Rincon India Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Tag: Data breach

  • Reblog: Are free online fax solutions right for companies?

    Choosing a free online fax solution versus a professional service will depend on an organization needs in terms of security features, customer service, and support.

    With all its advantages, online fax technology is increasingly popular within organizations that need to exchange documents on a regular basis. At the same time, alternatives to the traditional fax have been developed by numerous providers. Some developers even present solutions that they offer free of charge over the Internet. But are these free online fax solutions appropriate for companies?

    Here are a few features that highlight various shortcomings of these free Internet fax programs.

    Free online fax solutions and data security

    As recent news about data breaches and compliance issues will show you, more and more companies need to improve the way they handle personal information about their customers or any other sensitive data that may have a high value for defrauders. It’s clear that data security has become a major issue for many organizations.

    To ensure the confidentiality of documents transmitted online, certain telecommunications companies have developed effective solutions for secure transfer, assuring users that their documents can only be consulted by the intended recipients.

    Procedures such as encryption or transit over highly secure infrastructure can guarantee users of an online fax service that their messages will remain confidential.

    It is also possible that the messages received may be infected by computer viruses. It is therefore a good idea to make sure that the selected service can identify the presence of this kind of threat.

    However, these security features are very rarely a privilege of free online faxing, making them a risky choice for companies that work with sensitive data.

    Performance can differ between free and professional services

    Since each company is different, their communications needs will differ based on factors such as their size and their area of business. For example, some organizations require archiving tools, while others must regularly send large files that exceed email attachment limitations.

    However, free fax services often offer only basic options that do not include long-term storage of documents or the sending of larger files.

    Fax solutions providers, on the other hand, offer solutions tailored to their customer’s needs. Organizations who are looking for specific features, like the ability to transmit larger files, customizable security options, and an audit trail, for example, will find that consulting with fax service providers on the options available to them will work better for them in the long run. Today’s fax solutions come with an assortment of volume-based pricing options, so in the end, organizations only pay for their typical usage.

    Support offered by online fax service providers

    Implementing an online fax service may require technical skills that only specialists possess. For companies that need to send faxes daily, a service interruption can cause significant problems.

    For this reason, companies moving to fax over IP solution should be able to count on support from their service provider. Although free fax solutions usually offer customer service, it is rarely fast, nor would a user be able to get the full support they require.

    With a full-featured online fax solution, the customer obtains the benefits of a technical team and 24/7 customer support. This minimizes the risk that a lengthy service interruption will impact the organization’s activities.

    Online fax solutions from XMedius

    In light of this information, although free online fax solutions may be appropriate for certain users, they can be a risky choice for companies that don’t want to find themselves in an unfortunate situation because of their shortcomings.

    In order to benefit from secure transfers, added features and constant technical support, put your trust instead in a recognized provider like XMedius.

    XMedius is a world leader in the field of secure file transfer solutions for companies. It developed the first all-inclusive fax over IP software in the industry. The services it offers have what it takes to meet the needs of all organizations.

    The original article can be found here.

    For more information e-mail us on sales@rincon.co.in and we will be glad to assist you.

  • Reblog: The GDPR primer: 5 Tips for getting your organization ready

    In less than 9 months, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will come into full effect. It will introduce tough new privacy requirements for companies in the EU, as well as anyone who handles EU data. The new set of laws imposed by the GDPR will give consumers significantly more control over the ways in which their data is collected, distributed, kept, and destroyed.

    Although May 2018 may seem like a far way off, but when you consider the complex changes many organizations will have to undergo in the way they handle personal data, the date is actually approaching pretty quickly.

    To successfully prepare for GDPR, companies of all sizes need to establish a solid foundation for meeting compliance before the new laws come into play. We’ve compiled a list of tips you can follow that will help you align your business practices and processes with GDPR regulations. Our list is not exhaustive, but can help businesses put a few preparations into place in advance.

    1. Raise Awareness

    Businesses handling personal data both in and outside of the EU must begin by developing a full understanding of the GDPR and exactly what it entails. It’s vital to recognize that GDPR applies to organizations everywhere in the world as long as they handle data containing any personal information about EU citizens, no matter where the data is stored. Make it a priority to circulate training videos or documentation containing detailed information on GDPR regulations around your organization so that everyone can begin to understand how it applies to your business processes.

    2. Develop a coherent privacy policy

    Organizations will need to clearly communicate with customers the purpose for which they are collecting their data under GDPR, so writing privacy policies that are easily understandable should become a top priority. Consumers need to be aware of their rights to disclose or refuse disclosure of personal information and understand the specific purpose for which it will be used. The GDPR also outlines that any information that’s collected for a stated purpose can only be used for that purpose after obtaining consent.

    Most companies practice transparency, but it’s important to make sure that privacy policies that contain a lot of fine print must be brought to the forefront and made legible and easy to understand or you could be faced with a fine. The fines for data breaches are huge – In cases of violation, the GDPR gives EU regulators the authority to impose fines of between 2 and 4 percent of a company’s global revenues.

    3. Prepare your data breach policy

    GDPR is no different than many regulations in that it requires you to inform consumers about data breaches that may affect their personal information – but with one catch – you have to do it within 72 hours. It’s one of the tightest timelines out there in the compliance world and may require that you revise your current data breach policy. Ensure that your insurance policies and internal procedures for incident reporting reflect the new law.

    4. Assess existing technology risks

    When strict regulations come into play, organizations need to reexamine the solutions they use to send and receive consumer information – it’s important to assess which solutions may need to be upgraded or replaced. If your HR, finance, or other departments are currently using inherently non-secure means of transmitting sensitive data between countries, it’s time to reassess your options. A cloud fax solution, for example, eliminates several of the security risks that come with using traditional fax machines.

    Cloud fax software enables employees to send and receive sensitive documents directly from their workstations, which means no more printed documents left lying around potentially falling into the wrong hands or being otherwise misplaced. Full knowledge of your organization’s technology risks can present opportunities to leverage existing solutions that will get rid of any security gaps in your infrastructure and help enable GDPR compliance.

    5. Investigate innovative new technologies

    GDPR will require companies handling personal data to develop strong data discovery and incident detection processes so that they can keep track of where their information is, and is being sent, at all times. Not everyone has a data controller on staff, and refining these processes doesn’t have to be a complicated task. Consider secure file exchange solutions that automate some of the workload for you.

    Solutions with features such as a built-in audit trail function eliminate guesswork by keeping a timestamped record of all files and documents that are transferred, whether inbound or outbound. Not only does can this boost organizational workflow, you’ll have a chronological record of system activities in case you’re ever up for audit. It’s all too common for organizations to transfer consumer’s personal information without the proper safeguards in place, which is why looking into new technologies that can improve your processes is so crucial.

    By understanding the GDPR in advance, you’ll get a stronger grasp of its requirements and be well on your way to mitigating any risks associated with how you handle personal data. Looking to boost security when sending and receiving sensitive information? Speak with an expert today to learn about solutions that will help take your organization’s security and compliance to the next level.

    The original article can be found here.

    To learn more contact us sales@rincon.co.in

  • Reblog: How Vigilant are You about Cybersecurity?

    Cybersecurity is a hot topic, as it should be. With growing amounts of personal data being stored online, we should all be taking security of our online presence seriously. It seems, however, that while Americans do not trust modern institutions to protect their data, they are neither vigilant in their private security measures nor do they consider cybersecurity a top worry.

    According to the Pew Research Center, approximately half of all Americans do not trust public or private institutions, including the federal government and social media sites, to protect their data. This mistrust is not entirely unfounded. The survey done by the center revealed that 64% of adults in the US have been impacted by a major data breach.

    Data breaches include fraudulent charges on credit cards, sensitive information (like account numbers) being compromised, email or social media accounts being taken over, attempts at taking out loans or lines of credit in their names, and more.

    Fourteen percent of adults in US reported having received notices that their Social Security number had been compromised.

    Nearly half of all Americans also reported feeling that their personal information is less secure than it was five years ago. Only 18% feel that their information has gotten more secure in recent years.

    Unfortunately, while cyber crimes are a concern and risk to personal data security, far too many Americans are failing to follow secure practices online.

    Only 12% of internet users report ever using password management software, and among those, only 3% say they rely on this password technique most. In fact, 65% of users say their primary method to remember passwords is simply to memorize them in their heads. Another 18% say they primarily write down their passwords on a piece of paper.

    Moreover, 41% of adults have shared the password to one of their online accounts with a friend or family member and 39% say they use the same or very similar passwords for many of their online accounts.

    And a full quarter of adults say they use passwords that are less secure than they’d like. Their explanation? They need to remember the passwords, so they can’t be too complex.

    The statistics don’t look any better on mobile devices. Twenty-eight percent of smartphone owners say that they do not use security features such as a screen lock to access their phone and 54% of adults report using public Wi-Fi networks that may not be secure. Among those 54%, one-in-five users reported using those networks to perform sensitive activities such as online banking.

    Given the attitude towards cybersecurity, it’s no wonder Americans are so lax about personal online security. Americans simply don’t worry much about the issue. Even Americans who have been the victim of data breaches are generally no more likely than the average American to take any additional cybersecurity measures.

    The fact is, complacency regarding cybersecurity is a risk and there are simple measures to take that can vastly improve the security of your online presence. We wouldn’t trust a bank that simply memorized our information or that didn’t have proper security measures surrounding it’s vaults where our money and safety-deposit boxes are kept, so why shouldn’t we demand the same security online, both of ourselves and of the institutions that keep our information?

    As we allow more of our personal information online, we must stay vigilant about personal, corporate, and government cybersecurity measures.

    The original article can be found here.

    To learn more, contact us on sales@rincon.co.in