DataStax Software Development Security Program

The DataStax Software Development Security Program (DSDSP) integrates security into our engineering processes with the goal of making our products as secure as possible. It covers the design, development, and testing of DataStax Enterprise with a focus on reducing the likelihood that DataStax's products will serve as the entry point for an attack or intrusion.

Enabling Security Best Practices

This program is focused on giving DataStax Enterprise the features needed for developers to build secure applications that remain secure in operation. It covers everything from encryption of data at rest to helping developers prevent "CQL Injection" attacks.

Corporate Security

This program is focused on reducing the likelihood of data breaches for DataStax internal IT systems through physical or electronic means as well as the maintenance of our security policies.

Vulnerability Reporting

This program covers transparent vulnerability reporting and status for DataStax Enterprise.

Last Updated June 1, 2017

Developer Training

As part of our on-boarding process, all newly-hired software engineers are required to take online secure coding training from SAFECode.



Modules taken (below) depend on the product area in which the developer works:

Secure Coding Standards

DataStax has a software development policy that requires code reviews on all code before it is checked into our code repository. This policy includes a review for security related issues.

Expert / External Review

DataStax has retained external security experts to code review our security features. Based on their analysis, we made improvements and added features such as support for off-server key storage. External validation is an ongoing process that we use to double check our own efforts.

Code Scanning and Vulnerability Monitoring

The DataStax Test Engineering team routinely scans our software with the SRC:CLR product to itemize the content of our software and match publicly known vulnerabilities to code. In addition to scanning our codebase, DataStax monitors the National Vulnerability Database and US-CERT activity. The results of code scans and NVD and US-CERT monitoring are fed back into the development team for review and, if applicable, patches are created. The Vulnerability Reporting tab contains a list of recently identified issues and their disposition.

Physical Security

DataStax maintains small engineering data centers co-located with developers for use in product development and testing. No customer data is stored in any system running in these datacenters. The datacenters are secured by a physical key, electronic access key or both. Electronic access is logged and monitored. A video camera records motion and access to the DataStax datacenter located at DataStax headquarters. An alarm system is installed at all on-premises datacenters and DataStax headquarters. DataStax headquarters is protected by a security station with security personnel at the front desk lobby. Key fob security badges are required for building access and elevator floor access during non-business hours at DataStax headquarters. Key fob security badges are surrendered and deactivated upon employee termination.

Information Systems

DataStax uses several cloud-based technology vendors to support company operations. These vendors have separate security policies that govern the protection of DataStax data in their possession. Relevant vendors and their security policies are listed below.
 

Service	Security Information
Google	DataStax uses Google Apps for Business for internal messaging and document handling. Google provides security and privacy for its services as outlined in their Security and Privacy documentation. In addition, DataStax implements Google services following best practices such as: Enforced 2-factor authentication Least Privileged Roles
Workday	DataStax uses Workday for HR and Finance needs. Workday security documentation can be found on their security page.
Salesforce.com	DataStax uses the Salesforce.com CRM system. Salesforce security documentation can be found on their security page and in this security whitepaper.
Pantheon	DataStax uses Pantheon for web hosting. Pantheon security documentation can be found on their security page.
Inversoft	DataStax uses Inversoft for website identity management. Inversoft privacy documentation can be found on their privacy page.

Engineering Systems

All systems in the datacenter operate behind a firewall. The firewall and switch firmware/operating systems are upgraded to the latest version every six (6) months to apply the latest security patches. Emergency upgrades are done in an event that a critical patch is released. HTTPS and SSH are the only protocols available to access the firewall. DataStax on-premises systems are accessible via an industry-recognized VPN client.
 

Service	Security Information
Atlassian JIRA	DataStax uses hosted Atlassian JIRA for tracking defects and enhancements. Atlassian security policies can be found here Atlassian Security and here Privacy Policy.
Zendesk	DataStax uses Zendesk for tracking customer support tickets. Zendesk security documentation can be found on their security page and in this privacy statement.
Github	DataStax uses Github for source code control. Github security documentation can be found on their security page.
Rightscale	DataStax uses Rightscale for multi-cloud management. Rightscale security documentation can be found on their security page.
Rackspace	DataStax uses Rackspace for server hosting. Rackspace security documentation can be found on their security page.
Amazon Web Services	DataStax uses Amazon AWS for server hosting. AWS security documentation can be found on their security page.
Microsoft Azure	DataStax uses Microsoft Azure for server hosting. AWS security documentation can be found on their security page.

System Security

DataStax enforces the rule of least privilege for IT systems. Access to designated systems is limited to those personnel for whom access is required based on job function. Data on DataStax customers is restricted to individuals who require system access to perform job functions. Access lists for key corporate systems are audited quarterly. Access to all systems is deleted or suspended upon termination of employment. Only secure transfer protocols (SFTP, SSH etc.) are used to transfer data from one system endpoint to another.

Laptop and Mobile Device Security

Employee computers are password protected and the default configuration for such devices causes the devices to be automatically locked after 10 minutes of inactivity. All employee computers are installed with anti-virus software. Employees are provided with a tool to backup/sync company data to either a physical local location or to cloud storage. Each employee receives a laptop computer with an assigned unique company asset tag for identification. DataStax employees are required to contact IT in an event of laptop theft or loss.

Employee Background Checks

DataStax conducts criminal background checks on all of its employees prior to commencement of employment.

Breach Notifications

DataStax will notify customers of any security breach which involved their data as soon as practicable, but no later than twenty-four hours after DataStax becomes aware of it. This applies to information stored in its own systems as well as the systems of its vendors.