PostCourse.com is housed in a robust, Tier-1 datacenter. All data is secure yet efficiently attainable by school leaders with appropriate levels of access. PostCourse is a hosted, turn-key solution. No equipment purchase or software installation is required by participating schools.
Even though PostCourse backs up all data nightly, schools are also allowed and encouraged to download complete sets of their data for local storage.
The PostCourse process is compliant with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and is section 503b compliant.
PostCourse is housed on a dedicated server in a Tier-1 datacenter which is located within a 20,000 sq. ft. facility in FortWorth, TX. The datacenter itself is monitored and supported by a group of onsite network administrators 7 days-a-week, 24 hours-a-day, 365 days-a-year.
PostCourse’s infrastructure features the latest technologies and security precautions described by the hosting company as follows:
Network Security
Our network security measures start at the edge of our network. We have installed Cisco’s Firewall Services Modules in our routers, which provide us with the fastest firewall throughput in the industry. We have preconfigured security templates for our dedicated servers that allow you to determine what ports you would like open to your server. Inside our network the servers are assigned /29 subnets and placed into a dedicated private VLAN. We then secure each private VLAN from other clients in the data center to safeguard from potential internal attacks. This is security threat that many other providers do not have the capability to defend.
An extension to our network security is securing the servers. All of the servers we deploy are imaged with a hardened Microsoft Windows Server configuration. All Microsoft updates and security patches are evaluated, tested and installed on all servers. Additionally, our servers are protected with F-Prot Antivirus which defends against over 310,000 known viruses, worms and trojans.
We maintain a carrier class network designed and built for low latency, high reliability and maximum scalability. We have designed and built a fully redundant Cisco powered network entirely built on the Catalyst 6500 and 2960 series platforms. We have direct gigabit fiber and digital cross connects to AT&T, Grande, Qwest, Savvis and AboveNet.
Physical Security
Physical security is considered equally as important as our network security infrastructure. Our data center has been designed to prevent unauthorized access, theft, fire and other physical threats. Our facility is physically located below ground shielding us from direct exposure to outside elements. It is monitored 24/7 using biometric technology, closed circuit security camera network, and a physical alarm system.
Access into our data center is controlled by a two-factor authentication process. We have incorporated the latest biometric hand scan technology as well as require a unique key badge to be scanned. Our outside access points also include video camera phones which allow us to communicate with outside visitors. Access within our facility is also restricted which ensures only the associates with a business need have access to certain areas.
Our entire facility is monitored by our closed circuit security camera network where the footage is digitally stored. Our system is made up of fixed point and pan-tilt-zoom cameras. The facility can be monitored and managed remotely over the Enterhost internal IP network.
Our data center is equipped with the Very Early Smoke Detection Apparatus (VESDA) system which samples the air for early warnings of an impending fire. This system allows us to make a visual inspection in low-threat situations, make a manual deployment of the dry pipe fire suppression in mid-level threats or initiate an automatic deployment of the dry pipe fire suppression system in the event a high-threat alarm is detected.
Mechanical Security
Our data center was engineered using the latest mission-critical facility design standards and best practices. A significant investment was made in planning, designing and procuring our mechanical systems infrastructure to ensure the facility could support our specific hosting application today as well as future technology life cycles.
Our data center was commissioned with redundant power systems to ensure continuity of service. The facility is fed by three independent power sub-stations making a total power failure highly unlikely. In the event this does occur, our N+1 redundant UPS system, with instantaneous failover, is always conditioning and protecting our power load.
Connected to our UPS systems are battery strings which are fitted to temporarily carry the entire power load in the event of a total power failure. Our batteries are always charged, regularly maintained and tested to ensure they can perform their critical role.
In the event of an extended power outage, the load is transferred to our primary on-site generator which supplies the required electrical power and can run indefinitely. It is a Caterpillar 1.25 megawatt diesel generator with a 1,800 gallon non pressurized tank which can be refueled while in operation. Our generator is enclosed on the ground level protected from the elements. Access is restricted and monitored on our security camera network. Our facility engineers perform weekly load tests.
Our mechanical systems also include 12 HVAC units which ensure optimal operating temperature and humidity is always maintained, even in the event of a cooling system failure. Our redundant climate control systems also circulate and filter air to remove dust and contaminants.
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