Web App Security: How To Protect Ourselves

Web Applications Security has been arousing emotions and interest for years now. Not just business owners, but more and more often also application users themselves, becoming aware of the dangers associated with cybersecurity threats, are increasingly interested in security. Security of how we access information has many different aspects but there’s one that’s often overlooked and it has to do with the security of web applications we use. 

Some types of threats you might encounter…

Just as not all of them are alike, not all of them are equally secure. Some of the most common security vulnerabilities of web apps would include:
•    Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) - An attack that can lead to unwanted fund transfers, password changes, or data theft. It involves making a query to a resource to which the attacker has no access (e.g. it can only be accessed from a specific IP) from the browser of the attacked user. This causes the browser to unknowingly perform actions on the site to which the user is logged in.
•    Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) - An attack targeting application users. It can be used to access user accounts, inject malicious code to deceive users, or deface the website.
•    SQL Injection - Using malicious SQL to manipulate back-end databases. This may include unauthorized viewing of data lists, tables, or unauthorized administrative access.
•    Remote File Inclusion (RFI) - Remote file injection into a web application server. This can lead to malicious code execution in applications, network server compromise and data theft.

How can you improve your security as a user

As an everyday user you can’t always be sure that you are secure, but there are things you can do to increase your level of security and be a conscious user.

1.    Keeping up to date

To avoid any potential attacks, it is important to regularly check and update your applications, your web browsers and your operating systems. Application developers provide security updates on a regular basis, and it is key to download and install them as soon as they become available.

2.    Secure access

One of the basic things you need to take care of is keeping your password strong and secure. If your organization is using a password manager - great, if not - you can use one yourself. Same goes for VPN access, SSH keys or two-factor authentication. These may seem a nuisance, but all serve a very important purpose.

3.    Regular backups

Security cannot exist without regular backups. Make sure you do it as often as possible. It is also worth keeping backups in the cloud, which allows you to store almost an unlimited number of previous versions of files.

4.    Trusted applications

As a user, there’s only so much you can do yourself. But just as you would not download any application from a strange website onto your phone, you should act the same at work. Make an effort and check if the systems and programs your organization uses are up to date and secure. You don’t have to be an IT expert to do it, if you know what to look out for.

How you can protect your business data

ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 are two of the most widely recognized global standards for information security and risk management, each having its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at these two standards, examining five key compliance aspects.

•    SOC 2 and ISO/IEC 27001 cover many similar areas, securing processes, principles, and technologies designed to protect confidential information. Research suggests that these two frameworks share up to 96% of the same security measures. The difference lies in which of these security measures you choose to implement. Both ISO/IEC 27001 and SOC 2 require organizations to adopt data security only when applicable, but their approach to this topic differs slightly.
•    ISO/IEC 27001 focuses on developing and maintaining an Information Security Management System (ISMS), which is the overarching method for managing data protection practices. Achieving compliance involves conducting risk assessments, identifying and implementing security control measures, and regularly reviewing their effectiveness.
•    On the other hand, SOC 2 is much more flexible. It encompasses five Trust Service Criteria: security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy, with only the first one being mandatory. Organizations can implement internal controls related to other criteria if they wish, but it's not obligatory.

If you’re looking for a Translation Business Management System that would fulfill the most rigorous security criteria, FlowFit by Consoltec might be your best choice. At the end of 2023, it obtained SOC 2 Type II certification.

In the course of preparation for the series of rigorous audits, Consoltec has adjusted numerous security processes and levels of monitoring in several areas including change management, disaster recovery and business continuity. With these improvements, FlowFit as a system is compliant with the most rigorous requirements when it comes to security, as verified and confirmed by the external SOC 2 Type II audit. 

The SOC 2, Type II report contains a list of detailed security controls currently in place at Consoltec. If you are interested in discussing it in detail and seeing a copy of the report, please email: [email protected]

FlowFit is based on three pillars

Effective Collaboration

You will enhance your teamwork by optimizing task assignments and tracking the progress of ongoing tasks. The availability of FlowFit in the cloud facilitates seamless collaboration among remote stakeholders. Leveraging analytical and statistical reports to make well-informed decisions and enhancing overall project efficiency is now easier than ever.

Automation of Your Workflows

The platform streamlines processes by automating repetitive and tedious tasks, such as file opening. Tailoring your organization's automation processes to your specific needs, ensuring flexibility and efficiency. You will not believe how easy it is to centralize task assignment on a single platform, identifying and allocating tasks to the most suitable providers swiftly and effectively.

Integration of All Your CAT Tools

It’s an industry-must to integrate your preferred translation memory tools, such as memoQ, LogiTerm, and RWS Trados GroupShare, into a unified platform. With FlowFit you will get comprehensive control over every stage of your projects within a single solution. Saving you both time and money by utilizing the full spectrum of functionalities for managing your translation assistance tools in one cohesive solution.

How does FlowFit address security

Data Encryption

Data encryption serves as the cornerstone of modern security practices, especially when dealing with sensitive information. FlowFit employs encryption protocols to safeguard data at rest and in transit. By utilizing industry-standard encryption algorithms, client documents, project details, and other critical data are shielded from unauthorized access.

FlowFit ensures end-to-end encryption, meaning data remains encrypted throughout its entire lifecycle, from storage to transmission and access. This level of encryption provides peace of mind to clients, knowing that their confidential documents and communication channels are fortified against potential threats.

Infrastructure and Vulnerability Monitoring

A proactive approach to security is vital in thwarting potential threats before they escalate. FlowFit implements robust infrastructure monitoring tools coupled with continuous vulnerability assessments to fortify its system against potential breaches.

Through real-time monitoring of network traffic, system logs, and application behavior, FlowFit can promptly detect any anomalous activities or suspicious access attempts. Additionally, regular vulnerability assessments help identify and patch potential weaknesses in the system, ensuring it remains resilient against evolving cyber threats.

Environment Segregation

Segregating environments is a fundamental security practice that mitigates the risk of unauthorized access and data leakage. FlowFit meticulously segregates its development, testing, and production environments to maintain strict control over access permissions and data flow.

By compartmentalizing these environments, FlowFit ensures that changes made during development or testing phases do not inadvertently impact the stability or security of the production environment. This segregation also minimizes the risk of unauthorized access to sensitive data, as access privileges are carefully managed and restricted based on predefined roles and responsibilities.

This is why governmental institutions, BioPharma corporations, companies from financial, gaming, manufacturing and legal space, as well as Language Service Providers alike all trust FlowFit to handle their language business processes. They understand the value of security and know it cannot be compromised on. 

By achieving SOC 2 Type II certification, FlowFit has proven its operational readiness to serve and overdeliver when it comes to ever rising security requirements. SOC 2 (Service Organizational Control) is a compliance standard that was developed to assess the effectiveness of controls over customer data in an organization. The process has been designed to ensure that these controls are future-ready and remain successful over time.

“From our perspective, it is becoming a must-have for every solution provider, who wants to cater to the needs of the most demanding market players. We want to continue being a leading choice for organizations who understand the security challenges of today’s world, and therefore a SOC 2 certification was a natural next step.” says Consoltec Team Lead Manager & Software architect, Martin Côté.

What are you waiting for? Contact us today and talk to us about your specific needs and business goals.