PGP and Security Matters
Sterling Offshore understands the importance of privacy and security regarding both communications and storage of sensitive information. Accordingly, Sterling Offshore employs state of the art technology at every level to ensure that our clients receive the utmost in privacy and security. Clients and prospective clients are guaranteed that every conceivable step is being taken to ensure that communications and information are confidential and secure when dealing with Sterling Offshore.Website/Hosting
Servers: The Sterling Offshore website is hosted offsite on co-located, dedicated SSL enabled servers. This ensures a fast loading, secure, and reliable internet website for our customers.
Secure Login: All professional clients will receive a username and password for access to our secure ordering system. The secure ordering system utilizes a 128 SSL encrypted connection to ensure that any sensitive information being transmitted remains secure and private.
Live Support: We utilize a third party provider with 256-bit SSL encryption all hosted on secure servers in an offshore privacy jurisdiction to ensure confidentiality between Sterling Offshore and the customer with whom we are consulting.
Office Network
Hardware
Firewall: Sterling Offshore utilizes a hardware firewall as a first point of defense against any unwanted attempts to hack into our computer network.
Computers: All computers are new models with 64 bit processors for maximum encryption capabilities and security.
Software
Operating Systems: All computers are running Windows XP Professional with password protected startup to deny any unwelcome users access to the contents.
Firewall: All computers on the office network are installed with third party software firewalls restricting access to only those programs known to be safe.
Malware/Spyware: All computers are running third party anti-malware programs for real time protection against “root kits” and other unwanted privacy invasive items.
Anti-Virus: All computers are running well known professional anti-virus programs for real time virus protection and are scanned daily.
Maintenance: All computers run a variety of programs to maintain the integrity of the operating systems and to remove any unwanted items which may have made it past the various firewalls and defensive programs.
Communications
Email: The preferred method of communication between Sterling Offshore and its clients is email due to the ability to encrypt messages and maintain records. We use industry standard open source PGP (Pretty Good Protection) encryption. Please visit PGP.org for further information on PGP.
Voice: Voice communications may be conducted by telephone; however, due to the relatively insecure nature of traditional telephone calls, we prefer not to accept orders or deliver any sensitive information over the telephone. We recommend the use of an encrypted peer to peer program such as Skype. Skype utilizes a 256 bit advanced encryption standard that delivers a clear, secure and free solution to users. This requires a relatively fast broadband connection and relatively uncongested network from peer to peer for maximum clarity. Connecting from two points on opposite sides of the world can make this tricky. In such cases, our secure, encrypted "Live Chat" feature, the Instant Messaging function of Skype or traditional email is the best option.
Instant Messaging: With the burgeoning list of Instant Messaging Clients out there, we needed to narrow the list to just two for practical purposes.. Sterling Offshore uses "Live Chat" from Provide Support for its website communications. We also use Skype for this function due to its versatility, universal popularity and encryption capabilities. Similar to the voice encryption offered by Skype, instant messages are also encrypted using their proprietary 256 bit standard.
Information Storage
Sterling Offshore utilizes a real time backup of all email and sensitive files through an encrypted 128 SSL connection to a password protected offsite server. The files being stored are themselves encrypted for even more security. The real time backup uploads any changes to existing files as well as any additions to the specified folders to the offsite server. The offsite server is itself backed up to another offsite location specializing in this type of service.
Conclusion
What does this all mean? This means that Sterling Offshore takes your privacy and the security of your sensitive information seriously. We pay attention to detail. Hopefully, this is one more way that potential clients will see how Sterling Offshore conducts business; further differentiating us from the “assembly line” model offshore incorporation mills. We are happy to offer basic guidance to assist you with your IT security as well. After all, it does no good for us to have all of this in place if you are not following similar practices on your end. Similarly, we will accept any additional suggestions and/or requirements from clients in order to better meet your specific privacy needs.