DataSay uses some of the most advanced technology for Internet security that is commercially available today. We provided this Security Statement for transparency about our security infrastructure and practices, to help reassure you that your data is appropriately protected.

Application and User Security

TLS Encryption: All communications with the DataSay.com website are sent over TLS connections. Transport Layer Security (TLS) technology (the successor technology to SSL) protects communications by using both server authentication and data encryption. This ensures that user data in transit is safe, secure, and available only to intended recipients.

User Authentication: User data on our database is logically segregated by account-based access rules. User accounts have unique usernames and passwords that must be entered each time a user logs on DataSay issues a session cookie only to record encrypted authentication information for the duration of a specific session. The session cookie does not include the password of the user.

User Passwords: User application passwords have minimum complexity requirements. Passwords are individually salted and hashed.

Data Encryption: Certain sensitive user data, such as credit card details and account passwords, is stored in encrypted format.

Data Portability: DataSay enables you to export your data from our system in a variety of formats so that you can back it up, or use it with other applications.

Privacy: We have a comprehensive privacy policy that provides a very transparent view of how we handle your data, including how we use your data, who we share it with, and how long we retain it.

Physical Security

Data Centers: Our information systems infrastructure (servers, networking equipment, etc.) is collocated at third party SSAE 16/SOC 2 audited data centers.

Data Center Security: Our data centers are staffed and surveilled 24/7. Access is secured by security guards, visitors logs, and entry requirements such as passcards and biometric recognition. Our equipment is kept in locked cages.

Environmental Controls: Our data center is maintained at controlled temperatures and humidity ranges which are continuously monitored for variations. Smoke and fire detection and response systems are in place.

Location: All user data is stored on servers located in the United States.

Availability

Connectivity: Fully redundant IP network connections with multiple independent connections to a range of Tier 1 Internet access providers.

Power: Servers have redundant internal and external power supplies. Data center has backup power supplies, and is able to draw power from the multiple substations on the grid, several diesel generators, and backup batteries.

Uptime: Continuous uptime monitoring, with immediate escalation to DataSay staff for any downtime.

Failover: Our database is log-shipped to standby servers and can failover in less than an hour.

Network Security

Uptime: Continuous uptime monitoring, with immediate escalation to DataSay staff for any downtime.

Third Party Scans: Weekly security scans are performed.

Testing: System functionality and design changes are verified in an isolated test “sandbox” environment and subject to functional and security testing prior to deployment to active production systems.

Firewall: Firewall restricts access to all ports except 80 (http) and 443 (https).

Patching: Latest security patches are applied to all operating system and application files to mitigate newly discovered vulnerabilities.

Access Control: Secure VPN, multifactor authentication, and role-based access is enforced for systems management by authorized engineering staff.

Logging and Auditing: Central logging systems capture and archive all internal systems access including any failed authentication attempts.

Storage Security

Backup Frequency: Backups occur hourly internally, and daily to a centralized backup system for storage in multiple geographically disparate sites.

Production Redundancy: Data stored on a RAID 10 array. O/S stored on a RAID 1 array.

Organizational & Administrative Security

Employee Screening: We perform background screening on all employees.

Training: We provide security and technology use training for employees.

Service Providers: We screen our service providers and bind them under contract to appropriate confidentiality obligations if they deal with any user data.

Access: Access controls to sensitive data in our databases, systems and environments are set on a need-to-know / least privilege necessary basis.

Audit Logging: We maintain and monitor audit logs on our services and systems.

Information Security Policies: We maintain internal information security policies, including incident response plans, and regularly review and update them.

Software Development Practices

Stack: We code in C#, HTML5, and JavaScript. The application is run on Azure Application Server and SQL Azure.

Coding Practices: Our engineers use best practices and industry-standard secure coding guidelines to ensure secure coding.

Handling of Security Breaches

Despite best efforts, no method of transmission over the Internet and no method of electronic storage is perfectly secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security. However, if DataSay learns of a security breach, we will notify affected users so that they can take appropriate protective steps. Our breach notification procedures are consistent with our obligations under various state and federal laws and regulation, as well as any industry rules or standards that we adhere to. Notification procedures include providing email notices or posting a notice on our website if a breach occurs.

Your Responsibilities

Keeping your data secure also depends on you ensuring that you maintain the security of your account by using sufficiently complicated passwords and storing them safely. You should also ensure that you have sufficient security on your own systems, to keep any survey data you download to your own computer away from prying eyes.