Watkins Labs
Effective Date: 01-01-2025
1. Introduction
This Security & Compliance Policy outlines the security measures, compliance obligations, and responsibilities of Watkins Labs and its clients regarding the use of our services.
By using our services, you acknowledge and agree to comply with this policy. Failure to adhere to these requirements may result in service suspension or termination.
2. Security Standards
Watkins Labs is committed to implementing industry-leading security measures to safeguard client data. Our security framework includes:
- Data Encryption: All client data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+) and at rest (AES-256).
- Access Control: Strict role-based access control (RBAC) with least-privilege principles enforced.
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Required for all administrative access to systems handling sensitive data.
- Network Security: Use of firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and endpoint protection to monitor and prevent unauthorized access.
- Vulnerability Management: Regular vulnerability scanning and patch management for all systems.
- Secure Software Development: Adherence to secure coding practices, regular code reviews, and static/dynamic security testing.
- Audit Logging: Continuous monitoring and logging of access and security events for auditability.
- Third-Party Security: Regular assessments of third-party vendors to ensure compliance with our security standards.
3. Compliance & Regulatory Commitments
Watkins Labs adheres to strict compliance requirements based on industry regulations and legal frameworks, including but not limited to:
- General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) – Protecting the privacy rights of EU individuals.
- California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) – Ensuring transparency in data collection and processing for California residents.
- Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) (if applicable) – Safeguarding protected health information (PHI).
- SOC 2 Type II Compliance – Adherence to security, availability, and confidentiality standards.
Client Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with applicable laws, industry regulations, and organizational policies when using Watkins Labs services.
- Maintain secure authentication methods, including strong passwords and MFA.
- Protect personal credentials and notify us of any suspected compromise.
- Implement internal security measures to prevent unauthorized data access.
4. Incident Management & Breach Notification
Watkins Labs has a structured incident response plan to address potential security threats and breaches.
Incident Handling
- Clients must report suspected security incidents immediately to security@watkinslabs.com.
- Watkins Labs will initiate an investigation within 24 hours of incident detection.
- For verified security incidents, containment, eradication, and recovery steps will be executed promptly.
Breach Notification
- In the event of a confirmed data breach, affected clients will be notified within 72 hours, as required by applicable laws.
- Notifications will include details on the nature of the breach, affected data, mitigation efforts, and recommended actions for clients.
- Watkins Labs will coordinate with regulatory bodies if necessary and ensure full legal compliance.
5. Data Retention & Disposal
- Client data is retained only for the duration required to fulfill contractual obligations and legal requirements.
- Upon contract termination, client data will be securely deleted within 30 days, unless retention is required by law.
- Secure data disposal follows NIST 800-88 standards for media sanitization.
6. Security Testing & Continuous Improvement
To maintain a high-security standard, Watkins Labs follows a proactive security approach:
- Regular Penetration Testing: Annual third-party penetration tests to identify vulnerabilities.
- Security Awareness Training: Mandatory cybersecurity training for employees handling sensitive data.
- Incident Response Drills: Routine tabletop exercises to refine security incident response capabilities.
7. Policy Updates
This policy is subject to periodic updates. Clients will be notified of significant changes via email or public announcements. The latest version is available at watkinslabs.com/security-compliance-policy.
8. Contact Us
For security, compliance, or privacy-related inquiries, contact:
📧 security@watkinslabs.com
📞 +1 (470) 593-0221