How an iPaaS Protects Sensitive Data and Complies with Privacy Regulations

It’s not just healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing that are affected by data breaches and privacy violations. Businesses of all types can be targeted, and they’re expected to secure sensitive data to prevent it from happening. Data security is a top priority for all data projects, but especially when integrating two previously separate systems.

Sharing information between applications can help businesses scale, but without proper compliance and privacy, costs may outweigh benefits. An iPaaS protects sensitive data so businesses can enjoy more benefits with less risk. We’ll highlight how in this post.

iPaaS Security vs. Traditional Integration Platforms

An iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) is a cloud-based solution for integrating data from various sources, including on-premises and cloud-based systems. Unlike many traditional integration platforms that require on-premises installation or hosting in a private cloud, iPaaS is managed in the cloud by the provider. The provider can therefore ensure advanced security controls like threat detection, data encryption, and access controls are in place. This also means the provider is handling maintenance and updates to keep security protocols current. In addition, iPaaS providers often have more compliance certifications than traditional integration platforms, such as HIPPA, SOC 2, and PCI DSS.

How iPaaS Protects Sensitive Data

iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) platforms typically have a variety of security measures in place to protect sensitive data and comply with privacy regulations. Here are some of the ways that iPaaS platforms can safeguard data:

Encryption

Encryption is a crucial component of data security. iPaaS platforms typically use industry-standard encryption algorithms to encrypt data both at REST and in transit. Encryption makes it difficult for unauthorized users to access or steal data, even if they somehow gain access to the system. It also protects data when it's being transmitted between systems, ensuring it cannot be intercepted or read by unauthorized users. For example, StarfishETL uses AES 224-bit encryption to protect passwords and encrypts the SSL on servers.

Access Controls

Access controls are another essential component of data security. iPaaS platforms enforce strict access controls, ensuring that only authorized users can access sensitive data. Access controls may include multi-factor authentication and role-based access control.

Multi-factor authentication requires users to provide two or more forms of authentication before accessing the system, such as a password and a fingerprint scan. Role-based access control assigns permissions to users based on their job roles, ensuring that they only have access to the data they need to perform their job duties. StarfishETL uses both access control methods in its iPaaS.

Compliance Certifications

An iPaaS can obtain compliance certifications such as SOC 2, HIPAA, and GDPR. These certifications demonstrate that the platform has implemented appropriate security measures and processes to protect sensitive data.

SOC 2, for example, is a widely recognized certification that verifies that a platform has implemented appropriate security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy controls. StarfishETL is in the process of attaining SOC2 compliance as of 2022.

Audit Trails

Audit trails are a record of all data activity, including who accessed the data, when they accessed it, and what changes they made. iPaaS platforms like StarfishETL can maintain audit trails of all data activity, providing visibility into data activity and helping identify and mitigate security risks. Audit trails can be used to monitor data activity in real-time, or they can be used to investigate security incidents after they occur.

StarfishETL Bonus Feature: Safe Connections Through Firewalls

One iPaaS security measure you won’t find anywhere else is in StarfishETL’s Ray technology. In the past, clients with an on-premises or in-house solution had to work locally or turn off their firewalls to expose data from servers for migration and integration. StarfishETL developed a workaround with the Ray. The Ray connects to a locally installed agent to securely access protected internal systems without disabling the firewall itself. This keeps data secure and eliminates the risks of exposed information.   

It's important to carefully evaluate the security features of iPaaS platforms before choosing one. Generally, an iPaaS will be the more secure option over a traditional platform, but the extent of that security depends on the provider. Make sure you explain your security needs to any iPaaS providers you evaluate so you rule out ones that don’t align to your needs.

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