5 Steps to Better Data Security

Steps to
Better Data Security
Proactive action you can take now to improve IT safety
Government agencies and departments-like companies in the private sector-are facing 5a sophisticated new class of security threats. But governmental bodies face consequences
that private companies do not. With everything from national security to regulatory
compliance to the confidence of the citizenry at stake, the need for ironclad data security
is great. Meanwhile, it is equally important to cut costs, maintain service levels and comply
with IT architectural standards. These are challenging times indeed for Federal agencies
and other organizations.
The good news is there are a number of things you can other types of transfers, FTP may be a good fit. If you have do right now to be more proactive and reduce risk to a one-time transfer that is not backed by a service-level your data and information. Take these five steps now agreement (SLA), and you don't need an audit trail for to shore up the security of your data and information regulatory compliance purposes, then FTP may make sense.management systems: 2.1. Monitor your servers in real time. Where transfer Put FTP in its place. Increasingly, governmental bodies performance and security are paramount, you should use a are recognizing that FTP is not secure enough for their file software solution that allows central management of servers transfer needs. Even when the so-called "secure FTP" is in real time. That will let you track performance to SLAs and used, unacceptable vulnerabilities remain, putting your maintain an audit trail for compliance while also providing organization at risk, at least for critical transfers. But for constant vigilance against outside attacks.
©2008, Sterling Commerce, Inc. All rights reserved. Sterling Commerce and the Sterling Commerce logo are trademarks of Sterling Commerce, Inc. or its affiliated companies. All products referenced are the service marks, trademarks, or registered marks of their respective owners.3.Make sure your security architecture is sound. Some to pick a security solution that meets today's standards but security solutions are architected to store customer or one that will also continue to grow with the ever-evolving user data (including financial information and user name/ requirements. password) in the demilitarized zone. This architecture increases risk as the customer data is vulnerable to attack in Everyone knows there is no silver bullet for security. Like the DMZ. A more secure architecture is where no customer other organizations, government agencies have to contend or user data is ever stored in the DMZ but rather resides in with increasingly complex and potentially damaging the secure zone. security threats. By taking the five steps above, you can feel confident that you are being proactive and preparing 4. your organization for the future. With Sterling Commerce Go with a proven solution. For critical transmissions, Managed File Transfer (MFT) solutions, you can replace use a data transmission protocol that has never been anxiety with the peace of mind you get knowing you have compromised. That is the only way to eliminate the chosen the industry standard for business file transfer. possibility of an external attack. If your transfer contains Sterling Commerce solutions give you the proven reliability, highly sensitive information (such as financial or personal scalability, and visibility you need to simplify the most data), it is often guaranteed by an SLA. This SLA guarantees complex business processes.a tight time window for delivery, and a proven proprietary protocol will provide the highest possible level of security. About Sterling Commerce ®Sterling Commerce helps 80% of the FORTUNE 500 5. thrive in a global economy. We provide innovative Pick your security solution with an eye toward solutions to process integration challenges between compliance-today and tomorrow. The regulatory scene companies and their customers, partners, and suppliers is constantly changing, making compliance a moving target. to help them achieve higher levels of performance-and In the last 18 months, agencies have had to contend with business without borders. With over 30,000 customers new developments as diverse as Internet Protocol version worldwide, we have unparalleled experience in the public 6 (IPv6) and the Federal... [download for more]