What it means to have secure digital storage in 2021

Secure Digital Storage
What is Secure Digital Storage? For anyone who is in business today, data is one of the most important assets. It’s also one that criminals are only too happy to steal. Or try to. Because of that, protecting your data needs to be a high priority. Putting a lock on your storeroom office isn’t enough. Having passwords on employee computers isn’t enough. Having a firewall on your network isn’t enough. And hoping that nobody will be interested in your data is definitely not enough.  So what does secure digital storage look like in 2021? Let’s look at four factors. Security Protocols For Secure Digital Storage For firearms dealers, the customer data collected on Form 4473 needs to be captured and then stored securely. Gun and pawnshop owners need to understand the sensitivity of the information they work with and take responsibility for their role in keeping it safe. If they’re using security protocols that aren’t compliant and stringent, including both document and storage encryption, they are putting their customer data at risk. Stringent security protocols include: Keeping firewalls up-to-date Organizing users by security level Proper key management Continuous monitoring and auditing Thorough staff training that doesn’t create unnecessary roadblocks to doing their work Secure E4473 Online Account Creating a secure E4473 online account is the easiest way to keep your data safe. Our 3-step account setup includes an admin email account verification and remote login security. Our system allows you to have complete control who can access your data at an employee level and protects your data from being accessed locally on office computers and in age-old filing cabinets. Not to mention our system allows for remote secure login from any computer that has internet access so that your account can be monitored even when you’re not in the office.   Strict Password Protocols Few people remember this now, but in 2013 Adobe had a data breach caused by weak password protocols. It was big and embarrassing. Weak passwords are an easy way into your records and therefore are a very important part of overall data security. “According to the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report, compromised passwords are responsible for 81% of hacking-related breaches.” Among other things, secure passwords are long, but not necessarily complex, and should be protected by hashing before they’re stored. Make sure any system you use has strict password protocols.   Protection From Cyber Attacks Effective protection from cyber-attacks requires continuous monitoring of hacker’s actions and constant upgrades to your security protocols based on this knowledge. Sophisticated protection includes identifying the user’s network, device, and actions. Even the rate at which they are typing can be an important indicator of potential fraud.  E4473 is the first solution on the market to offer ATF-compliant Digital Storage. Our goal is to increase the safety and security around firearm transactions while helping to alleviate errors and time wasted. When you use E4473, you can have confidence that you are using the most up-to-date protocols for secure digital transactions and storage.
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Personal Identity Protection in the Firearms Industry

personal identity protection
Do legal gun purchasers have a right to anonymity? In light of the second amendment, that would seem to be a rhetorical question, but some gun control lobbyists have been arguing for years that making records of gun owners public will reduce crime. Personal identity protection and the storage of private data are critical issues for firearms dealers and their customers. Currently, gun ownership privacy is still protected by the federal government and Congress has enacted privacy-protective legislation in order to preserve second amendment rights. The 1986 Firearm Owners Protection Act did several important things related to private personal data: It repealed certain recordkeeping requirements for the sale of ammunition. It prohibited the ATF from centralizing or computerizing firearms purchase records. It reduced criminal penalties for recordkeeping offenses from felonies to misdemeanors. It forbade the ATF from keeping a registry directly linking non-national firearms act firearms to their owners. Form 4473 and Privacy Most of the private information that a firearms dealer collects is on ATF Form 4473. Currently, the information gathered on this form is protected and its transfer is highly restricted. In addition to completing the 4473, FFLs must also record the sale in their transaction log. A dealer must keep this log the entire time he is in business and is required to surrender the log to the ATF when he retires.  Form 4473 contains the customer’s name and address, the background check transaction number, the gun’s serial number, and answers to questions about his or her eligibility to purchase a gun. The dealer must keep the Form 4473 for twenty years and is subject to inspection by the ATF. Many believe this record-keeping system creates an informal national firearm registration and that makes 2A supporters cautious.  While it is not centralized, it is important to note that the information of a gun purchaser is held by the retail dealer. Since licensed sellers, manufacturers and importers are responsible for recordkeeping, private data is only as secure as the storage and maintenance systems in which it’s held, which is something to think seriously about if there are concerns about personal identity protection for firearms transactions.  Personal Identity Protection Now and In the Future Beyond the Federal level, states vary considerably in how they prioritize privacy and regulations. Recently, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia introduced the “Gun Owners Privacy Act” (GOPA) which would prevent the government from unlawfully compiling and storing data from background checks on gun owners and further strengthen Federal regulations. Because firearms are a divisive topic in the United States it’s difficult to predict what regulations, or lack thereof, will come into play in the future. What gun owners and FFLs can do now, is ensure that their privacy and that of their customers is protected. The best way to do this is with secure electronic transactions and storage that guarantee 100% compliance such as E4473. E4473 eliminates the liability and hassle of paper records. It offers unmatched data security & consumer personal identity protection and operates with a five-star security protocol, including document encryption, storage encryption, and two-factor authentication.  E4473 provides bulletproof security and privacy, reducing liability for FFLs, and providing a better experience for customers.
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Data Security in the Gun Industry

data security for gun shops
In August 2020, datasets containing over 240,000 records of the Utah Gun Exchange website were posted openly on a popular hacking forum. While the stolen databases didn’t contain any financial records, they did contain email addresses and hashed passwords. Many people hope and even believe that a data security breach won’t happen to them. The reality is that a data breach can happen to almost anyone and when it occurs, the ramifications are widespread. That’s why it is essential for firearms dealers to use security-centric software that focuses on complying with ATF security regulations. Firearms sales grew at an unprecedented pace in 2020. In addition to brick and more sales, more and more firearms dealers bring their products online. Whether on or offline, firearm sales must be compliant with state and federal laws, including data storage and security.  At E4473, we believe that data security is the most important issue facing firearms dealers in 2021 and following; in part because the ATF requires it but also because, even in the absence of regulations, your reputation demands it. Since the ATF digital requirements are the minimum standard with which you must comply, let’s take a closer look. Firearms Acquisition and Disposition Record Storage ATF Requirements:  Transactions must be completed entirely in a digital environment, in accordance with ATF Ruling 2016-2 and Form 4473s must be saved in an unalterable format. Electronic firearms acquisition and disposition records may be stored on a computer server or device owned and operated by the licensee provided that the server is located within the United States or its territories. E4473 Features Meet & Exceed: E4473 operates with a five-star security protocol, including document encryption, storage encryption, and two-factor authentication.  E4473 offers the ultimate solution, capturing customer data, and storing the information securely on our remote servers. Data Security ATF Requirements: A filter or wall must be created to make sure that Form 4473s for completed transactions are stored separately from Form 4473s where the transaction was not completed. Each licensee must maintain its stored e-Form 4473 on a separate/partitioned database that cannot be intermingled with another licensee’s. E4473 Features Meet & Exceed: Our 24/7 monitoring service is included with each of our digital storage packages to protect against attacks. All data, for every E4473 user account is stored within a secured, separate database so that data from separate accounts can’t be intermingled.  Data Backup ATF Requirements: The system must back up its stored Form 4473s upon the completion of a transaction. When a transaction is stopped before completion, the system must save the partially complete Form 4473. The storage system must back-up the stored e-Form 4473 on at least a daily basis to protect the data from accidental deletion or system failure. E4473 Features Meet & Exceed: Our databases are backed up on a daily basis. During the completion process, the E4473 intake system prompts users to click “Save & Close”. If a user cancels, they’ll get the following warning, “You’re about to cancel, are you sure?” E4473 uses many layers of high level security to validate and verify that your data is protected. Using E4473 to complete Form 4473  ensures that you are both fully compliant with ATF regulations and secure from criminals who want to steal your data.  E4473 is the first solution to offer FFLs unmatched data security now and into the future. When you use E4473, data security is one thing you can check off your list with confidence.
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Why It’s Safer to Complete Form 4473 Online

complete 4473 online
We can learn a lot about the secure filing of digital forms from HIPAA. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act requires the protection and confidential handling of protected health information (source). These regulations have spawned an immense, complex ecosystem of protocols for compliance. The consensus among experts in the field is that the electronic completion and storage of health records is the surest way to comply with the law. Because of this, firearms dealers are in good company when they decide to move their record processing online. While form 4473 is not as highly regulated as a health record, it is still considered a confidential document, with rules that must be followed for its lawful completion. “These forms are given the same status as a tax return under the Privacy Act of 1974 and cannot be disclosed by the government to private parties or other government officials except in accordance with the Privacy Act.” (source)  Paper records have several security risks that are eliminated or reduced by completing and storing the records digitally. Here are seven reasons why it’s safer to process form 4473 online using E4473.  The information on the form is encrypted and password protected. E4473 offers a five-tier data security protocol and 24/7 monitoring for vital attacks. Records are protected by strong login and password systems, using dual factor authentication. The platform allows for enforcing policy on secure passwords. Once completed, the form is encrypted, providing an additional layer of security.  The software is regularly updated to ensure ATF compliance. We closely monitor the latest releases, regulations, and requirements of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives so that you are always 100% compliant with ATF regulations.  The form is easy to use and protected against error. No technical skills are required to complete the form correctly. There is verification and validation of every form field on every application. Incorrect answers are flagged and help text is provided to ensure that you and your customer will not have to go back to fix mistakes later. Digital records cannot be tampered with or lost. Paper records can be lost or destroyed. They can also be altered in ways that might not be noticed. Digital records are secure from tampering, misplacement, or damage. An audit trail is created. You can easily determine who has accessed the form and when they have accessed it. That’s not possible with paper records. If your records are audited, there will be an audit trail if it’s ever needed.  Only authorized people can access the form. Digitally stored records can’t accidentally be left out in the open or misfiled. Only authorized people, such as ATF inspectors, can access them. The form is backed up in case of a disaster. Records can be lost due to natural disasters, ransom attacks, criminal trespass, or human error. If any of these things happen you’ll be able to recover your documents quickly and be back in business.  In addition to the many safety reasons in favor of completing form 4473 online, there are several practical ones. A paper 4473 can take more than half an hour to complete, while the electronic version — using E4473 — can be completed in minutes. Paper versions are required to be filed and kept by you for 20 years. Digital 4473’s are stored offsite, relieving you of the worry of their security and preservation. E4473 is built for mobile and can be completed on any device with an internet connection; including phone, tablet, kiosk, or computer.   Want to know more? Visit our FAQ page for answers to your questions or email one of our experts at hello@e4473.com.
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Completing Form 4473 Has Never Been Easier

form 4473 online
Lying on form 4473 is a felony. Thankfully, you’re not too likely to run into that situation. What’s much more common is having to identify and fix honest mistakes in the 75 fields that your customer needs to complete in order to make a purchase.  You can spend time trying to keep your customers focused on the form, preventing distractions from other customers who just want a quick question answered, and making sure they don’t use a middle initial in Section A; or you can use E4473. It’s just that clearcut. E4473 takes everything online and makes it easy. No more bound book. No more 20 years of paperwork on file. No more babysitting customers while they complete the form. The benefits of E4473 are overwhelming and the cost is negligible in comparison. Benefit #1: Stay Compliant With E4473 you have the security of being 100% compliant with ATF regulations. We play ball by the book. E4473 keeps a close eye on the ATF’s latest releases, regulations, and requirements. Our legal team stays ahead of the curve so you can sell firearms without anxiety. The platform meets all 12 of the minimum standards for an ATF variance, including completing the form entirely in a digital environment, saving it in an unalterable format, and providing ATF with uninterrupted access to the system in “read only” capacity. Benefit #2: Enhance Security and Privacy Data privacy is a top priority with E4773. The platform offers a five-tier data security protocol and round-the-clock monitoring that’s like kevlar for your data. Dual factor authentication is the industry standard and a requirement for E4473. We are constantly on the alert for suspicious activity while keeping private information tightly locked up. This allows you to eliminate thousands of unsecured paper records and cease worrying about document storage. Benefit #3: Increase Sales to Qualified Customers Remember babysitting the customer filling out the form 4473, while other potential customers are waiting in line or trying to ask questions? With E4473 that can be a problem of the past. There are no wait times because the form is accessible on any device at any time. It’s intuitive, easy-to-use interface means even a first-timer can complete form 4773 accurately and without frustration. Multi-user capability means you, your team, and your customers can be using E4473 all the same time without errors or timeouts. Furthermore, E4473 lowers your costs by reducing the amount of time you spend completing form 4773, training your employees to execute the process correctly, and fixing errors. E4473 supports you with online video training, FAQs, and support services. It’s accuracy helps keep straw purchases out of your store so you can spend your time with your loyal, qualified customers.  Benefit #4: Eliminate Form 4473 Errors E4473 digital process removes the error caused by manual processes and helps eliminate inaccuracies. Each section of our application offers questions displayed with definitions and exceptions, and there are alerts for improper answers. Best of all, it’s 100% automatic and reliable so you can keep your focus where it needs to be — on your business. Benefit #5: Reduce Paperwork With E4473, you can complete all your gun sales and transfers digitally, freeing up hours of time you used to spend on paperwork. Each firearm transaction record is stored digitally with all its attachments, eliminating hard copies and wet signatures. Benefit #6: Experience Peace of Mind E4473 is hands-down the safest way to sell firearms. It gives you the security of submitting an error-free form, compliant with ATF regulations. It eliminates the hassle of creating, storing, and retrieving paper documents. And, if you’re ever audited, the ATF can have uninterrupted access to the system in “read only” capacity and the ability to retrieve information quickly. The E4473 platform was developed to meet the needs of all firearms dealers. Whether you’re a pawn shop, small gun shop, e-commerce firearm store, or large retailer we have a solution that will make your life easier and your business more profitable. We are passionate about the right to responsibly bear arms and would love to talk to you about how you can process the form 4473 with previously unknown ease, security, and accuracy.
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