Security & Data Protection

1. Our Security Commitment

At Tax Notice Clarity, security isn't an afterthought—it's the foundation of everything we do. We understand that you're trusting us with your most sensitive financial documents, and we take that responsibility seriously.

This page details the comprehensive security measures we've implemented to protect your data, from the moment you upload a document to how we store and process your information.

2. Data Encryption

We use military-grade encryption to protect your documents and personal information at every stage:

Encryption in Transit

• TLS 1.3: All data transmission uses the latest Transport Layer Security protocol
• Perfect Forward Secrecy: Each session uses unique encryption keys
• Certificate Pinning: Prevents man-in-the-middle attacks
• HSTS: Enforces secure connections and prevents downgrade attacks

Encryption at Rest

• AES-256: Your documents are encrypted using Advanced Encryption Standard with 256-bit keys
• Unique Keys: Each document is encrypted with its own unique key
• Key Management: Encryption keys are managed separately from encrypted data
• Database Encryption: All database fields containing sensitive data are encrypted

3. Infrastructure Security

Our infrastructure is built on industry-leading cloud platforms with enterprise-grade security:

Cloud Security

• SOC 2 Type II Compliance: Our hosting providers maintain rigorous security certifications
• ISO 27001: International standard for information security management
• Physical Security: Data centers with biometric access, 24/7 monitoring, and security guards
• Geographic Distribution: Data replicated across multiple secure locations

Network Security

• Firewalls: Multiple layers of network firewalls protect our systems
• DDoS Protection: Advanced protection against distributed denial-of-service attacks
• Intrusion Detection: 24/7 monitoring for suspicious network activity
• VPC Isolation: Our services run in isolated virtual private clouds

Server Security

• Hardened Systems: Servers configured with minimal attack surface
• Regular Updates: Automatic security patches and updates
• Access Controls: Strict access controls and authentication requirements
• Monitoring: Continuous monitoring for security events and anomalies

4. Access Controls & Privacy

We implement strict controls to ensure only you can access your documents:

User Authentication

• Secure Password Requirements: Strong password policies with complexity requirements
• Password Hashing: Passwords protected with bcrypt and salt
• Session Management: Secure session tokens with automatic expiration
• Account Lockout: Protection against brute force attacks

Data Access Controls

• Zero Trust Architecture: Every request is authenticated and authorized
• Role-Based Access: Users can only access their own data
• API Security: All API endpoints require authentication
• Audit Logging: All data access is logged and monitored

5. Secure Document Processing

Our AI processing pipeline is designed with security and privacy at its core:

Processing Environment

• Isolated Processing: Each document is processed in an isolated environment
• Temporary Decryption: Documents are only decrypted during active processing
• Memory Protection: Processing memory is cleared immediately after use
• No Human Access: AI processing is fully automated with no human intervention

AI Model Security

• Private Models: We use private AI models that don't share data with third parties
• No Training Data: Your documents are never used to train our AI models
• Secure APIs: AI processing uses encrypted API calls
• Data Minimization: Only necessary data is sent for processing

6. Compliance & Certifications

We adhere to industry standards and regulations to ensure your data is protected:

Security Standards

• SOC 2 Type II: Annual security audits by independent third parties
• OWASP Guidelines: Follow Open Web Application Security Project best practices
• NIST Framework: Align with National Institute of Standards and Technology guidelines
• ISO 27001: Information security management system certification

Privacy Regulations

• GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation compliance for EU users
• CCPA: California Consumer Privacy Act compliance
• PIPEDA: Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada)
• State Privacy Laws: Compliance with applicable U.S. state privacy laws

7. Incident Response & Monitoring

We maintain comprehensive monitoring and response procedures to quickly address any security concerns:

24/7 Monitoring

• Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Real-time security monitoring
• Automated Alerts: Immediate notification of suspicious activities
• Log Analysis: Comprehensive logging and analysis of all system activities
• Threat Intelligence: Integration with global threat intelligence feeds

Incident Response Plan

• Rapid Response Team: Dedicated security team available 24/7
• Containment Procedures: Immediate steps to contain and mitigate threats
• User Notification: Prompt notification if your data is affected
• Regulatory Reporting: Compliance with breach notification requirements

Regular Testing

• Penetration Testing: Regular security testing by external experts
• Vulnerability Scanning: Automated scanning for security vulnerabilities
• Disaster Recovery Testing: Regular testing of backup and recovery procedures
• Security Audits: Annual comprehensive security reviews

8. Data Retention & Secure Deletion

We implement secure data lifecycle management to protect your information:

Retention Policies

• User-Controlled: You can set your own data retention preferences (30 days to 1 year)
• Default Retention: 90 days for uploaded documents
• Account Deletion: All data permanently deleted within 30 days of account closure
• Legal Holds: Data may be retained longer only if required by law

Secure Deletion

• Cryptographic Erasure: Encryption keys are destroyed, making data unrecoverable
• Multi-Pass Deletion: Physical storage locations are overwritten multiple times
• Backup Deletion: All backups and replicas are also securely deleted
• Verification: Deletion processes are verified and logged

9. Your Role in Security

While we protect your data on our end, here's how you can help keep your account secure:

Account Security

• Strong Passwords: Use a unique, complex password for your account
• Password Manager: Consider using a reputable password manager
• Regular Updates: Keep your browser and devices updated
• Secure Networks: Avoid uploading documents on public Wi-Fi

Safe Practices

• Log Out: Always log out when using shared or public computers
• Verify URLs: Always access our site directly, not through email links
• Monitor Access: Review your account activity regularly
• Report Issues: Contact us immediately if you notice anything suspicious

10. Security Contact & Reporting

We take security concerns seriously and encourage responsible disclosure:

Reporting Security Issues

• Security Email: security@[yourdomain].com
• Response Time: We respond to security reports within 24 hours
• Responsible Disclosure: Please give us time to address issues before public disclosure

General Security Questions

• Support: Contact Support
• Privacy: privacy@[yourdomain].com

11. Staying Current

Security is an ongoing process. Here's how we stay ahead of threats:

• Continuous Updates: Regular security patches and system updates
• Threat Intelligence: Monitoring global security threats and trends
• Security Training: Regular training for all team members
• Industry Participation: Active participation in security communities
• Third-Party Audits: Regular independent security assessments

This security page is updated regularly to reflect our current practices and any changes to our security measures.