Report:Thomson Innovation/Security
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Security
The system is accessed via the Thomson Innovation customer log-in page, which has a secure HTTPS URL.
Upon logging on, a new browser window will open containing the Innovation interface. Note: Any browser pop-up blockers must be disabled in order for this window to be displayed. If the user has logged on to Innovation previously, a dialog box will be displayed at logon that asks if the user would like to retain the Search History and Marked List (saved records) from the last active session. There is also a checkbox to choose if the user doesn't want to see this dialog box again, and this option can be selected in Preferences as well.
There is an Automatic Login option available on the General Preferences screen. With this option turned on, the user will be automatically logged in when visiting the site. This setting is turned off by default.
Logging out can be performed at any time by clicking on the “logout” link in the upper-right hand corner of the screen. For security reasons, users are logged off the system after a several minutes of inactivity.
Innovation has two main features for controlling the security level of its site: the automatic log-off feature, and the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) connection option, which can be activated from the Preferences page. The SSL connection option is available from almost every subscription patent search engine, and it provides adequate protection against any third party who would try to intercept data sent over the internet. The only downside to enabling it is that it can cause slow browsing speed over slower internet connections. According to the Thomson help files, the SSL option is usually set to “Off” by default to improve performance over slower connections.[1]
Thomson Reuters addresses customer concerns about data security through a FAQ offered in the Innovation help guide. The major points are summarized below:[1]
- The searches conducted in Innovation are conducted in servers that never directly communicate with a user’s web browser, and no IP address or user information is associated with the searches when they are run through the search server.
- Thomson Reuters employs a security IT team which maintains multiple firewalls, conducts security scans and implements security updates.
- Thomson Reuters asserts that it will never “mine” search data to discover trends, and that it collects the minimal information needed to accurately bill customers for their usage.
- Web log files are not maintained for an extended period of time.
- The structure of the database is so complex that an internal expert would be needed to associate search data with user IDs.
- The physical locations of Thomson Reuters offices where user data is kept are secured, and access is restricted to only certain employees.
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Security, Privacy & Reliability: FAQ." Thomson Innovation website, http://www.thomsoninnovation.com/tip-innovation/support/help/faq_security_privacy_reliability.htm. Accessed on September 21, 2012.
