must be maintained at the following three levels:
- The physical infrastructure of the data center;
- The hosted application that manages data; and
- The policies and procedures to maintain continuous security in the cloud.
Fortune 50 Bank Division Implements Deduplication Technology for Storage Optimization Across Their IT Infrastructure
IDC OPINION
In today's already constrained datacenters, deduplication technology yields storage footprint and cost savings. IT executives are reporting significant reductions in storage costs from several perspectives including capacity, physical footprint, power, and cooling. Additionally, deduplication is an extremely relevant and timely technology as datacenter consolidation and virtualization often result in the rearchitecture of traditional backup processes. In particular, virtualization drives changes across the IT infrastructure encompassing server, network, storage, and data protection initiatives. As firms look to replace tape with disk-based approaches to data protection, the economic advantages of data deduplication cannot be overlooked.
The leading supplier of data deduplication technology from a real-world
implementation and market penetration perspective is Data Domain. Although it is difficult to define a typical installation (because Data Domain has installations across many industries and within many types of application workloads and capacities), the customer represented in this case study in many ways has characteristics that make it "ripe" for data deduplication. These include a technology refresh for backup hardware, a requirement to improve backup windows, a move to disk-based backup and archive, and initiatives to virtualize the environment.
IN THIS BUYER CASE STUDY
This IDC Buyer Case Study describes the implementation of Data Domain's
deduplication storage systems at a division of a Fortune 50 financial services firm. In 2007, this firm evaluated deduplication technology from several vendors in an effort to optimize storage infrastructure and reduce backup disk capacity while also improving backup processes and data protection/recovery. The bank selected Data Domain to do its superior dedup ratio (in proof of concept [POC] testing and also once deployed)
and starting in March 2008 did a several month "phase-in" implementation of these storage systems across 13 datacenters (both primary and disaster recovery sites).
Egnyte Security Architecture White Paper
Introduction
Security, it’s the number one concern of businesses when adopting new technologies involving company data. As businesses move their data digitally, they are faced with increasing risks and costs from data intrusions. With the absence of a company-sponsored file sharing platforms, more employees are seeking unsafe consumer solutions, which can lead to data breaches. To regain control of company data, businesses need a file sharing platform with comprehensive end-to-end data protection. Egnyte offers a unique hybrid cloud solution with enterpriseclass security and privacy; providing businesses with secure file sharing, access, storage and backup.
Egnyte is focused on complete end-to-end data protection through the five stages of security: Physical, Network, Transmission, Access, and Data. In addition to providing maximum security under each category, Egnyte continually maintains state-of-the-art technology and performs ongoing threat management.
Physical Security
Data Center
End-to-end security starts with the ability to physically protect the servers where data resides. Egnyte provides this first line of defense by housing file servers in industry-leading Tier II, SSAE 16 compliant colocation facilities that feature 24-hour manned security, biometric access control, and video surveillance. All servers reside in private cages that require physical keys to open. All data centers hosting these servers are audited annually for potential risks and limitations.
Egnyte Security Architecture White Paper
Download Full Whitepaper: Egnyte Security Architecture White Paper
A Primer on Electronic Document Security: How Document Control and Digital Signatures Protect Electronic Documents
Purpose
This white paper is intended to provide the reader with a brief overview of relevant document security issues and technologies, as well as to introduce the Adobe suite of document security solutions. The white paper also summarizes Adobe implementations for document control and digital signatures.
Executive Summary
As organizations move more business processes online, protecting the confidentiality and privacy of information used during these processes, as well as providing authenticity and integrity, are essential. Because many automated processes rely on electronic documents that contain sensitive information, organizations must properly protect these documents. Many information security solutions attempt to protect electronic documents only at their storage location or during transmission. However, these solutions do not provide protection for the entire lifecycle of an electronic document. When the document reaches the recipient, the protection is lost, and the document can be intentionally or unintentionally forwarded to and viewed by unauthorized recipients.
A significantly more effective solution is to protect a document by assigning security parameters that travel with it. Six criteria must be met in order to provide more effective protection for an electronic document throughout its lifecycle:
1 Confidentiality
2 Authorization
3 Accountability
4 Integrity
5 Authenticity
6 Non-repudiation
The two major security techniques used to establish these six document security criteria are document control and digital signatures.
Improve the Security of Your Data!
There is a security threat lurking in your business right now and you may not even be aware of it. Your office copiers 
and multifunction printing devices have the ability to scan and store documents so they can be retrieved down the road without need for the original document. While this is a very convenient feature for most, if left unchecked when the equipment leaves your office, it can quickly become a serious security risk.
When you sell your office copiers or return them to the manufacturer after your lease is up, oftentimes the hard drives in the units will remain untouched. This means that down the road, someone with the correct toolset could decode your data. It is imperative that you take the steps to secure your data before it is too late!