Questions To Ask Potential Partners Implementing Content Management Systems That Utilize Cloud Compu

By Author: Dave Ruschel
Total Articles: 5
Comment this article

When you are looking for a partner to implement an ECM solution for you, there questions you need to find answers for from all potential partners before you consider any of them.

When you are looking for a partner to implement an ECM solution for you, there questions you need to find answers for from all potential partners before you consider any of them. Cloud computing has a lot to do with security and storage features which need to be analyzed.

Does the partner provide reliable security features?

When we talk of reliability the software provides in terms of security, it basically means that the document management system should make it possible for its administrators to incorporate their own security policies. Features such as user passwords, encryption, account lockout, and session timeout are must haves for one to even consider implementing such a document management system. However, there are additional features that may be included which boost security in a cloud computing environment. These may include a limiting IP address which basically prevents access to data from unauthorized locations by specifying ...
... unique identifiers, and a functional-level verification which grants access to information after verifying the request or command at each application function.

Are private documents transmitted and stored safely on Internet?

Without encryption, cloud computing is not safe at all. Cloud based content management systems transmit highly confidential information. The document management system should at least utilize SSL(Secure Sockets Layer) to encrypt all documents as they are being transmitted via the Internet. Furthermore, encryption of data during storage is equally important using cloud computing. This is why the document management system should utilize the latest technologies to achieve stronger types of encryption.

Does the design of the ECM system jeopardize its security?

We all know that cloud computing can be insecure if and when certain measures are not put in place. On this note it is worth mentioning that there are some designs of document management systems that tend to expose the surety of information accessed via the system. For instance, if the web servers are the same ones used to access databases in the same secured network, then security can be compromised big time. To curb this, application servers in a completely separate secured network are the best to be given that direct access to such databases and storage locations. This split, adds on an extra layer of security for the cloud computing system to be relatively safe.

Is the partner sharing its own corporate network with customers?

There are instances whereby a document management system provider, in order to cater for the high demand, utilizes their own corporate network to serve their clients. There should be completely no connection between the partner’s network and your own since cloud computing is normally safer when using a closed network. There is no reason why you should trust the partner’s corporate network .it is better to have your own network since no outbound communication will be allowed meaning that the chances of having an attacker accessing the network via traffic rom outbound communication will be minimized.

You may also want to find out if you are dealing directly with the services provider or just an outsourcing company. Outsourcing ECM solutions is not advisable.
Resource: https://www.lockpickwinkel.nl/lockpick-set/