Hardware systems
EMMES owns, operates, and maintains a powerful, state-of-the-art system of servers and client computers. The system consists of a secure local area network to service internal user needs and a series of Web, database, and application servers to service both internal and external requirements for remote access. As the number of EMMES projects and staff increases and as our projects become more complex and demanding, the number and power of the EMMES network servers and end-user systems has increased to meet these needs.

System availability is one of our highest priorities. EMMES has introduced redundant components where appropriate for its mission-critical elements and shared devices. Access to alternative power sources and communication services is also available.

Software systems
EMMES is especially proud of our record of meeting the needs of our projects with state-of-the-art IT solutions using mature and proven technologies, and by creating project-specific applications. We have created standardized, shared, and reusable software components and productivity-enhancing tools for internal project personnel and the customers we serve. This approach minimizes the risks associated with new product development. EMMES frequently presents papers and participates on panels at professional meetings to describe our innovative IT approaches.

Communication
The EMMES Corporation has access to a wide variety of communications support services to meet daily technical and administrative needs. Because of our increased dependence on reliable, high-speed communication infrastructures, we have implemented mechanisms that detect component overloads or failures and automatically notify EMMES personnel. We provide 24/7 monitoring and service to clients for whom we are the application service provider (ASP).

EMMES makes extensive use of the Internet for communication between our corporate network and external users. The EMMES Home page, www.emmes.com, is our primary portal for disseminating information of general public interest and can be used to restrict access to project teams.

Security
Data safety and security are EMMES’ highest priorities. We take very seriously the responsibility for safeguarding all data from inadvertent or malicious disclosure, loss or damage or from unauthorized access. To this end, we have implemented several layers of access security combined with rigorous data backup and auditing.

Physical security is our first line of defense. EMMES' offices are accessible only through the reception area or by passkey to uniquely identify persons entering the facility. All visitors sign in at the reception area, are greeted by their hosts, and are escorted to their meetings. Internal offices that hold sensitive equipment or files are key-locked to further limit access to authorized personnel only.

Computer system access security has several aspects. Internal system security is provided by login/password access and trustee security that controls individual user access to directories and data files. External system security has become a more important element of our security plan since the mid-1990s, when we began deploying Internet systems to support our projects.

To protect data from loss, full system backups are performed daily. Data sets used for reporting purposes are archived for extended periods. Weekly backup tapes are stored off-site in accessible bank vaults. Data modifications made through EMMES applications are logged and archived.

EMMES protects itself from unauthorized access through advanced firewall technology. Protection for data accessed over the Internet through EMMES applications is similar to that used for internal network security - login ID and password with access rights limited by the user's site and project roles. Communications over the Internet for web pages containing sensitive information uses secure socket layer (SSL) protocol. This mechanism provides the highest level of encryption allowed to ensure that no one can "listen-in" on the traffic between client and server.


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