When cloud computing thought about security and privacy (in ThinkFree) !



 

As millions of consumers begin to take advantage of cloud computing it’s apparent that major concerns including security and privacy are top of mind. So how are companies such as ThinkFree ensuring the security and privacy of the millions of documents that sit on the cloud?

For starters, ThinkFree begins at their homepage by providing users with SSL secured sign-in process. By providing protocols which deliver security and data integrity for communications over TCP/IP networks such as the Internet, ThinkFree ensures information hijackers from decrypting account information. Furthermore, ThinkFree enhances their security even more by working with third party security companies such as Verisign which provide two important services – encryption of data transmission and identity verification.

But ThinkFree doesn’t end their security measures there! Security structure is divided into four sections:

Ø  First is the network security – ThinkFree runs a hardware based network firewall and IDS (Intrusion Detection System). Which ensures that all communications and data packets are real-time filtered and audited in addition to keeping unauthorized people off the network.

Should there be any suspicious access, leakage or attack, ThinkFree’s existing security system immediately blocks all data transfers.  A real-time report is sent to the security manager via email and mobile message incase they are remotely located.

Ø  ThinkFree’s second layer sits within server security. By only allowing top management direct access to servers in the local network environment, unauthorized remote users cannot directly access any of ThinkFree’s servers. This method delivers an extra layer of security by requiring users to be localized whenever directly accessing any of ThinkFree’s servers.

Ø  Protecting user’s uploaded data and documents is a critical portion of cloud computing. ThinkFree leverages D-DRM (Document-Digital Right Management). Incase there are data and/or document leaks into public domains an encrypted document protocol is launched so that unauthorized users can’t open or read the documents without a license key.

Internal security measures have been covered now what about backup capabilities should a natural disaster strike?

ð  ThinkFree servers currently sit at the IDC (Internet Data Center) owned by Samsung networks which provides UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply). Consisting of a three-layer hierarchy: the upper layer is the active layer which conducts the active service. Followed by the middle layer which is a standby layer for automatic switching to a redundant server that has duplications of active servers.

Finally, the last layer is backup server for duplicating and backing up of active and standby server’s all data. Which ensures all data is captured and mirrored in case of a disaster. In addition, all data is backed up once a week from the IDC server farm to local internal server farms which are located at ThinkFree Corp.