DOCUMENT PROTECTION ARCHITECTURE

We are pleased to report that our outside auditor has recently completed and issued a SSAE 16, Service Organization Control 1 (SOC 1) Type 2 report on the effectiveness of DataServ’s procedures and environment. Learn more about the AICPA guidelines for SSAE 16 by clicking on the document to the right.
 

Because our clients depend on DataServ for real-time processing of time-sensitive and confidential finance and human resource documents, the DataServ philosophy centers on prevention of document/data loss and minimization of downtime. We take responsibility for managing the Full Document Lifecycle on behalf of our clients. As such we have architected a robust, redundant, seamless system as well as processes and data center operations for capturing, archiving, and destruction.

Overview

DataServ’s server systems reside in two locations; the primary data center in our state-of-the-art co-location facility and the satellite data center housed nearby in our St. Louis headquarters. This architecture allows DataServ to provide its Internet delivered services independently from each of its data center locations. The co-location Data Center provides these benefits:
 

• Unlimited Internet bandwidth
• Multiple, redundant generators including Onan 500KW generator w/850 gallon diesel fuel capacity
• Increased physical security via video monitoring and CAMDEX scan card system
• Fire suppression system using dry pipe pre-action and FM-200
• Partnered with Global data center service provider XO Communications
• Connect directly to the XO global network hub
• OnNet Node Facility (eliminates middle providers ensuring faster and more reliable web service)
• Employ two Internet Service Providers providing instant failover
   

DataServ has complete redundancy for Internet access and electrical power and will continue to provide the current three-tiered storage program for their Clients, including a permanent Write Once Read Many (WORM) storage layer as required by SEC and HIPAA regulations.

DataServ Document Storage Architecture

DataServ’s document storage solution is a comprehensive, fully redundant, multi-layered data storage hierarchy designed to achieve the highest levels of protection and security as well as the ability to meet any individual client’s regulatory requirements utilizing the primary storage array.

This array is replicated in real-time to a local secondary SATA2 storage array. As new or changed files are written to the secondary array these files are replicated to an off-site EMC Centera WORM storage RAIN (redundant array of independent nodes). The Centera is a highly intelligent storage platform which dynamically and intelligently stores data in a content addressable matrix. Security and retention requirements are assigned individually to each client space and sub-space.

As files are altered by clients through the DataServ user interface, the changes to content are stored intelligently as either completely new files, or as addressable content. This allows the ability to revert to a document in its prior state. DataServ accomplishes this by using a combination of proprietary software developed by DataServ, EMC storage life cycle management software, and the advanced intelligent storage capabilities of the EMC Centera storage array.

This architecture ensures that a client’s data exists in three fully separate disk arrays at any time as well as existing in two physically separate data centers each with its own independent path to the Internet.

Logical diagram of DataServ's unique physical storage architecture:


Operating System and Database Protection/Recovery

DataServ uses a number of technologies to achieve a comprehensive data and systems recovery solution. This includes a disk-to-disk multi-tiered multi-location enterprise backup solution as well as volume and folder replication technologies, and disk imaging technology.

Server systems which hold operating systems, applications, and databases are backed up directly to local spinning disk no less frequently than once per 24 hour cycle via EMC’s Legato Networker which is an industry-leading enterprise backup and recovery solution.

Critical operating systems and application backups are replicated to our satellite data center and also to spinning disk storage no less frequently than once per seven day cycle. Client data is replicated off site in real time via a multi-tiered data life cycle hierarchy solution which is addressed in detail in a separate section of this page.

EMC Legato Networker’s disk-to-disk backups allow for extremely rapid recovery of data and systems. DataServ’s catastrophic systems recovery procedure involves a combination of image based Operating Systems recovery, EMC Legato Networker bare metal restore capability, and virtual server technology.

Data Protection Road Map

Because Contingency Planning is a constantly evolving science and improvements are made every day, DataServ continuously reviews, updates, revises and tests its Disaster Recovery procedures. We submit to annual SSAE16 Type II audits of our processing procedures and systems to ensure that operations are following the standards of this architecture. A cross-functional DataServ team meets annually to evaluate and update this architecture as well as the procedures and technologies employed within this Document Protection Architecture.

Because DataServ is Software as a Service (SaaS), these enhancements as well as all testing and maintenance are made at no charge to our clients.