Security Policy
This Security Policy governs the processing of data provided by a Subscriber in connection with their user license agreement (“Agreement”) or through the use of the SMOKEBALL Services. By using the Software, our services, or our website, or by signing an Agreement with SMOKEBALL, you signify your acceptance of this policy. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our Sites or App.
Keeping your Firm Safe
There is a lot of legitimate concern about cyber-security with many malicious actors seeking to extract money using nefarious online methods. Whilst it might seem as if a server in your office with local PC’s is secure, if your in-house network is connected to the Internet, it is incredibly vulnerable to attack, and Ransomware is typically placed on on-premises servers.
SMOKEBALL has an in-house Information Security officer that is dedicated to maintaining the security of client data in SMOKEBALL, SMOKEBALL itself, and of course all our internal systems that support our business.
SMOKEBALL Data on the SMOKEBALL Servers
Being a cloud solution, the software and all client data is stored on SMOKEBALL Servers, which are built on the AWS (Amazon Web Services) platform. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a leading cloud services platform, providing database storage, content delivery and a range of other functions. It is one of the largest and most successful cloud platform providers in the world.
AWS makes security its top priority, providing a data center and network architecture built to meet the requirements of the most security-sensitive organizations such as NASA, Atlassian and Dow Jones. AWS is constantly evolving its core security services such as identity and access management, logging and monitoring, encryption and key management, network segmentation and Denial of Service (DDoS) protection.
SMOKEBALL stores data in the jurisdiction of origin. In the United States this is in North Virginia. SMOKEBALL actively works to take advantage of AWS services, following Information Security best practices.
SMOKEBALL also makes continuous backups, so your SMOKEBALL data will be up to date to the time you last connected to the Internet. We keep your SMOKEBALL data safe by adhering to industry best practices.
AWS has an extensive and constant Cyber Security presence (its reputation depends on it) and SMOKEBALL too has its own Information Security Team. We continually monitor our AWS environment, implementing updates and patches in line with best practices prescribed by AWS. You can find out more about AWS security in the AWS Security & Compliance Quick Reference Guide (2018).
Security Controls
SMOKEBALL utilizes multiple layers of security controls (software, physical and process based) to protect our client data. This includes, but is not limited to:
Local & Network Firewalls
Web Application Firewalls
Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS)
Multi-vendor Anti-Virus
DDoS Throttling Services
Access Control Lists
Security Patch Management
Identity and Access Management
Centralized Log Management
Symmetric and Asymmetric Encryption systems
Separation of Duties
Vulnerability Assessment
Anomaly Detection
Remote Monitoring & Alerting
SMOKEBALL utilizes multiple layers of security controls (software, physical and process based) to protect our client data. This includes, but is not limited to:
Your PC Anti-Virus and Malware | Data stored on SMOKEBALL
Security on your PC is the responsibility of you and your IT provider. All information on your PC is vulnerable to attack without proper security precautions, so it is imperative to ensure every PC in your firm has the necessary anti-virus, malware and security protection.
As far as SMOKEBALL is concerned, should your PC be compromised or lost, all your data on the SMOKEBALL servers would still be safe. All you need do is buy a new PC and login to SMOKEBALL. Your data will still be there.
Email Hacking/Document Sharing | Smokeball Communicate
Email is a ubiquitous but high-risk communication method, vulnerable to infiltration and hacking. You should never send highly confidential, private or security-related information or documents by email.
To enable SMOKEBALL clients to communicate safely and securely, we developed Smokeball Communicate for document sharing. When a document is shared through Smokeball Communicate, it is not transported. It remains in Smokeball Communicate, and anyone with the right credentials can interact with it.
An email or notification is sent to the other party to allow them to view and comment on the document in Smokeball Communicate. The document itself is not sent.
Phishing Scams | Multi-Factor Authentication
When it comes to ransomware or phishing scams, the majority of breaches are due to weak or stolen passwords. Multiple factors, or forms, of authentication are the number one method of prevention. SMOKEBALL offers the ability to require staff to use multi-factor authentication to access the data stored in SMOKEBALL. Learn more here.
Data Encryption | SMOKEBALL Applications
Each SMOKEBALL application is accessed via HTTPS using Transport Layer Security (TLS). TLS is a cryptographic protocol designed to protect information transmitted over the internet against eavesdropping, tampering, and message forgery. Smokeball utilizes the most up-to-date version of TLS, version 1.3
Once client data reaches the SMOKEBALL cloud infrastructure, all information is then encrypted at rest, using AES-256, military grade encryption.
Service Availability | Multiple AWS Data Centers
SMOKEBALL has been designed to be a highly available, active-active solution. SMOKEBALL services are split over multiple AWS data centers within the United States. In the event of one data center going offline in a disaster scenario, the second data center continues to serve data with minimal, if any, service interruption. SMOKEBALL is not responsible for any delays resulting from AWS server availability.
Backup Policy | Frequent
SMOKEBALL servers are backed up multiple times daily, weekly and monthly.
System Monitoring | 24/7
SMOKEBALL is monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Data Breach Notification
SMOKEBALL will notify the Subscriber without undue delay and in writing on becoming aware of any Data Breach in respect to our client’s data.
If a vulnerability is identified or data is available publicly outside of the SMOKEBALL Software, please contact SMOKEBALL immediately via support@smokeball.com.
Privacy Policy
SMOKEBALL’s Privacy Policy is subject to change and can be accessed here.
SMOKEBALL and Your Data Security Responsibilities
Authorization
If you provide to SMOKEBALL any personal or sensitive data relating to other individuals, either directly, through our websites, through our software, or otherwise, you represent that you have the authority to do so and permit us to use, access, or host that data in accordance with this policy.
Account Access
SMOKEBALL employs industry standard security measures to ensure the security of information. However, the security of information transmitted through the Internet can never be guaranteed. SMOKEBALL is not responsible for any interception or interruption of any communications through the Internet or for changes to or losses of information. Site users are responsible for maintaining the security of any password, user ID, or other form of authentication involved in obtaining access to password protected or secure areas of any SMOKEBALL websites.
In order to protect you and your information, SMOKEBALL may suspend your use of a website, without notice, pending an investigation, if any breach of security is suspected. Access to and use of password protected and/or secure area of any Unauthorized Access to such areas is prohibited and may lead to criminal prosecution.
If you have reason to believe that your interaction with us is no longer secure (for example, if you feel that the security of any account you might have with us has been compromised), please immediately notify us of the problem by contacting us in accordance with the “Contacting Us” section herein.
We may use your information as we believe to be necessary or appropriate:
under applicable law, including laws outside your country of residence;
to comply with legal process;
to respond to requests from public and government authorities including public and government authorities outside your country of residence;
to service providers which act for us or provide services for us, such as for marketing or for the processing of payments, and as to such service providers their use of Personal Information is subject to our agreements with them and any applicable laws;
to enforce our terms and conditions;
to protect our operations or those of any of our affiliates;
to protect our rights, privacy, safety or property, and/or that of our affiliates, you or others;
to allow us to pursue available remedies or limit the damages that we may sustain; and
to respond to your troubleshooting requests or other service requests you submit to SMOKEBALL.
Questions?
This statement reflects the security policy of SMOKEBALL and is regularly reviewed and updated. It should be regarded as the primary source of truth regarding security within SMOKEBALL. Any questions should be directed to support@smokeball.com.