The SOC 2 Type II certification that Spectra holds is critical in demonstrating that the company provides high levels of data security. Organizations that need a partner to help print and distribute materials to individuals want to know that the data security measures at that partner’s facility are in line with best practices. 

One of the main differences between Type I and Type II certification is that Type I certification is based on a one-time audit, which provides a snapshot of the organization’s data security at one moment in time. Type II certification is ongoing, with audits taking place on a routine basis. At Spectra, our clients value this certification, as it indicates that Spectra is continually following best practices without leaving gaps in protection.

A major component of SOC 2 Type II certification is penetration testing, through which an auditor uses a number of different methods to measure the strength of the organization’s data security protocols. Spectra’s most recent penetration test (usually referred to as a “pen test” in the industry) took place in December 2023 and concluded that Spectra is doing an excellent job protecting client data from accidental exposure and deliberate hacking attempts.

Two-Part Testing

Spectra’s pen test consisted of two categories of activities. First, the auditors used common methods to attempt to break into Spectra’s network. If hackers are able to get past the network’s firewall and access the information stored on the company’s servers, they could download many different types of data related to Spectra’s clients. These include customer lists that could potentially contain addresses, phone numbers, emails, and even patient health information that is protected by HIPAA.

Through several days of executing attempts of various kinds to get through the defenses around Spectra’s networks, the auditors did not uncover any vulnerabilities. This demonstrates that Spectra’s data security managers are doing a good job keeping firewalls and other defense systems up to date and alert to any unauthorized attempts to access the network.

Public Security Threats

Another avenue of penetration testing is searching publicly available sources on the Internet for any information that could give hackers a tool for getting into Spectra’s networks by more subtle means. Rather than looking for cracks in the network’s firewall and getting through directly, often hackers try to impersonate an employee or other user who has legitimate access to the network. 

To assess this type of risk, auditors scour the Internet to find out whether employees, friends or family, or anyone else associated with the company may have posted content that would give them an opportunity to impersonate an authorized user. A simple example of this would be an employee publishing their email address and/or password on a social media post. While this would be an obvious breach of security, many times people post information without realizing it could jeopardize their company’s security.

For example, hackers are experts at pulling individual pieces of information from different sources and combining them to create an opportunity. An employee’s name, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, and home address may not all be posted in the same place, but if they can be gathered from different sources and combined, they could be the start of a successful attack on the employee’s company.

In Spectra’s case, auditors did not discover these types of information “floating around” in the public arena, confirming that the team members at Spectra understand what types of information are safe to publish on social media, personal websites, and other domains, and what types are not. Spectra’s leadership team is very thankful for the confirmation that data security awareness is top of mind for employees, and that hackers are not likely to find any information to help them sneak past the security systems currently in place.

Ongoing Security Measures

A single successful pen test does not guarantee data security permanently–the nature of SOC 2 Type II certification demands that other tests will take place on a regular basis. Spectra’s data security personnel are constantly monitoring the landscape of data security, which is shifting in today’s world with the incorporation of AI and other new factors. Spectra plans to be ready for the next audit to demonstrate that the company is still maintaining the same high level of security on behalf of its clients.

HIPAA Compliance

HIPAA compliance is another data security topic that often appears alongside SOC 2 Type II certification, but applies in a slightly different way. It is in relation specifically to patients’ personal and health information, which are protected by federal law. Organizations such as Spectra that work with this sensitive information must follow certain protocols to make sure that information is not exposed to view by unauthorized users.

Spectra is proud to maintain HIPAA compliance in its print and distribution activities, and our print facility is fully equipped to handle mailings for healthcare organizations, insurance providers, and other clients that are governed by HIPAA regulations.

An Ideal Partner For Print

Spectra offers an experienced team, an advanced print facility, and a commitment to data security that combine to make it a great choice for any organization looking for an ongoing print and distribution partner. Our process offers pressure seal mailing, security window envelopes, and other options that keep the information of customers, members, and policy holders concealed from view until documents arrive in the mailbox of the intended recipient. Internal quality checks at multiple stages minimize the risk of documents being sent to the wrong addresses, with measures such as serial numbers and barcoding used as standard practice.

Spectra’s team is happy to discuss data security with potential clients and introduce them to the range of valuable print services available. Case studies and more information are available at spectraintegration.com, as well as information about integrated print and fulfillment services. With an expertly staffed, climate controlled fulfillment facility, Spectra offers value to clients requiring both print and fulfillment services by giving them management of both aspects by the same expert team.