October 6, 2021
Three SaaS security measures that provide top-tier data protection
The Insider Blog / 5 min read
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October 6, 2021
The Insider Blog / 5 min read
Most security hacks water utilities face are external threats with financial motives that compromise credential information. Although personal customer information is not an aspect of the data transmitted with smart water systems, utilities need to prioritize security when choosing a Software as a Service (SaaS) offering to safeguard their system against potential attacks. Here are three key security tactics our SaaS solution prioritizes to protect utility data.
At the forefront of our SaaS security measures is a cellular network provider that maintains substantial protocols and technologies to protect against cyber threats. The carrier automates threat detection technologies for data to safeguard the network and corresponding infrastructure against cyberattacks.
Additionally, the provider continually improves its security measures through active research and development programs and evaluates new security technologies and products as they emerge. It also adheres to stringent industry standards—including two global ISO 27001 certifications—and upholds security to the highest level of protection.
Since 2015, Badger Meter has committed to annual voluntary audits to minimize potential security threats and ensure customer trust. One audit is the ISO 27001 certification, which analyzes how to appropriately operate, monitor and maintain an Information Security Management System (ISMS). An external auditor comes in to review our organization’s practices, policies and procedures to determine if the ISMS meets standard requirements. Once certified, a certification body then conducts annual assessments to monitor compliance.
The ISO 27001 certification demonstrates our investment in the people, technology and processes necessary to protect our organization’s data. It also provides a professional assessment proving that our data is effectively protected. Benefits of a SaaS backed by ISO 27001 certification include:
Another annual audit we have done voluntarily is the SOC 2 Type 2 certification. SOC 2 is an auditing procedure performed by external auditors that ensures service providers securely manage data to protect the interests of organizations and the privacy of its clients. It evaluates companies based on five trust service principles, including:
While SOC 2 compliance is not mandatory for SaaS solutions, the role it plays in securing utility data is a necessity. This certification confirms that we continuously adopt best practices to prioritize security for our customers and minimize threats wherever possible.
Another facet of our SaaS offering is the cloud-hosting platform we use: Amazon Web Services (AWS). It delivers the most flexible and secure cloud-computing environment available today. The network is specifically designed to protect information, identities, applications and devices from potential threats, offering these key benefits:
Using AWS as our cloud-hosting platform provides us with the tools to prevent, detect, respond and remediate possible security threats as they arise to protect our customers’ crucial data.
As a final means of supporting data security, we encourage utilities to develop and maintain their own internal strategies, including:
By committing to the highest level of security with our SaaS offering, utility data is protected to the highest degree. Utilities are empowered to share as little or as much information as they’d like based on individual preferences.
Whether you have existing security concerns or would like to take preventive security measures, consider an upgrade to cellular AMI with BEACON® SaaS.Advanced security measures are just the tipping point of our smart water solution—discover more benefits including how an upgrade now can help your utility today and well into the future.
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Our extensive global network of distributors is ready to serve you in your local language at your time zone.