Security requirements for RSI providers

As a term, security resembles protection from crimes against individuals, groups of people, organizations, or even countries. And while it is pretty easy to understand how physical security works, online security often requires further explanation.

On the Internet, we can understand security from a few perspectives. As individuals, we should follow specific rules and take responsible actions to ensure that we are safe in the virtual space. At the same time, service providers must implement security measures to safeguard their online customers' security.

Today, we’ll look into the security requirements for remote businesses and explain what’s necessary for remote simultaneous interpretation providers to maintain top-notch platform safety. Let’s get right into it! 

Why is security necessary in the virtual space?

Well, the straightforward answer is that crimes on the Internet happen just as much as they happen in real life. Often, end-users might not even know that someone committed a crime against them and, for example, stole personal information. Online criminals usually target various service providers, thus silently affecting all clients.

According to CyberEdge's Cyberthreat Defense Report, 87% of the surveyed organizations have suffered at least one successful cyberattack. Thus, it’s apparent that organizations still lack security measures and need to pay more attention to security program implementation.

For us, individuals, it doesn't always seem like online security breaches affect us. However, that is a widespread misconception. Many of those attacks are personal data breaches, and in 2021 alone, at least 281.5 million people have suffered from cyberattacks.

Lately, cyberattacks have become one of the most common types of crimes. Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, communication and services have shifted online more than ever. At the same time, recent technological advancements, increasing internet speed, high-quality video, and other on-demand features have made us more susceptible to online crimes.

Events have shifted to the virtual space 

Let's take online events as an example: you have to buy tickets online, provide your personal information, download specific software, and communicate virtually. Meaning, event organizers and remote video-conferencing platforms are not immune to cyberattacks.

The online events industry and increasing globalization rates led to a rise in multilingual meetings. Remote simultaneous interpretation providers are still relatively new, so implementing security measures should become one of the main priorities. 

Security in online events with remote simultaneous interpretation (RSI) is a must 

Remote simultaneous interpretation is the most advanced way to break language barriers in virtual meetings. In other words, it is a process of transforming the spoken or signed speech from a source language to many different languages of your audience's choice.

Remote interpreting services are essential for event participants who don't speak the same language as the speakers. Since most online events are held in English, even people with limited English skills can now speak to each other and enjoy meaningful communication.

We’ve covered this process in detail in our remote simultaneous interpretation guide.

Why is it crucial to ensure the security of remote simultaneous interpretation services?

Remote interpreting enables people to join an event remotely, but it doesn't restrict people from receiving interpretation at the venue as well. Like the participants, there are both on-site interpreters and remote interpreters, and they all have to use the same RSI software.

It’s essential to protect both customers and employees. RSI providers now implement security measures to ensure that remote interpreters and their data are safe, too: this is the only way for top-notch interpretation services.

Requirements for secure remote interpreting

Since remote events have only become prominent over the past few years, there aren't a lot of formal requirements established for providers. RSI providers are currently collaborating with cybersecurity specialists to ensure what's needed to protect all customers.

Make cybersecurity a priority for RSI platforms

Personal data is the most treasured item in the virtual world. RSI providers who seek to be secure have to establish a particular mindset: they not only have to talk about data privacy, its protection, and the immense significance it holds but also set it as an actual priority.

The focus on adding new features should always go in line with security advancements.

Levels of cybersecurity attacks

There are three key levels of a cybersecurity attack: 

• Humans. We can look at the human level from a straightforward perspective – anyone who joins a remote meeting is capable of committing a cyberattack. Thus, RSI providers should ensure that only approved and qualified participants can access the event.
• Networks. Cybersecurity professionals often mention another – network level. It means that RSI providers have to take care of their internal resources, such as the equipment they use to connect to the events. Implementing regular check-ups is just one of the possible ways to take care of your internal network.
• Applications. This level is all about secure connections. For instance, RSI providers must store all the data in safe environments – even if it is just information about the length of the meeting.

Implement third-party security audits

Third-party audits are regular check-ups on your company’s technology performance. They can help you understand where your organization is standing in terms of infrastructure and lower related business risks:

• Data security. Third-party audit specialists evaluate technology according to three main criteria: integrity, availability, and security. These audits can help identify and fill in the gaps within your company network, ensuring sensitive data protection. 
• IT-related risks. No matter how sophisticated an IT system is, it’s still subject to vulnerability threats – hardware, software, or procedure shortcomings that could lead to system damage or destruction. Third-party audits check the equipment with which business is working, thus mitigating the risk of any potential threats. 
• Infrastructure disruptions. Damages made to the system can result in losing control over some applications and functionalities. Third-party security audits are able to assess such risks and enhance the control of your infrastructure.

Follow industry standards for secure RSI platforms

International Organization for Standardization (ISO) works to meet the needs of the international community. Many working groups meet and work to create a standard for quality, whether for top interpreting services or security measures.

An ISO certificate means that a third-party organization ensures that a company follows specific rules and adheres to the required processes. In the case of RSI platforms, seek an ISO 27001 certified video-meeting platform.

According to its documentation, ISO 27001 seeks to provide a model for establishing, implementing, operating, monitoring, reviewing, maintaining, and improving an information security management system.

Ensure excellent data protection processes

You can quickly understand the security level of the RSI provider by its data protection processes. Some of the significant aspects regarding security include:

• Having a Data Protection Officer (DPO). A DPO position in a company shows that there is a person or a team dedicated to data protection in their business.
• Storing data in secure environments. Service providers should describe what kind of data they store, how much time they hold it, and where the data centers are.
• Using the latest versions of software. This is not only a requirement for the RSI providers themselves but also for the customers. You have to take responsibility for keeping your software up-to-date.

Final words on security

Shifting events online has increased the number of cyberattacks, pushing RSI providers to reconsider their safety measures and keep security at the top of their priorities list. 

Implementation of regular security audits, compliance to industry standards, and application of necessary data protection processes are a few of the steps that must be taken to ensure the security of technology, platform, and, of course, customers. 

We also explained how we protect our customers’ data on our blog post.