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5X Offsite Storage Policy

1. Introduction and Purpose

1.1 Policy Overview

This comprehensive policy establishes the framework and detailed procedures for managing 5X's offsite storage operations. As a cloud-native organization leveraging AWS infrastructure, our offsite storage strategy focuses on geographical data distribution, cross-region replication, and secure storage of critical business assets. This policy ensures business continuity, disaster recovery capabilities, and compliance with regulatory requirements while maintaining the highest standards of data security and integrity.

1.2 Scope and Applicability

This policy governs all offsite storage activities at 5X, encompassing:

Customer metadata stored in AWS infrastructure

System configuration and deployment artifacts

Backup data and disaster recovery resources

Critical business documents and records

Development artifacts and source code repositories

Security logs and audit trails

Employee-related documentation

Each of these components requires specific handling procedures, security controls, and compliance considerations as detailed in the following sections.

2. Offsite Storage Architecture

2.1 Primary Storage Infrastructure

Our primary storage infrastructure leverages AWS's global network of data centers and services. The architecture is designed with the following components:

2.1.1 Multi-Region Storage Design

We implement a comprehensive multi-region storage strategy that includes:

Primary data storage in AWS US-East-1 (North Virginia)

Secondary replication in AWS EU-Central-1 (London)/AWS AP-South-1 (Mumbai) for Enterprise customers

Geographic separation to ensure data availability during regional disasters

2.1.2 Storage Services Utilization

Our infrastructure employs multiple AWS storage services, each configured for specific use cases:

Amazon S3 for object storage with versioning enabled

Amazon EBS for block storage with regular snapshots

Amazon RDS for database storage with daily snapshots

3. Security Controls and Access Management

3.1 Encryption and Key Management

Our offsite storage implements comprehensive encryption protocols to ensure data security:

3.1.1 Data Encryption

All data stored in offsite locations is protected using:

AES-256 encryption for data at rest

TLS 1.3 encryption for data in transit

AWS KMS for key management

Customer-managed keys for enhanced control

Regular key rotation (every 90 days)

Secure key backup and recovery procedures

3.1.2 Key Management Procedures

The key management process includes:

Segregation of duties for key management

Strict access controls to key management systems

Regular key rotation schedules

Secure key backup procedures

Emergency key recovery protocols

Audit logging of all key operations

3.2 Access Control and Authentication

Access to offsite storage is strictly controlled through multiple security layers:

3.2.1 Identity and Access Management

We implement comprehensive IAM controls including:

Role-based access control (RBAC)

Multi-factor authentication requirement

Just-in-time access provisioning

Regular access review and certification

Automated access revocation

Detailed access logging and monitoring

3.2.2 Network Security

Network access to offsite storage is protected by:

VPC endpoints for AWS services

Private subnet deployment

Security group restrictions

Network ACL controls

VPN requirements for remote access

Regular network security audits

4. Operational Procedures

4.1 Data Transfer Procedures

All data transfers to and from offsite storage follow strict protocols:

4.1.1 Upload Procedures

The process for uploading data to offsite storage includes:

Data classification and labeling

Encryption verification

Transfer authorization

Secure transfer execution

Transfer validation

Access control verification

4.1.2 Retrieval Procedures

Data retrieval operations follow these steps:

Access authorization verification

Request documentation

Data location identification

Secure retrieval channel establishment

Integrity verification

Decryption process

Access logging

Usage tracking

5. Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity

5.1 Recovery Procedures

Detailed procedures for recovering data from offsite storage:

5.1.1 Emergency Access Procedures

In the event of emergency access requirements:

Emergency access authorization process

Secure emergency access channel establishment

Critical data identification and prioritization

Coordinated recovery execution

Data integrity verification

Service restoration validation

Incident documentation

Post-incident review

5.1.2 Service Restoration

Steps for restoring services using offsite data:

Impact assessment and prioritization

Recovery team activation

Resource allocation and coordination

Systematic data restoration

Service verification testing

Performance optimization

Documentation update

Lesson incorporation

5.2 Testing and Validation

5.2.1 Regular Testing Schedule

Comprehensive testing program includes:

Monthly retrieval testing

Quarterly recovery simulation

Semi-annual disaster recovery exercise

Annual business continuity test

Regular access control testing

Encryption verification checks

Performance benchmark testing

Compliance validation

5.2.2 Validation Procedures

Each test follows structured validation procedures:

Test plan development

Stakeholder notification

Test environment preparation

Controlled test execution

Results documentation

Performance analysis

Improvement identification

Implementation planning

6. Compliance and Audit

6.1 Regulatory Compliance

Our offsite storage compliance program ensures adherence to:

6.1.1 Compliance Requirements

SOC 2 Type II standards

GDPR data protection requirements

Industry-specific regulations

Internal security policies

Customer contractual obligations

Data privacy regulations

Record retention requirements

Security best practices

6.1.2 Audit Procedures

Regular audit activities include:

Annual external audits

Continuous compliance monitoring

Regular policy reviews

Control effectiveness testing

Documentation updates

Corrective action management

Improvement implementation\

7. Training and Awareness

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