How Appian Helps Government Agencies Effectively Protect Sensitive Information
Appian Is A Perfect Fit For Governments
Protecting sensitive information is one of the biggest challenges that government agencies face every day. Whether matters of national security or ordinary user data, the integrity of information agencies work with is paramount.
Finding ways to effectively manage and protect sensitive information is a constant struggle, with risks of breaches both internal and external at an all-time high. In 2021 alone, nearly 281.5 million people in the United States have been affected by some sort of data breach. One of the best solutions government agencies have in this battle is Appian, one of the low-code development platforms that utilize digital process automation and cloud-native architecture to help government agencies effectively protect sensitive information.
Appian is a low-code cloud computing and enterprise software platform. It allows enterprises to efficiently develop highly-effective apps with minimal code in significantly less time. According to data from Appian, apps created with the Appian Cloud Low-Code Automation platform are 10x faster, have a 50% lower maintenance cost, and have superior functionality than those made with traditional development.
Appian Cloud software is an efficient, easy-to-use solution that is tailor-fitted to the needs of government agencies. We’ll discuss the robust security of Appian software later, but beyond that, it has core features that can seamlessly blend with the workflows of government workers. Appian has features that manage user access and an array of ways to build an easily managed, customized app that perfectly assists in managing the day-to-day. It is an efficient and effective option for a United States government agency looking to automate control of key processes.
Appian and Government Agencies: Security First
Did you know that data breaches exposed 36 billion records in just the first half of 2020? Government agencies deal with a constant stream of information and data that ranges from private personal details to national security matters. It is of the utmost importance that government agencies have the software and infrastructure to effectively manage sensitive information. This includes organizationally, with user management and access policies, and with extensive cybersecurity.
Appian is utilized by government agencies across the country, including the U.S Air Force, Army, Department of Education, and Department of Homeland Security, among many others. These are some of the agencies that handle the most sensitive information imaginable, and they rely on the Appian platform to ensure the integrity of their operations. The reason for this is Appian’s long-standing reputation as a platform that offers unmatched security.
Every government entity is responsible for its data and information, and every agency must remain vigilant and proactive. For the users within government agencies, complex levels of clearance and capabilities are expected. Therefore a core requirement of any solution is user management and access role management.
Appian has security certifications across technologies with a focus on ensuring compliance for even the most complex software solutions. A common requirement for government solutions are independent third-party audits that validate the effectiveness and efficiency of security, and Appian Cloud has received A+ rankings in security from Qualys SSL Labs and many other independent groups. Appian also monitors security 24 hours a day, year-round, ensuring if active threats are detected, they can be immediately countered.
Appian includes response management to allow businesses to respond rapidly to incidents and minimize risk. While many agencies and businesses are still reliant on paper trails and phone calls, Appian’s cloud-native architecture automates processes to improve workforces safety, efficiency, and readiness.
For government agencies, you simply can’t overstate the value and importance of security. It is always a concern with sensitive information, but Appian has manual and robotic processes that ensure cybersecurity. While the client options for building and developing a low-code app are a driving part of the Appian appeal, the high-level security and protection are why some organizations that value the protection of information the most rely on Appian.
Here are just a few of the compliance and certifications that solidify Appian as a security-first platform:
SOC 2
SOC 2 reports are intended to meet the needs of a broad range of users that need to understand internal control at a service organization as it relates to applicable Trust Services Principles and Criteria, which include security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy trust principles.
SOC 3
Appian Cloud’s SOC 3 report is publicly available and provides a summary of the Appian Cloud SOC 2 report. The SOC 3 provides assurance about Appian Cloud’s security, availability, and confidentiality controls in alignment with the AICPA’s Trust Services Principles.
PCI-DSS
The Payment Card Industry (PCI) Security Standards Council offers standards to enhance payment card data security. The PCI Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) provides a framework for developing a robust payment card data security process, including prevention, detection, and appropriate handling of security incidents.
HIPAA
The United States Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulates the security and privacy of Protected Health Information (PHI).
FEDRAMP
The Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) is a United States government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services.
DISA Level 2
FedRAMP+ is the United States Department of Defense’s (DoD) adaptation of the FedRAMP process, where they independently approve cloud-based systems for DoD use.
DISA Level 5 (IL5)
Appian is pursuing Provisional Authority to Operate (P-ATO) for IL-5 deployments in the Appian Government Cloud. Government customers will be notified when the ATO is issued.
FISMA
The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA), enacted in 2002 and amended in 2014, provides a comprehensive framework for ensuring the effectiveness of information security controls for United States federal government IT systems.
FDA
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) introduced 21 CFR Part 11 as a requirement for commercial life science companies that maintain FDA-required records and signatures in electronic format to meet specific standards and comply with good clinical, laboratory, and manufacturing practices.
508 / VPAT
The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 508, requires that Federal agencies’ electronic and information technology is accessible to people with disabilities.
SOC 1 / ISAE 3402
Service Organization Controls (SOC) reports (formerly SAS 70 reports) are designed to help information systems operators and providers build trust and confidence in their service processes and controls.
Organizational Management that Protects Information
Did you know that 34% of data breaches involved internal actors? While cybersecurity is critical, it is also important to have an organized system that minimizes the risk of data breaches within the company.
Sensitive information leaks are a serious threat to government organizations, but with Appian automating key bureaucratic processes, the transmission of information can be organized and secure. Across government agencies, there will be different user settings and service permissions, and Appian helps provide the tools for enterprise organization that ensures the protection of sensitive information. Each user profile in Appian Cloud will have a customized level of access roles and access policies to ensure workforce safety and readiness.
In government settings, it is critical that roles are divided. Lower-level employees shouldn’t have the same access as top-level staff, and the Appian Cloud programs help divide and enforce policy and responsibilities. The different rules are split on the profile by user status and role. Agencies can enforce different user settings and customize their systems to split access according to the user profile.
The more structured and organized your processes are, the easier it is to manage and protect key information. Appian allows businesses and agencies to customize, build, and deploy business rules and workflows. Not only does this provide a more consistent user experience, but it gives developers and employers heightened control over access.
Appian even takes this concept a step further with its latest release – Record Level Security in Appian 22.1.
User management is critical for large organizations that are dealing with protected information. Having a list of users with different user settings controlled on the Appian cloud allows agencies an easy way of managing their employees and their data. Appian has rigid security that governs their access control and user types, with a wide variety of ways agencies can customize the settings. Monitoring your current users and what they can access is critical, and Appian helps make it easy and secure.
User settings and user management are massive components of security for government agencies. But 58% of companies found over 1,000 folders with inconsistent permissions, showing that access policies need a lot of work for many. With Appian, managing service permissions is drastically simplified. Appian makes it easy to create an airtight list of access groups and develop a system that ensures the safekeeping of information. Appian’s group-based policies help drastically reduce the risk of data breaches and inconsistent permissions leading to vulnerabilities.
Appian Government Use Cases
Government agencies handle a wide range of different tasks essential to the security and prosperity of the nation. Each agency is going to have different workflows and responsibilities, with unique policies governing their day-to-day. If agencies are going to implement software solutions, it has to be something capable of effectively assisting in a broad range of areas. This is what the Appian Cloud software can do.
Appian is an agile platform that is capable of filling an array of different roles for agencies. Let’s look at some of the use cases for Appian and government agencies.
Acquisition Management: The procurement process is a time of intensive change, a time-consuming experience that requires significant attention to detail, man-hours, and resource allocation. Appian’s government solutions are built for acquisition management with a concentrated hub where agencies can oversee and control the entire process. Some of the Appian features include source selection, clause automation, requirements management, and more.
Workforce Safety: Like every other industry in the country, government agencies’ work experience has been upended by the pandemic. But returning to work and managing the ever-changing landscape of the situation is critical. Appian can help with this with workforce safety solutions geared towards helping enterprises navigate the new pandemic-altered landscape. Some of the features offered are rapid case management, workforce status updates, and contact tracing.
Data Protection: Data leaks are a great security risk agencies face, and protecting and controlling the information government agencies possess is paramount to national security. Appian is a solution that offers heightened control and simplified management, with various core features that will give agencies the tools they need to ensure data protection. With customizable user management and user profile features and rapid response security, the Appian low-code platform is a major asset for data protection.
How Government Agencies Can Get Started With Appian
Cybersecurity and data protection risks aren’t going anywhere. They’re only getting worse. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, where many were spending more and more time online, risks increased. Cybercrime is up 600% throughout the pandemic, and both individuals and enterprises need to be on high alert.
There are numerous benefits to building your systems with Appian’s low-code platform. For starters, it accelerates your application time dramatically, has 50% lower development costs, and can lead to $13.42 million in savings in just over three years. However, for government agencies, one concern trumps all: security and the protection of sensitive information.
The Appian cloud software has a tremendous user experience with easy development and an array of features. Most importantly, it gives business users a heightened ability to organize, customize, and automate their user management. Cybersecurity risks are mitigated with top-notch security software that has been given the highest rankings by third parties and rapid incident response management. And with software that allows for the simplified development of systems that keep information protected, there’s a reason Appian is trusted by agencies from the U.S Army to the Department of Education.
Appian has been the choice of some of the largest and most complex organizations in the world. It is used by fortune 500 companies as well as major federal bodies, from the U.S Army to the offices of Major League Baseball.
Expert assistance on the creation and optimization of Appian low-code software leads to highly effective results, and that is what Vision Point Systems provides. Rather than developing Appian applications on their own, enterprises can work with Vision Point Systems for a customized service that helps cut costs, limit liability, and increase organizational agility, ensuring that the solution is built to its maximum potential and best performance.
If you want to learn how to implement or maximize your Appian platforms, working with experts specializing in optimizing its use will yield major results. Vision Point Systems helps enterprises from small businesses to federal agencies develop highly effective platforms that streamline processes and protect sensitive information. Vision Point Systems will deliver valuable results and seamlessly integrate with existing systems while meeting project deadlines.
Get in touch with our team today to find out how we can help you maximize your systems.
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