Cybersecurity is one of the major challenges facing companies today. The issue has been present for some time, but was thrown into sharp relief when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The number of high-profile cyberattacks impacting the general public has risen dramatically, and terms like “ransomware” – formerly the reserve of cybersecurity nerds – are now gaining widespread attention.
For obvious reasons, having confidential documents professionally translated comes with a number of potential security risks. As a general rule, two linguists are involved per target language, each with their own devices – often located in different countries. Then there’s the project management stage at the translation agency itself. When it comes to projects with multiple target languages, documents can rapidly be passed between dozens of servers on multiple continents, and downloaded and uploaded countless times.
As a result, it’s important that Supertext’s clients can rely on stable system architecture and a dependable digital risk management system.
Systematic secrecy
The ISO 27001 certification from the Swiss Safety Center guarantees that Supertext’s information management system adheres to the highest security standards. These include, among other things:
- A risk and incident management procedure with clear responsibilities and processes, which is continually optimized by a dedicated IT security team.
- Categorization of all projects by confidentiality level. The greater the potential consequences should confidentiality be breached, the more secure the translation process. Security measures range from restricted access within the Supertext system to the use of select linguists based in specific countries.
- Regular external penetration tests and vulnerability scans of the entire system to ensure any weaknesses are detected.
- Ongoing training and sensitization of staff in relation to security issues, in particular when it comes to recognizing critical content and advising clients accordingly.
- Comprehensive policies for colleagues both inside and outside of Supertext, including non-disclosure agreements and IT user agreements. This also includes checking criminal records. A strict visitor policy is also in place at all Supertext sites.
The ISO 27001 certification is in addition to Supertext’s existing ISO certifications: ISO 9001 for overall quality management, ISO 17100 for translation services and ISO 18587 for the post-editing of machine translations.
Encrypted and firewalled
In addition to its ISO-certified IT security management system, Supertext also meets the highest technological standards. The Supertext system and all of its projects run on state-of-the-art Microsoft data centers in Switzerland, the EU or the US. Clients have the option of choosing their preferred server location. All of Supertext’s communications use 256-bit encryption and multiple firewalls with packet filtering.
Supertext is also continually developing innovative new tools to give companies more control over their data. Among these is MT+, a high-end machine translation tool used throughout Supertext. MT+ prevents information about clients’ everyday business ending up in the databases of free (and often high-risk) online translation providers – and improves the quality of the translation output, to boot.
Supertext is expanding the tools it offers all the time, in accordance with client requirements. Its team of in-house developers is able to meet the individual needs of security-conscious clients quickly and flexibly.
“We speak over 100 languages. And know how to keep quiet in them, too.”
Patricia Kamer, Chief Information Officer at Supertext and project manager for the ISO 27001 certification, is delighted to see the company’s first-class system architecture given the official seal of approval:
“Cybersecurity is the hot topic of the moment. Thanks to our ISO 27001 certification, clients have one less thing on their minds and can rest assured that we have all the potential security risks under control.”
The official certification covers the translation of high-security client documents stored in Switzerland. The technical systems mentioned are in place across all Supertext sites, however.
Cover image via iStock