Security

Customers are always concerning their data security. But, how do you check out whether it is secured?

Basically, web applications have 3 areas that you should check whether your data are secured:

1. Security of data in transit  Can the data being transferred between the server and your computer be intercepted and read?
2. Security of data in storage Can a would-be hacker gain access to the servers on which your data is stored over the internet or another network?
3. Physical security of data Are the actual physical servers in a secure environment?

How do we address these concerns?

1. Security of data in transit

Data transmission between yourself and the server is not impossible to protect against a determined and knowledgeable individual to intercept data. However, it is possible to encrypt that data in such a way that it is unreadable to anyone or any machine apart from your computer and the server itself.

We use the same encryption techniques used by all major internet banking facilities and online e-commerce transactions. This means that the data being transferred is encrypted. This encrypting method is referred to as SSL (Secure Socket Layers) and is currently the industry standard for encrypting transactional information on the internet.

2. Security of data in storage

The servers that power Netiquette Software are highly secure and are protected by an advance firewall. The firewall and the servers are monitored 24 hours a day for any suspicious activity. So you can rest assured that even whilst you sleep your data is being actively protected. It would be easier to break in to your office to steal your accounting information than it would be to break in to our servers.

The only area of security for which we don't have control of is your own computer. It is important that you install a virus scanner and ensure that you keep it updated.

3. Physical Security of Data

We have chosen Singapore as the location of our servers. Singapore boasting one of the most stable internet connection in South-East Asia Region and many MNC have also chosen Singapore as their data center.

For further piece of mind, only authorized personnel are granted access to the data centre, no one else can enter the production area of the data center without prior clearance and an appropriate escort. All data centre employees also undergo multiple and thorough background security checks before they’re hired.

We also have a real-time backup at a data centre in the country. So if there is a serious problem at the main data centre we can be back up and running in minutes with zero data loss. We like to brag about it because it cost us tens of thousands to set up!

Which is Safer??

Is Data Safer on Your Computer Than on the Web?

There is a misconception that somehow data stored on your PC or Mac is more secure than data stored on an internet server. Actually, the reverse is true. Why? Let’s look at table below.

  PC/Laptop SaaS Solutions
Data Security Free copy of Zonealarm (software firewall) – probably not updated very often.
 Incredibly expensive hardware firewall with sophisticated intrusion prevention.

Most SaaS providers, ourselves included, have to be what is called PCI compliant and are scanned regularly by a third party to check for security weaknesses.
Security Monitoring No monitoring. Sometimes there might be a software product to alert you to attempted attacks – but this is of no use if you leave the computer on and connected to the internet whilst no one is using it. Monitored 24/7 by security specialists at data center
Risk from viruses and Trojan horse High risk. The computer is often in use and is used to visit websites and has other software installed Virtually non-existent. The computer is only used to serve the application
Backups of data Backups may be taken once a month if at all. And that’s only if you remember to do them (honestly, when did you last backup your data?) We have real time live synchronization to a remote location, so if London (where our main data center is) disappeared overnight, we’d be back up and running with zero data loss very quickly. We also take regular “snapshot” backups throughout the day.
Physical Security Your computer is often located under the desk or in the spare-room at home. Physical security is usually limited to a burglar alarm (which keeps going off accidentally so now gets ignored by all) SaaS companies use  secure data centers. Appointments are needed to visit hardware. Often biometric scans and photo identification are used to gain access
Risk of Fire Smoke alarm under the stairs (no battery) Sophisticated ‘dry’ fire suppression system, ensuring no damage to hardware