Data Security
This page details some aspects of security in connection with business practices. It is divided into the following sections:
- security measures that we apply on your behalf;
- security measures that you should be aware of in connection with your data;
- copyright & trademark acknowledgements for this website.
Security measures that we apply on your behalf
Security of your information
Apart from an initial set of your real database entries (which we convert to fictitious values whilst retaining the same format as the original) we do not need to store, or have access to, any of your live data.
We achieve this by creating a local database for development purposes that is stored in a separate file from the Excel Application itself. When the Application is ready for delivery or is upgraded, we simply install it on the computer system at your site whereupon it starts to use your live database instead of our development database.
While we are engaged on a project for you, we will ensure that all files being worked on are backed-up to an external hard drive on a daily basis and, on a weekly basis, also to a CD, DVD or dedicated memory stick.
We also keep a copy of every installed version of your Application so that we can quickly reinstall it if your working version is accidentally deleted or becomes corrupt.
Code signing
For extra security, all our vba (macro) code is digitally ‘signed’ with a digital signature supplied by GlobalSign (the oldest Certification Authority in Europe).
Code signing is a process that is the virtual equivalent to shrink-wrapping CD-based software; the presence of the digital signature indicates that our software was legitimately created by CBO Solutions and that the code has not been tampered with since it was published and installed on your computer system.
For more information about GlobalSign, visit www.globalsign.co.uk (opens in a new window).
Virus checking
To make sure that all your work remains virus-free, we only use computers that have up-to-date antivirus software installed. We use NOD32 from ESET which is updated at least once a day to counter the latest threats.
For more information about NOD 32, visit www.eset.com (opens in a new window).
Shredding
To protect personal data and business information we shred any sensitive paperwork and CDs or DVDs that are no longer needed before disposing of them. We have a "confetti" shredder to make sure that they can't be reconstructed.
Unsolicited emails
We never, ever, divulge any email or personal information to any third party. This not only applies to data that you supply to us that is directly relevant to your company or business, it also applies to data that is contained in any spreadsheets or other documents that you make available to us.
Security measures that you should be aware of in connection with your data
Copyright
The Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, is the current UK copyright law. It gives the creators of written and artistic work (including books, software programs, web pages and music scores) the right to control how their work is used and reproduced.
To remind the reader that you are the author of a work, you should include a copyright statement at the front of a book or at the bottom of a web page (similar to that at the bottom of this page). The copyright statement should also be included as a comment within the HTML, CSS or JavaScript files of the website and on the document properties of Word and Excel files.
Although copyright is an automatic right of the author, if a third party infringes your copyright by misusing your work, proving your claim may be very difficult. One solution is to have the work registered by the UK Copyright Service, so that in the event of a dispute you have independently verifiable evidence that you are the copyright owner. However, you do have to pay for this service. The old idea of posting details of your work to yourself and using the postmark to prove the creation date will not stand up in a legal challenge.
For more information on copyright issues visit www.copyrightservice.co.uk (opens in a new window).
Data Protection Act 1998
This is designed "... to make new provision for the regulation of the processing of information relating to individuals, including the obtaining, holding, use or disclosure of such information". It regulates how personal information is used and protects others from misuse of their personal details.
It provides a set of rules, known as the Data Protection Principles, which prohibit the misuse of personal information without stopping it being used for legitimate or beneficial purposes.
The Principles require personal information to be:
- fairly and lawfully processed;
- processed for limited purposes;
- adequate, relevant and not excessive;
- accurate;
- not kept longer than necessary;
- processed in accordance with your rights;
- kept secure;
- not transferred abroad without adequate protection.
Organisations using personal information ('data controllers') must comply with these Principles.
The Act provides stronger protection for sensitive information about ethnic origins, political opinions, religious beliefs, trade union membership, health, sexual life and any criminal history.
It is enforced by an independent authority called the Information Commissioner. He has powers to take action against organisations that misuse personal information.
If you are a business or organisation who processes personal information on computer you may need to be on the register of data controllers maintained by the Information Commissioner. The annual notification fee is £35, on which no VAT is payable.
To find out whether you need to be registered under the Data Protection Act, telephone the Notification Department at the Information Commissioner's Office (telephone: 01625 545740) or consult the Information Commissioner's website www.ico.gov.uk (opens in a new window).
Copyright & trademark acknowledgements for this website
Copyright
Information appearing on this website is the copyright of Carruthers Back Office Solutions Limited (CBO Solutions) and must not be reproduced in any medium without licence. Carruthers Back Office Solutions Limited endeavours to ensure that the information is correct but does not accept any liability for error or omission.
Permission is granted by Carruthers Back Office Solutions Limited to electronically copy and to print in hard copy portions of this site for your own personal use as a decision-making tool, but we reserve all rights in and title to any proprietary information so copied. Any other use of materials on this site (including reproduction, modification, distribution, or re-publication) without the prior written consent of Carruthers Back Office Solutions Limited is strictly prohibited.
Trademarks
Microsoft®, Microsoft Excel®, Microsoft Word®; and any other Microsoft products referenced in this website are are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries.
Adobe® Acrobat®, Adobe® Reader® and the Adobe PDF logo are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.
Links to third party websites
This website contains links to websites maintained by other companies, individuals or agencies as a convenience to users. These linked sites are not under the control of Carruthers Back Office Solutions Limited, and we are not responsible for the accuracy of information on such sites. We do not monitor or review the content of such third party sites and therefore advise you that your access to and use of any such sites is at your own risk.