PCA Clients’ custom applications frequently require processing of highly sensitive, proprietary business data e.g. financial records, patient records, legal contracts, transaction data, etc.  The Smart Client platform can be readily configured to support more rigorous business data security requirements.

Secure data storage, transfer and access are essential considerations in designing proprietary business databases with advanced security application.  PCA’s Smart Client application architecture (based upon the Microsoft SQL Server 2005 and .Net 2.0 Framework) supports HIPAA standards for electronic information storage, encryption, transfer and processing of patient-sensitive healthcare and patient data.

Smart Client applications connect to a SQL Server database through the standard Ports 80 and 443.  Port 443 is used with secure encrypted SSL for data where high security compliance is mandated.  All data packets transmitted between the database and the application are compressed in binary format, hence unintelligible to any intrusion or sniffer that may inadvertently (or purposefully) be exposed to one or more data packets.  Smart Client applications function and perform very well in standard HTTP, HTTPS, SSL, VPN and Digital Certificate environments.

Smart Client applications use a standard, Admin-managed, Role-based Security framework to manage all End User access to and use-privileges within the application.  Security settings are stored in the SQL Server database.  Administrators can readily assign and manage different application use-privileges to different roles within and/or outside the organization.

Server-based database security and management is a core consideration within secure business application environments. MS SQL Server fully complies with technical requirements for server-side data storage.  Individual Database data elements can be stored, tracked and secured and audited in any variety of methods supported by SQL Server. 

The Smart Client application architecture provides considerable power and flexibility for protecting data on a users’ PC, once application data is delivered from a SQL Server database through a secure transfer process.   Specific data is received from the SQL Server for various user-related needs; data input, refinement, and reporting for example.  During this time, a secure connection is maintained between the Server and Client application. Application data only exists on the Client PC during the application session.  Once a User logs-out (or following a pre-determined time of inactivity), all the application data is removed from the local computer.