03-27-20 | Blog Post
The speed of change and adaptation in today’s IT arena is highly exacerbated by the buildout of hybrid and multi-cloud networks. The adoption of SaaS as a supplemental or even primary source of application and information management adds even more layers of complexity and security concerns. With the rapid implementation of these advanced networking environments, new tools and automation can provide assurances that the appropriate levels of security and compliance are resident end to end. Here are a few typical examples of network evolution and the associated security and compliance concerns.
With the proliferation of payment and personal information hacks in all segments of business, increased focus on the apparatus, systems and processes relevant to delivering PCS DSS compliance is more critical than ever before. With the emergence of IoT, virtualization and new cloud-based transaction services, the latest security products and automated enhancements should be considered to provide improved visibility, deliver automation that reduces complexity and error rates, and meets all compliance regulations. The business must be aware that PCI DSS not only regulates storage of cardholder data, but also stipulates protection during transport, back-up and disaster recovery of the data. What additional layers of security, automation, and visibility can be added to assist in the delivery of PCI DSS compliance? Can we lower costs while enhancing compliance?
Now, in consideration of Health Insurance Portability and Accessibility (HIPAA) compliance, many medical, healthcare and research organizations are rapidly moving to the specialized services and capabilities of Healthcare cloud computing. With the increasing adoption of IoT in the medical community and new, cloud-based capabilities like Big Data Analytics as a Service (AaaS) becoming part of the healthcare platform, assuring security and HIPAA compliance for data transport “to the cloud” and data location and storage “in the cloud” is paramount. Previously, medical and patient data was accessed, transported, and even shared primarily across private MPLS based connectivity. While MPLS transport meets security requirements, it lacks flexibility of capacity and can be cost prohibitive. What additional layers of security, automation, and visibility can be added to assist in the delivery of HIPAA compliance? Can we lower costs while enhancing compliance?
For both of the examples above, PCI DSS and HIPAA compliance, SD-WAN is a tool, in combination with Managed Cloud Back-up and Disaster Recovery as a Service (DRaaS) that should be considered to improve existing security, transport reliability, survivability and application visibility. Importantly, these technologies can also reduce security breaches through automation of human controls and even deliver reduced costs.
Today’s typical WAN/LAN networking infrastructures are not efficient in their handling of dynamic requirements between work centers and can be very challenging to deliver efficient, secure multi-cloud and hybrid cloud environments. SD-WAN delivers enhanced application visibility, automates network-wide policy for routing and segmentation of public or private cloud workflows, provides priority paths for compliance regulated data, offloads non-critical data (e.g. web browsing, email) to lower cost paths and service link monitors to improve network and application performance.
End to end encryption (typically IPSec) Integrated Firewalls and VPNs are typical SD-WAN options that both enhance security and help achieve compliance for the communications path. The dynamic nature of a typical healthcare/HIPAA compliant organization, or a PCI DSS compliant business, will also benefit from features like zero-touch provisioning, automated distribution of security and routing policy, as well as immediate improvements in application and transport visibility. Regardless of size or location – home, mobile, corporate or field, CPE or SaaS-based SD-WAN can add new levels of compliance assurance and provide added confidence regarding security in the never-ending move to the cloud.
Adding SD-WAN, Managed Cloud Backup and Disaster Recovery as a Service to your existing network can reduce error rates by raising the level of automation for policy, configuration and security. Automating data backup and Disaster Recovery reduces network and IT burdens and is a significant factor for both achieving compliance and providing for expedited data forensics should it be required.
If you’re looking for the expertise and services to automate and enhance your Data Backup and Disaster Recovery capabilities, or to improve your compliant private or hybrid cloud solutions, Otava can help. Consider our secure, compliant cloud solutions managed by a team of experts trained in the latest security best practices. Call 877-740-5028 or contact us to learn more.
Disaster recovery and business continuity in the remote workforce environment: In the decades-long evolution of the remote worker, policy, data protection, security and compliance all kept pace with the rollout of users and applications. Today, there is a new and onerous dimension added to this evolution: The mass and immediate need for remote work.
Network security in the time of novel coronavirus: It’s not a new tact for cybercriminals to be opportunists in times of global crisis or when the workforce attention is focused on important national ore regional events. Novel coronavirus poses an immediate threat and organizations must be ready to meet the demands of a remote workforce in a secure, compliant way.
What is PCI Compliance?The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) applies to companies of any size that accept credit card payments. If your company intends to accept card payment and store, process and transmit cardholder data, you need to host your data securely.
Encrypting Data to Meet HIPAA Compliance: To address the question of whether or not to use data encryption when it comes to meeting HIPAA compliance and keeping patient health information (PHI) protected, let’s revisit the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA):
Otava provides the secure, compliant hybrid cloud solutions demanded by service providers, channel partners and enterprise clients in compliance-sensitive industries. By actively aggregating best-of-breed cloud companies and investing in people, tools, and processes, Otava’s global footprint continues to expand. The company provides its customers in highly regulated disciplines with a clear path to transformation through its effective solutions and broad portfolio of hybrid cloud, data protection, disaster recovery, security and colocation services, all championed by an exceptional support team. Learn more at www.otava.com.
