Security Practices and Data Protection

Our Commitment to Security

At Swish Appraisal, we understand that your appraisal data is highly sensitive and confidential. We are committed to implementing industry-leading security measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. This document outlines our comprehensive security practices and data protection measures.

Data Encryption

Encryption in Transit

All data transmitted between your device and our servers is protected using:

• TLS 1.3 (Transport Layer Security) protocol
• 256-bit encryption for all connections
• Perfect Forward Secrecy to protect past sessions
• HSTS (HTTP Strict Transport Security) to prevent downgrade attacks
• Certificate pinning for mobile applications

Encryption at Rest

All stored data is encrypted using:

• AES-256 encryption for all databases and file storage
• Encrypted backups with separate encryption keys
• Field-level encryption for highly sensitive data (e.g., payment information)
• Encrypted disk volumes on all servers
• Secure key management using hardware security modules (HSMs)

Infrastructure Security

Cloud Infrastructure

Our services are hosted on enterprise-grade cloud infrastructure:

• SOC 2 Type II certified cloud providers (AWS/Google Cloud/Azure)
• Multi-region redundancy for high availability
• Automatic failover and disaster recovery systems
• Distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) protection
• Web application firewall (WAF) to prevent common attacks
• Intrusion detection and prevention systems (IDS/IPS)

Network Security

We implement multiple layers of network security:

• Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) isolation
• Network segmentation and access control lists
• Private subnets for sensitive operations
• Firewall rules limiting inbound and outbound traffic
• Regular network security audits and penetration testing

Access Controls

User Authentication

We require strong authentication for all user accounts:

• Multi-factor authentication (MFA) available and encouraged
• Strong password requirements with complexity rules
• Password hashing using bcrypt with unique salts
• Account lockout after failed login attempts
• Session management with secure cookies and timeout policies
• Single sign-on (SSO) integration available for enterprise customers

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Access to data and features is controlled based on user roles and permissions, ensuring users only have access to the information necessary for their work.

Internal Access Controls

Access to production systems by Swish Appraisal employees is strictly controlled:

• Principle of least privilege - employees have minimum necessary access
• Multi-factor authentication required for all internal systems
• Comprehensive audit logging of all administrative actions
• Regular access reviews and recertification
• Immediate revocation of access upon employment termination
• Background checks for all employees with data access

Application Security

Secure Development Practices

Our development process incorporates security at every stage:

• Security training for all developers
• Secure coding standards and guidelines
• Code reviews with security focus
• Static application security testing (SAST)
• Dynamic application security testing (DAST)
• Software composition analysis for third-party dependencies
• Regular security updates and patch management

Input Validation and Sanitization

We protect against common web vulnerabilities:

• Input validation on all user-supplied data
• Protection against SQL injection attacks
• Cross-site scripting (XSS) prevention
• Cross-site request forgery (CSRF) protection
• Content Security Policy (CSP) headers
• Rate limiting to prevent abuse

Data Backup and Recovery

We maintain comprehensive backup and disaster recovery procedures:

• Automated daily backups of all production data
• Encrypted backups stored in geographically diverse locations
• Point-in-time recovery capability
• Regular backup restoration testing
• Documented disaster recovery plan with defined RTOs and RPOs
• Annual disaster recovery drills

Monitoring and Logging

Security Monitoring

We maintain 24/7 security monitoring:

• Real-time security event monitoring and alerting
• Automated threat detection and response
• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) system
• File integrity monitoring
• Anomaly detection for unusual access patterns
• Security operations center (SOC) monitoring

Audit Logging

Comprehensive logs are maintained for security and compliance:

• All authentication events and access attempts
• Data access and modification events
• Administrative actions and configuration changes
• Logs retained for minimum of one year
• Tamper-proof log storage
• Regular log review and analysis

Vulnerability Management

We proactively identify and remediate security vulnerabilities:

• Regular vulnerability scanning of all systems
• Annual third-party penetration testing
• Responsible disclosure program for security researchers
• Defined SLAs for vulnerability remediation based on severity
• Automated patch management for critical security updates
• Security advisories communicated to affected customers

Incident Response

We maintain a formal incident response plan:

• Dedicated security incident response team
• 24/7 incident response capability
• Defined procedures for detection, containment, and remediation
• Customer notification protocols for security incidents
• Post-incident analysis and lessons learned
• Coordination with law enforcement when appropriate

Compliance and Certifications

We adhere to industry standards and best practices:

• SOC 2 Type II certification (in progress)
• OWASP Top 10 mitigation
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework alignment
• Regular security audits by independent third parties
• Compliance with data protection regulations (GDPR, CCPA)
• Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) for payment processing

Third-Party Security

We carefully vet all third-party service providers:

• Security assessments of all vendors with data access
• Contractual security and confidentiality requirements
• Regular vendor security reviews
• Data processing agreements in place
• Vendor access monitoring and logging

Physical Security

Our data centers maintain strict physical security:

• 24/7 security personnel and video surveillance
• Biometric access controls
• Environmental controls (temperature, humidity, fire suppression)
• Redundant power supplies and network connectivity
• Secure media destruction procedures

Employee Security

Our employees are a critical part of our security posture:

• Background checks for employees with data access
• Mandatory security awareness training upon hire and annually
• Confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements
• Clean desk and screen lock policies
• Secure device management and mobile device policies
• Regular phishing simulation exercises

Your Security Responsibilities

While we implement comprehensive security measures, your cooperation is essential:

• Use strong, unique passwords for your account
• Enable multi-factor authentication
• Keep your credentials confidential and do not share accounts
• Log out of your account when using shared devices
• Keep your contact information up to date
• Report any suspicious activity or security concerns immediately
• Regularly review your account activity
• Maintain security on your own devices and networks

Reporting Security Issues

If you discover a security vulnerability or have security concerns, please report them immediately:

Continuous Improvement

Security is an ongoing process. We regularly review and update our security practices to address emerging threats and incorporate new technologies. We welcome feedback from our users on how we can further improve our security posture.

Questions

If you have questions about our security practices, please contact us: