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Press Release -- April 9th, 2015
Source: Windstream
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Windstream Hosted Solutions advances data center compliance, achieves SOC 3

Security is a top priority for Windstream’s cloud and data center solutions

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Windstream Hosted Solutions, provider of cloud and data center solutions and a part of Windstream (NYSE:WIN, news, filings), a leading provider of advanced network communications, announced today that fourteen of its cloud-enabled data centers have successfully completed a Service Organization Control (SOC) 3 examination.

Performed by BrightLine CPAs & Associates, Inc., a globally accredited licensed CPA firm and leading provider of attestation and compliance services, the SOC 3 examination includes industry standards established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and designed to protect customer data and applications. With this additional level of compliance, Windstream has completed the Statement on Standards for Attestation Engagements (SSAE) 16 SOC 1, SOC 2 and SOC 3 compliance suite.

“Security and compliance are both top priorities for all of our cloud and data center solutions. As security threats and intrusions continue to increase, so does our vigilance on safeguarding of critical customer data and applications,” said Jeff Bertocci, senior vice president of cloud and data center operations for Windstream. “Windstream’s successful completion of the SOC 3 examination is another step in our ongoing commitment to upholding the highest level of compliance to meet the needs of our enterprise customers.”

The final BrightLine report confirms that fourteen of Windstream Hosted Solutions’ cloud-enabled data centers have the controls in place for meeting the applicable trust services criteria over the review period for the Security and Availability Trust Services principles. SOC 3 reports, intended for general use, offer assurance on the controls in place at a service organization as related to security, availability, or processing integrity of a system, and the confidentiality, or privacy, of the information processed for user entities.

In 2014, Windstream’s information security program adopted essential elements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act (HITECH) requirements. That same year, Windstream also validated compliance with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standard (DSS) version 3.0 for its Data Center services.  The examinations and validations help to demonstrate that Windstream’s data centers and network were designed with controls to help meet federal and industry standards for private health and financial data.

“Satisfying regulatory compliance requirements ranks among the top 3 concerns of IT executives in today’s enterprise environment of increased security threats and potential data breaches,” stated Melanie Posey, Research Vice President at IDC. “Data center providers that offer compliance strengthen the ‘trust’ factor with clients, emerging as an even more important selection factor than price, performance and functionality.”

Windstream Hosted Solutions, with its growing nationwide network of 27 data centers, offers a robust cloud-computing solution that dramatically improves the efficiency and availability of IT resources and applications for enterprise businesses, allowing them to rapidly implement cloud services without capital investments so they can reshape their environment on demand. The Windstream Hosted Solutions suite includes public, private and hybrid cloud products, available to businesses nationwide. These managed and dedicated hosting solutions, combined with Windstream’s full lineup of advanced network communications and technology products – including voice and data services such as VoIP, SIP trunking, MPLS, and dedicated high-speed internet – allow Windstream to offer its customers a complete set of integrated services.

About Windstream

Windstream, a FORTUNE 500 company, is a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions, including cloud computing and managed services, to businesses nationwide. The company also offers broadband, phone and digital TV services to consumers primarily in rural areas. For more information, visit the company’s online newsroom at news.windstream.com or follow on Twitter at @WindstreamNews.

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