Data security is critical for organizations using business intelligence tools like Power BI to drive decision-making. But with the increasing need for the automated generation and distribution of reports, sensitive information isn’t just important—it’s non-negotiable.
In a recent study by Cisco, 94% of organizations reported they would reduce, or even stop, interacting with those organizations if their data was not adequately secured; this translates to the need for robust data protection strategies. As a seamless automated PDF generation and distribution solution, BI Helper not only simplifies workflows but also ensures your data stays secure at every step, giving you peace of mind while you focus on turning insights into action.
This blog explores BI Helper's comprehensive security measures, answering key concerns about data access, cloud infrastructure, payment security, and compliance standards. With BI Helper, you can rest assured that your reports are secure from generation to delivery.
Table of Contents
- Why Is Data Security Crucial for Automated Reporting?
- Does BI Helper Access and Store My Data?
- How Does BI Helper Filter Reports Without Full Data Access?
- Does BI Helper Operate in the Cloud?
- What Compliance Standards Does BI Helper Meet?
- How Does BI Helper Ensure Payment and Account Security?
- How Does BI Helper Handle Secure Email Distribution?
- DMARC Compliance for Authentication
- TLS Encryption for Data Transmission
- S/MIME and PGP for Advanced Encryption
- Case Studies: BI Helper’s Security in Action
- Financial Reporting for 1Path
- Automated Inventory Updates for Nicholaisen
- BI Helper’s Security Features at a Glance
- Secure Reporting Simplified
- FAQs
Why Is Data Security Crucial for Automated Reporting?
Financial losses and data breaches can provoke serious financial penalties, reputation damage, and disruption of business processes, disrupting continuity which would be undermining. Non-compliance with such security standards like SOC 2 or HIPAA can lead to violations resulting in lawsuits and financial liability against organizations.
Beyond the loss of money, security failures can further compromise stakeholder and customer confidence when the protection of information exposed becomes something that is increasingly expected. A single breach or lapse of security in handling data can damage relationships and damage the credibility of an organization.
In response to these critical challenges, BI Helper's infrastructure and workflows have been designed carefully to ensure the security of data at each stage, handling all sensitive information with maximum care and security.
Does BI Helper Access and Store My Data?
BI Helper prioritizes minimal data retention to protect user privacy. Here’s how data is handled:
- Standard License: No data is stored. All PDFs are automatically deleted once reports are generated and emails are sent.
- Premium and Enterprise Licenses: PDFs get cached in the SFTP server and users can access them for a specific period that's predefined as well (5 days). The data gets encrypted to AES 256 standards. Only authenticated users are granted access.
This ensures data is secure even when it is in temporary storage.
How Does BI Helper Filter Reports Without Full Data Access?
BI Helper provides a seamless and secure way to customize reports by leveraging dynamic filters and slicers, ensuring users can generate tailored insights without requiring unrestricted access to raw datasets. This is achieved through its robust OAuth2 integration, which allows the system to fetch only the specific data needed for a particular report.
To safeguard sensitive information, OAuth2 tokens are encrypted using the industry-standard AES 256 protocol and are decrypted solely during job execution, providing an additional layer of security against unauthorized access.
A key feature of BI Helper is its reliance on transient servers for report generation. These temporary servers are only created for the time needed to do the processing task and are removed once the job is done. This ensures that no leftover data is kept or left unsafe on the system.
BI Helper will also filter reports automatically according to specific user requirements. By making reports specific to each user, not only is the information more relevant, but the shared data becomes reduced, and only that which is required is provided. This careful mix of customization and safety makes BI Helper indispensable for any organization looking for efficient reporting solutions that are secure and pleasant to use.
Does BI Helper Operate in the Cloud?
Yes, it does work safely on AWS cloud infrastructure using rigorous security rules and compliance steps so that data can be handled securely.
The platform is hosted in a special Virtual Private Cloud (VPC). This keeps resources separate from public networks and puts important databases and services in private areas protecting them from unauthorized access.
BI Helper employs continuous monitoring and alert systems to maintain optimal security standards. All infrastructure components have been validated to adhere to best practices using AWS Security Hub. Guard Duty detects and alerts on unauthorized access attempts. Malicious traffic is blocked by the web application firewall, which is an AWS WAF, ensuring proactive vulnerability management.
All interactions with BI Helper, from report distribution to API communications, are safeguarded through end-to-end encryption. TLS encryption protects data in transit, while stored files are encrypted with AES 256 encryption, providing an additional layer of security for sensitive information. These measures collectively ensure that BI Helper operates securely and efficiently in the cloud, meeting the needs of businesses requiring stringent data protection.
What Compliance Standards Does BI Helper Meet?
BI Helper adheres to globally recognized security and compliance standards:
- SOC 2 Compliance: BI Helper is subject to continuous SOC 2 audits to verify its application controls of security, availability, and confidentiality. This will ensure that BI Helper meets very high standards expected from our enterprise clients.
- HIPAA Compliance: For healthcare organizations, BI Helper executes Business Associate Agreements (BAAs) to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations. Sensitive health information is managed with the utmost care, meeting all necessary safeguards.
Clients can request the latest compliance reports via support@bihelper.tech.
How Does BI Helper Ensure Payment and Account Security?
BI Helper incorporates multiple layers of security to protect user credentials and payment information:
- Multi-Factor Authentication(MFA): This ensures that no unauthorized access will be granted to the platform.
- Payment Processing: All payment transactions are covered by PCI-compliant third-party providers, ensuring proper handling of sensitive financial data.
- Session Security: BI Helper uses cookie theft protection to authenticate each session login, preventing unauthorized access.
How Does BI Helper Handle Secure Email Distribution?
Report distribution via email is a critical component of automated workflows. BI Helper uses Amazon Simple Email Service (SES) to ensure secure and reliable email delivery:
1. DMARC Compliance
BI Helper provides its clients with the ability to configure branded sending domains. This helps centralize "From" and "Mail From" domains while both increasing email deliverability and ensuring that there is no more "sent via amazonses.com" disclaimer that gives a professional look and feel. Also, authentication protocols like SPF and DKIM protect against email spoofing, ensuring that the origin of outgoing mail is legitimate.
2. TLS Encryption
To safeguard email transmissions, BI Helper employs opportunistic TLS encryption by default. This ensures that emails are encrypted whenever possible during transmission. For enterprise users with stricter security requirements, mandatory TLS can be enforced, guaranteeing encryption for all outgoing messages and maintaining the confidentiality of sensitive information.
3.S/MIME and PGP Options
BI Helper supports advanced encryption methods such as S/MIME and PGP for securely delivering highly sensitive reports. These methods ensure that only the intended recipients with the appropriate decryption keys can access the contents of the emails, offering an additional layer of protection for confidential communications.
Case Study: BI Helper’s Security in Action
Financial Reporting for 1Path
1Path, a leading IT solutions provider, implemented BI Helper to streamline financial reporting. With sensitive client data at stake, BI Helper’s SOC 2 compliance and data retention policies ensured complete security during report generation and distribution.
- Reports were generated and emailed using AES 256 encryption, meeting stringent client requirements.
- The process reduced manual effort by 40%, allowing the team to focus on data analysis.
Automated Inventory Updates for Nicholaisen
Nicholaisen, a supply chain management company, needed automated inventory reports. With AWS VPC hosting, BI Helper provided a secure environment for processing and delivering daily inventory updates.
- Automated workflows minimized data exposure while delivering customized reports to multiple stakeholders.
BI Helper’s Security Features at a Glance
Category
Features
Application Security
OAuth2, MFA, Cookie Theft Protection, CSRF Protection, SSL Certification
Infrastructure Security
AWS VPC, private subnets, Guard Duty, Security Hub, and WAF monitoring
Data Encryption
AES 256 encryption for storage, client-configured keys for additional security
Email Security
DMARC compliance, TLS encryption, S/MIME, and PGP email options
Compliance Standards
SOC 2, HIPAA compliance, AWS Cloud adherence
Secure Reporting Simplified
BI Helper is not just a tool for automating Power BI report generation; it’s a secure, compliant platform that ensures your data is protected every step of the way. With its cloud-first architecture, encryption protocols, and adherence to global security standards, BI Helper empowers organizations to automate workflows without compromising on data security.
Ready to secure your reporting processes? Explore Pricing Options and start your journey with BI Helper today.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does BI Helper Store My Data?
No, BI Helper deletes all generated PDFs immediately after distribution for Standard License users. Premium and Enterprise users can configure temporary storage with strict encryption.
2. How Does BI Helper Work in the Cloud?
BI Helper runs on AWS Cloud Infrastructure within a dedicated VPC. Private subnets and 24/7 monitoring ensure complete isolation and protection.
3. Are Emails Sent Through BI Helper Secure?
Yes, BI Helper emails are secured with TLS encryption by default, and enterprise users can opt for additional protections like S/MIME or PGP encryption.
4. How Can I Learn More About BI Helper’s Security?
Visit our Information Security Guide or contact support@bihelper.tech for detailed reports on SOC 2 compliance and application security.
