thawte http://www.artwoo.com Returned search results for thawte Copyright 2008 Sat, 22 Nov 2008 07:05:43 +0000 http://www.artwoo.com/rss/thawte Testing And Monitoring Of Networks For Security http://www.artwoo.com/article/testing-and-monitoring-of-networks-for-security http://www.artwoo.com/article/testing-and-monitoring-of-networks-for-security#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2007 11:35:01 +0000 credit card companiesmost important aspectsebaypaypalensure that theyregistration companysecurity vulnerabilities http://www.artwoo.com/article/testing-and-monitoring-of-networks-for-security eBay, iTunes, =96 these are just a few of the places that most of us enter our credit card and personal information every day. Since the internet became an integral part of each of our lives, the treat of identity theft is a daily reality for all but the most paranoid of internet users.

While we assume that the sites listed above are secure, how many of us have in fact checked to see to what lengths these companies go to keep their user's information safe from hackers? I'm sure very few.

Because we can't count on our registrants to be careful when entering information onto the registration website, as event planners, we must make sure that we do the research to ensure that our registrant's information is safe with our online . We want to send potential registrants to a site that portrays our event in a positive light. This means a website designed to our specifications, with professional quality and ease of use. But, most importantly, it means knowing that all information put online for our event will be safe from identity thieves.

One of the of a strong security system is frequent testing and monitoring of those systems. To receive the highest rank of Level 1 PCI compliance from Visa, companies must invest a large number of resources to are as secure as major banks and . As of yet, very few registration companies hold this ranking, but wouldn't it be nice to know that your registration company values your registrants' security enough to make it one of their highest priorities?

Constant monitoring and testing of security is a vital part of maintain the highest possible level of security. Some methods of monitoring include an independent daily audit for over 3,000 security checks, (exceeding the highest government standards including the FBI "Top twenty " test) and separate hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly backups that are archived for at least two years.

Other important factors to look for are the TRUSTe and Thawte logos. These companies monitor the strength and maintenance of privacy policies and information encryption. According to the website, to be certified by TRUSTe, companies must have their privacy policy open for review by TRUSTe, post notice and disclosure of collection and use practices of personally identifiable information, and give users choice and consent over how their information is used and shared.

While TRUSTe ensures that companies hold to their privacy policies and never use information without the user's consent, Thawte verifies SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption, meaning that the encryption of credit card information entered on the site if of the highest level possible. However, to be verified by Thawte, companies must meet stringent checklist of qualifications including both authentication and verification processes. For the authentication process, Thawte must confirm that the company registration details are entirely true and that the domain is in fact owned by the requesting party. To complete the verification process, Thawte uses a third party telephone listing to confirm that the authorized person requesting a certificate is employed by requesting party.

These are just a couple of the certifications to look for when choosing your online event registration system. When you send your attendees to the registration site, you want to be 100% sure that their data will be 100% safe so they won't have to research the security, but if they do, you can be confident that they'll like what they find. Ryan is a member of the marketing team for RegOnline, a producer of easy-to-use online registration http://www.regonline.com/marketing/Products/online-event-registration-softw= are.aspx software, and a company dedicated to making event planners' lives easier. ]]> SSL Certificates - Secure Server Certificates http://www.artwoo.com/article/ssl-certificates-secure-server-certificates http://www.artwoo.com/article/ssl-certificates-secure-server-certificates#comments Sat, 02 Dec 2006 08:27:03 +0000 secure server certificatessl certificatecertificate authorityverisignemailthawtecertificate request http://www.artwoo.com/article/ssl-certificates-secure-server-certificates
s are generally used with ecommerce shopping carts, or anywhere you want to collect information from a user securely on your website. If you use a with a form; and that form s the results to you; keep in mind that the email is not secure.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer): Creates an encrypted link between a web server and a browser. CA (): The vendor you will get the secure server certificate from CSR (Certificate Signing Request): A text file generated by a web server. A CSR looks like this:

-----BEGIN NEW ----- MIIDGgBNAGkAYwByAG8AcwBvAGYAdAAgAFIAUwBBACAAUwB AG4AZQBsACAAQwByAHkAcAB0AG8AZwByAGEAcABoAGkAYwl L0ygNwwNIvKLMPq4/LcUkZ9Oo4AssXW5mvvhHWGz2RWYRhrw8o -----END NEW CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----

First, you need to decide whether to use your hosting shared SSL certificate if they offer it. The URL to your store will look something like:

https://theirserver.com/youruserid/your/path/to/store.html

Or do you want to get your own SSL certificate? The URL will look like:

https://yourdomainname.com

If you decide to use your hosts' shared secure server certificate, then all you need to do is find out the path you need to use to call your files securely, and you will be on your way.

If you decide to get your own SSL certificate, this is generally what happens.

You first need to decide who you are going to get your SSL certificate from. It is a good idea to make sure your host supports your particular vendor. Some certificate authority vendors are:

* * * Comodo * You can also review several vendors at a glance at WhichSSL

Before getting your own SSL certificate, you will need to do some reading on what your chosen Certificate Authority requires for a secure certificate, and you'll also need to come up with some documentation. There are several steps to buying a secure server certificate, once you have decided on a vendor.

This is an overview, not written in stone. Each CA is different, so make sure you read their documentation and what they require. Here is an idea of what they want:

All documentation that is requested must match *exactly*. Secure certificate authorities will verify that your organization actually exists, so they know they are issuing to the correct company. You will need to prove that the Organization Name and the Domain name are in fact yours to use. Steps you'll be taking:

* Gather required documentation * Have your host generate a CSR * Complete certificate authority online application * Certificate authority will process your request * Pickup and install your SSL certificate (usually an URL is emailed to you to download the secure server certificate) * Depending on the vendor, it can take a few hours to a few days. * Send secure certificate to host for installation. (Send in plain text)

Once your web hosting provider receives this information; they will generate the CSR and send it back to you in plain text. You then send it on to Verisign or Thawte, or whoever you have chosen as your secure certificate authority. They will then generate a SSL certificate for you which you will send back to your host for installation. Your web host may charge a fee for installation in addition to what your SSL certificate vendor charges.

Something to think about:

If you've decided to purchase your own SSL certificate, you will need to decide how you want your URL to be called. If you, as a rule, call your domain name in your coding as www.yourdomainname.com, then make sure you indicate this to your host when you request a CSR from them. If you don't, and you get the certificate for yourdomainname.com (without the www), this will cause browser errors, making the certificate seem insecure, and you will need to change your coding.

Always use yourself or your company as technical contact.

How to tell if a site is secure?

After you've browsed to a site securely; using https:// in the URL, look on the lower right hand side of your browser. You should see a closed lock. This will tell you the site is secure. Elizabeth Ramer has been working in the web hosting industry since 1997, and enjoys building computers in her spare time. Visit http://flawebworks.com for web hosting or http://build-computer-systems.com/ for computer components. ]]> The Importance Of A Vulnerability Management Program http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-importance-of-a-vulnerability-management-program http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-importance-of-a-vulnerability-management-program#comments Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:20:01 +0000 breachsecurity checksmanagement programrisk management approachvulnerabilityregistration companyevent registration http://www.artwoo.com/article/the-importance-of-a-vulnerability-management-program breached; however, how high the chances are for that breach and how that breach is dealt with if it occurs can be controlled. So, before you choose just any system for your , make sure that you know the website has the most secure .

The intent of a vulnerability management program is to ensure that current security issues within the environment are identified, evaluated using a , and dealt with in a cost-effective and efficient manner. One of the best possible and most important components of a strong vulnerability management program is an independent daily audit for over 3,000 , which exceeds the highest government standards, including the FBI "Top 20 security vulnerabilities" test. Such checks along with secure and redundant web and data base servers allow the system both to run through problems on the main server and to resist any breach. Daily checks also ensure that the security of the system is up-to-date and continually resistant to any security issue.

So, why is it important to check into the security level of your online ? Because you are not just entering your information into their database =96 you are asking all of your registrants to enter their information as well, and most of them will not check the security level of your online registration company. They will trust you send them to a secure site, and you want to know that you deserve their trust. Don't ask your registrants to trust their personal and financial information to a site that you would not trust upon further investigation.

Consider the severe consequences of one or multiple of your registrants' identities being stolen. Such a breach would have devastating effects on the credibility of your company and your event. A secure event registration site is vital to the success of your events, so make it a priority when choosing your online registration software.

Some important credentials to look for in addition to independent daily audits for over 3,000 security checks and secure and redundant web and data base servers are a TRUSTe-approved and =96monitored privacy policy, a Thawte-verified 128 bit RSA encryption Secure Socket Layer, separate hourly, daily, weekly, and monthly backups that are archived for at least two years, and daily virus definition updates and real time virus scanning to ensure that no virus will compromise you registrants'' information. Most importantly, however, make sure that your event registration company is Level 1 PCI compliant so that your system is as secure as major banks and credit card companies.

With all of these security measures upheld, your registrants information should be as safe as possible from any breach, but if a breach occurs, the problem or virus will be identified and fixed as soon as possible on a highly monitored system.

Your registrants' information should be as secure as it would be in any bank so that you don't have to work about anything but planning a spectacular event. Ryan is a member of the marketing team for RegOnline, a producer of easy-to-use http://www.regonline.com/marketing/Products/online-event-registration-softw= are.aspx software, and a company dedicated to making event planners' lives easier. ]]> Web Based CRM Solutions And Customization http://www.artwoo.com/article/web-based-crm-solutions-and-customization http://www.artwoo.com/article/web-based-crm-solutions-and-customization#comments Sun, 02 Mar 2008 21:29:59 +0000 ss numbersweb based solutionscredit card numbersproper authoritiesdigital certificatesadware spywarehome addresses http://www.artwoo.com/article/web-based-crm-solutions-and-customization home addresses, and credit card and . The bulk of information processed daily require companies to get web based CRM solutions to keep the information secure and efficiently managed.

Securing Your Databank

Your databank houses information entrusted to you by your online customers. They have parted with more than just their phone numbers. They've given you their SS and , confident that these wouldn't be compromised and used by online crooks. Safeguard their information and your company details with web based CRM solutions.

Customers now know which online sites to trust. These sites show government like Thawte or VeriSign confirming the sites' legitimacy, or the gold key or lock that informs customers that their information is scrambled or encrypted the moment it leaves their browser to zip to the intended site.

Web based CRM solutions also provide the necessary firewalls to protect the databank from malicious adware, spyware, and other external electronic mischief. These web-based solutions strengthen security with layered systems that can spot attacks which otherwise would go undetected.

When deciding on a CRM system, ensure that you are getting the best protection for the information you share with your customers and other businesses. Ask the service provider for other mitigating systems in case your security has been breached.

When the Unthinkable Happens

When your data security has been violated, report the incident immediately to the service provider and to the . Check out which of the information was violated and freeze access to that segment of information.

The best thing you can do for your customers is to report the incident to them so they can immediately inform their credit card companies or their banks. Time is essential in this kind of theft before the crooks withdraw all the money from bank accounts and run up credit card purchases in the thousands of dollars.

Bear in mind the unwanted possibilities when you are getting web based CRM solutions to manage your accounts and other business information. Service providers or the sellers of CRS software can have your system customized to respond to your needs. But make sure that your personnel handling the system should undergo training before handling the system.

Customized Solutions

Different businesses require different information. Restaurants will need a system that can help them decide menus after studying the changes in customers' tastes and buying trends; another will want tools that can link the customers' information immediately to the company information they want. Some would require online chat features.

When considering CRM solutions for your business, assess its needs. Consider the type of business, the information needed to facilitate business transactions, and the tools you want integrated to improve online customer service. Consider the web based CRM solutions for the protection and management of your suite of information.

If you have heard that some systems did not work for others, this could be traced to several reasons like an unsuitable system, staff untrained to handle the new system, or management failing to use the information for their long-term goals. When getting and applications, be ready to work. You still need to work out strategies to get customer loyalty and manage information sharing professionally. Web based CRM solutions (http://www.crm-software-guide.com/web-based-crm-solutions.htm), hosted CRM solutions (http://www.crm-software-guide.com/hosted-crm-solutions.htm), and customer relationship management software (http://www.crm-software-guide.com) are the latest catchwords in business circles. Get updated and visit http://CRM-Software-Guide.com today. ]]> Access Control: Who Has Access To Registrant Data? http://www.artwoo.com/article/access-control-who-has-access-to-registrant-data http://www.artwoo.com/article/access-control-who-has-access-to-registrant-data#comments Wed, 17 Oct 2007 13:19:58 +0000 contactregistration companyevent plannersocket layer encryptionsecure socket layerhesitantthawte http://www.artwoo.com/article/access-control-who-has-access-to-registrant-data event planner =96 in seemingly endless with venues, catering companies, and the oh-so-demanding event sponsor =96 can you afford to spend time developing registration spreadsheets, keeping track of each registrant's information, recording travel and hotel details, and taking and processing credit card info? For most event planners, the answer is a resounding no. The process of registration is often the straw that breaks the camel's back, causing an event planner's stress level to rise to supreme heights. Keeping track of all the technicalities of registration is a full time job that many planners are still attempting to juggle along with planning the event itself.

So, with the vast reach and simplicity of the internet, why are so many event planners to switch to an online that will take care of all these technicalities for them?

The answer is simple: they either don't know about it, or they are worried that such companies could in fact complicate their lives. How can I know that information being put out on the internet will be safe? What if my registrants' information is compromised? Will the online registration company use or sell my registrants' information after they have it in their System? With the right company, all of these questions can be avoided because registrants' information will be secure and held safe for the sole use of the event planner. Even more importantly, with the right registration company, credit card information will be encrypted to the highest degree allowed by law, guaranteed by a SSL () encryption testing company, such as .

Once you have chosen a company that you know to be secure, you will enjoy features such as an event website with its own URL for registration, custom reports, and the ability to export reports to a wide variety of formats. Using a safe and secure online registration system can simplify the event planning process while increasing registration! And you can be sure that registrants' personal and financial information will be protected at the highest possible levels. Registrant and event planner information that is protected to the highest degree possible offers you a guarantee that the information will be stored exclusively for the event planner's use and will only be stored as long as is necessary. Holding to such standards, ensures that the event registration system is highly resistant to any breach, but if a breach does, in fact, occur, the system will have been monitored so effectively that it can be traced a remedied with accuracy and speed. A vulnerability recovery plan like this one is an essential part of upholding a strong security system to ensure that the system will not be breached. Your registrants will know that their information is safe.

Manually collecting registrations has long been one of the most tedious jobs involved in the event planning process, but it is no longer necessary for event coordinators if they choose a company that will offer the highest possible level of security so that they can enjoy the ease of use of such a comprehensive online registration system. With no need to worry whether or not their information will be hacker-safe, registrants will flock to your event because registering online is truly a far easier process than completing registration be old-fashioned snail-mail. Although giving up control over such a vital piece of the event planning process can be a frightening concept, doing your research to find a company that offers the strongest security for your registrants' data, will save you time to deal with all of the other details of planning your next fantastic event. Ryan is a member of the marketing team for RegOnline, a producer of easy-to-use Conference Registration http://www.regonline.com/marketing/Products/conference-registration-softwar= e.aspx software, and a company dedicated to making event planners' lives easier. ]]>