In today’s fast-paced digital world, data security isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a lifeline for businesses everywhere. As we lean more toward cloud-based solutions, protecting sensitive information becomes crucial. Workday, a top name in enterprise cloud apps for finance and HR, gets this. They’ve rolled out solid security measures to keep their users safe. Let’s explore these powerful tools and see why they’re game-changers for data protection.
Workday prioritizes data security from the ground up. Here's a look at some of their core safeguards:
Workday's production environments are in cutting-edge data centers that support mission-critical computer systems. These facilities feature fully redundant subsystems and segmented security zones. Key physical security measures implemented by Workday include:
Access to these data centers is strictly controlled and follows best practices, including "least access" principles for secured servers and regularly scheduled maintenance periods.
Workday's multi-tenant SaaS application architecture is engineered to keep each customer's application data separate while enabling multiple customers to share a single physical system instance. This separation is managed by the Workday Object Management Server (OMS). Here’s how it functions:
The above image shows the Workday object management server highlighting its functions related to data protection.
Workday uses sophisticated encryption methods to secure customer data at rest:
Data transmitted over the internet is safeguarded by Transport Layer Security (TLS):
Workday Key Management Service (KMS)
The Workday Key Management Service (WD KMS) is a robust encryption management solution. It generates, stores, and manages cryptographic keys to encrypt and decrypt your tenant data securely. Workday uses a root key to encrypt and decrypt other keys in the key hierarchy. This root key is hosted by Workday and generated using hardware security modules (HSMs) that adhere to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800-57 recommendations and are Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Level 3 compliant.
Workday hosts hardware and stores sensitive cryptographic materials in secure environments. Access control on a need-to-know basis, and no individual has full system access, ensuring enhanced security. Keys managed by Workday transition through various states—Generated, Activated, Disabled, and Revoked—ensuring they are secure and used appropriately throughout their lifecycle.
For organizations with stringent security requirements, Workday offers the Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) feature, allowing you to generate and manage your own encryption keys. This provides an added layer of control over data security.
BYOK allows organizations to create and host their root key in their preferred cloud provider's Key Management Service (KMS), AWS, or GCP. BYOK ensures organizations meet regulatory standards, fostering greater trust with clients and stakeholders. Workday BYOK integrates seamlessly with existing key management solutions, providing a smooth and efficient implementation process.
An image explaining the broader picture of how key management works in Workday.
Ensuring data availability and recovery is crucial for maintaining business continuity:
Workday employs a comprehensive approach to data security, incorporating physical security, data segregation, encryption of data at rest and in transit, and rigorous backup procedures. These stringent measures always ensure the integrity and confidentiality of your data.
Workday offers robust tools through its Key Management Service and brings your key options, enabling organizations to safeguard sensitive information effectively. By leveraging these features, businesses can bolster data security, adhere to regulatory requirements, and maintain stakeholder trust. Workday remains committed to data security as cyber threats evolve, providing reliable cloud solutions for managing critical business functions.
