Security requires constant attention and effort. While most everyone recognizes the benefits of remote access to data, systems and services, this requires opening formerly closed systems. Providing remote access via the Internet allows increased flexibility, but demands a commitment and vigilance to constantly changing security details and technologies.

I-DEP is the first complete Internet deposition service provider, and is wholly committed to maintaining the security of our client and partner data. We clearly understand the importance of your decision to entrust your deposition service needs to I-DEP. Each of us here at I-DEP is committed to earning your trust each day. As part of this commitment, we have incorporated multiple levels of protection into every aspect of the I-DEP service. That includes all legal depositions conducted live and those stored for later use, all company and member registration information, all deposition schedules, all client network settings and all associated material.

In addition, we have assembled the following technical information to help you and your IT department make an informed decision.

Technology - Layered Protection

I-DEP currently has a dozen security levels, and is constantly implementing additional safeguards. Here is a sample of what we already use to protect you and your clients' data.

• Multiple firewalls
• Numerous levels of User IDs and Passwords
  • Each court reporting firm must register and be assigned an individual corporate account.
  • Each court reporter must be fully registered, tested, trained and verified in the I-DEP system to be assigned a user ID and password.
  • Each firm, organization, corporation, government agency and office must register and be assigned an individual account.
  • Each participant - judge, attorney, expert, in-house adviser, paralegal, legal assistant - must be registered, tested and verified in the I-DEP system to be assigned a unique ID and password.
  • Depositions or each case of depositions have their own ID.
  • Each I-DEP deposition is assigned a unique ID and password to individually track it to case number and deponent. These are controlled by the scheduling attorneys and distributed at their discretion only.
  • Each chat group has its own ID and password.

• Digital certification (authentication) and SSL (Secure Socket Layer, to encrypt all server-to-server communications) are used for sensitive data (and soon will be used throughout the entire Web site).

• Authentication is used between I-DEP's servers and participants' PCs when establishing connections.

• "Hardened" servers and network components are employed.
  • Each service is maintained on unique servers running different operating systems and configurations.
  • Our near-term goals include expanding our use of encryption to all connections, network traffic and data.

Technology is only as good as the people who use it. Further, technology changes too fast for anyone to solely rely on it to protect critical information. So, while I-DEP is constantly researching and implementing advanced hardware and software to help you retain your competitive advantage, our internal procedures are designed to protect you, your client and the integrity of the information you entrust to us. That means monitoring log files and system backups and tracking unusual system usage. This includes personal training for every court reporter in how to conduct an I-DEP Internet Deposition. This includes requiring that the scheduling attorney approve all participating parties. In addition, I-DEP willingly offers to sign a non-disclosure agreement that legally binds us to keep your network settings and all other information about your organization and clients (technical and otherwise) strictly confidential.

More importantly, I-DEP will work with your technical and information security teams to ensure that our security processes meet your corporate requirements, and integrate with your own secured systems. We will test I-DEPis technologies and processes in your environment, so that both your systems and I-DEP's remain secure.

Further, I-DEP understands the industry we desire to assist. For example, the attorney-client privilege protects your ability to share information to and from your clients so you can act in their best interests. In today's electronic world, this privilege stretches to telephone conferencing, voice over IP, e-mail and even electronic instant messaging ("private chat") via the Internet. Private chat between clients and their attorneys should be private. That is why I-DEP ensures that any information shared via our secured chat feed remains temporal -- we believe that chat text should never be stored. This protects you, your clients and your organization. So not only can't it be recalled, it can't be subpoenaed.

Finally, to ensure that each PC is I-DEP-ready, we provide and encourage tests during member registration. "Test Your Computer" quickly assesses configuration, Java compatibility, proper software installation, etc. Similarly, I-DEP provides in-depth assistance for and highly recommends a final test at the deposition site one to 24 hours before every I-DEP Internet deposition. This allows us not only to verify firewall and proxy server configurations, but also to gauge anticipated connection speeds. Such preparations help remove the burden from a client's on-site technical staff. Further, court reporters must undergo additional testing to become I-DEP certified. All of these steps allow I-DEP to provide the highest possible service to our clients - and yours' - during the actual deposition.

Use the Best to Ensure the Best Results

Once you entrust I-DEP with your deposition, we utilize numerous processes and technologies to ensure that it is waiting for you when you need it:

• Depositions are digitally recorded to I-DEP's broadcasting laptop in case the site's network or Internet connection is lost.
• Depositions are securely stored at multiple locations.
• Complete backup systems are employed, utilizing offsite storage.
• Redundant production storage systems are provided.
• Redundant production Web site and application servers are used.

I-DEP has contracted with the largest, fastest, most reliable "Tier 1" service providers available to ensure that your data is available when and where you need it. These include:

• Activate (The world's largest provider of multimedia processing and services)
• Thawte, a VeriSign company (the industry standard for digital certification and SSL)
• CheckPoint (Worldwide leader of firewall applications and approved Internet appliances)
• Sprint (Redundant Internet Service Providers nationwide)
• RCN/EnterAct (co-location facilities)

Conclusion

As the Innovator of Internet Depositions, I-DEP is the industry leader in online deposition security and we are eager to prove it to you. Nobody offers greater levels of protection than I-DEP. During the nearly three years that attorneys and court reporters have trusted I-DEP for their live and archived depositions to be accessible only by authorized parties, there has never been a breach in security during an I-DEP Internet Deposition. With that kind of track record, we hope we can work with your Technical Security Team to bring our service strengths together with yours.

For additional questions on I-DEP's Commitment to Security, we invite you to contact our Technical Support Department via email or phone at 800-498-I-DEP (800-498-4337).

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