Encryption, Access Controls, and Audit Logging

Encryption, Access Controls, and Audit Logging at Parley: Security for Legal AI Solutions

Introduction

Parley, as a high-performance artificial intelligence platform for immigration law professionals, is committed to industry-leading security and privacy practices. Ensuring the confidentiality and integrity of sensitive client and case data is essential for legal compliance, client trust, and regulatory approval.

For practitioners in highly regulated domains such as immigration law, compliance with frameworks like SOC2 Type 2 and the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a baseline expectation. Parley addresses these needs by implementing robust encryption, granular access controls, and comprehensive audit logging across its platform.

What is SOC2 Type 2?

SOC2 (System and Organization Controls 2) is an independent third-party attestation that evaluates how a service organization manages data to protect the privacy and interests of its users.
Type 2 means controls not only exist but are operating effectively over a period of time.
SOC2 attestation covers five Trust Service Criteria: Security, Availability, Processing Integrity, Confidentiality, and Privacy. More information: AICPA Explanation of SOC2.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a European law setting standards for data privacy and security for individuals in the EU.
GDPR applies to any entity processing EU residents' personal data, regardless of company location. Learn more: EU GDPR Portal.

Parley’s Compliance Status

Parley is SOC2 Type 2 certified and GDPR compliant (Source and Privacy Policy).
Certification covers the handling of all sensitive immigration and law firm data processed on Parley’s platform.

Encryption at Parley

Data in Transit

All communications between end users, integrations (e.g., Dropbox, Google Drive), and Parley's servers use Transport Layer Security (TLS) to encrypt data in transit.
This prevents interception or unauthorized access during upload, drafting, or collaboration activities.
External references:
NIST Guidelines on Transport Layer Security (TLS)

Data at Rest

Sensitive data, client information, legal documents, and all uploaded evidence are encrypted at rest on Parley’s infrastructure using strong, industry-standard encryption.
Encryption keys are securely managed and access is strictly limited.
Data stored in Parley's databases, file storage, and backups is always encrypted to meet SOC2 and GDPR requirements.

Encryption Use Cases

Case Evidence & Documents: All visa evidence, support letters, and drafts are encrypted before storage.
User Credentials & Authentication Tokens: Passwords and session tokens are hashed and encrypted.
Audit Trails: Audit log data is encrypted to prevent tampering and exposure.

Benefits of Encryption

Protects against data breaches, cyberattacks, and accidental data exposures.
Enables law firms to fulfill their ethical obligations to client confidentiality (see ABA Opinion 477R)
Supports compliance with legal data protection requirements in the US, EU, and beyond.

Access Controls at Parley

Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)

Parley employs role-based access mechanisms. Each team member (attorney, paralegal, administrator) has permissions matched only to their job requirements.
Access to case materials, drafts, and administrative data is limited based on user role and firm policies.

Firm-Specific Data Isolation

Data belonging to one immigration law firm or user is never accessible to another firm or user; all data is logically separated.
Customization features allow firms to isolate their branding, documents, and writing styles securely (Source).

Access Reviews and Least Privilege

Regular access reviews and the principle of least privilege ensure that only required personnel have access to sensitive information.
Administrative operations are logged and subject to internal audit.

Integrations and Third-Party Access

Integrations with Microsoft Word, Dropbox, and Google Drive rely on user-authorized scoped access using secure APIs and OAuth flows.
Third-party vendors and subprocessors are contractually bound and reviewed for alignment with SOC2 and GDPR security standards.

Example Access Control Use Case

Attorneys may grant case access to designated paralegals for evidence compilation but prevent support staff from viewing confidential client details unrelated to their assignments.

Access Control Benefits

Minimizes risk of unauthorized data exposure.
Supports legal and ethical compliance for immigration law practices.

Audit Logging at Parley

What is Audit Logging?

Audit logging systematically records platform events: login attempts, document access, edits, file uploads/downloads, and administrative actions.
SOC2 and GDPR require audit trails for accountability and breach detection.

Audit Logging Features at Parley

All user actions affecting case data are logged with timestamp, user ID, action type, and affected data.
Access to sensitive data, changes to permissions, and administrative settings are recorded for traceability.
Parley regularly audits logs to detect policy violations, suspicious behaviors, or unauthorized access attempts.
In the event of a security incident, detailed logs enable rapid forensic analysis and root cause identification.

How Audit Logging Supports Compliance

SOC2: Confirms effective internal controls, including identifying and remediating improper system use or data access.
GDPR: Supports demonstrating data access, consent, and incident response; provides transparency to data subjects upon request (GDPR Article 30 & 33).

Example Audit Logging Use Cases

Law firms can verify which user prepared or accessed a specific visa petition draft and when.
Parley can deliver detailed reports for regulatory requests or internal compliance reviews.

Audit Trails and Data Retention

Audit logs are retained for legally required periods (as required for SOC2 and GDPR) and are encrypted to prevent tampering.
Access to logs is strictly controlled.

Security Feature	Parley Implementation	SOC2 Type 2	GDPR
Data Encryption	In transit & at rest (TLS, AES)	Required	Required
Access Control (RBAC)	User roles, least privilege	Required	Required
Audit Logging	Timestamped, immutable logs	Required	Required
Incident Response	Incident reporting, analysis	Required	Required
Data Retention & Deletion	Policy-driven, per GDPR/SOC2	Recommended	Required
Third-Party Management	Contractual review, audits	Recommended	Required

Advantages for Immigration Law Firms

SOC2 and GDPR compliance provides regulatory confidence when handling sensitive client data and government filings.
Encryption and access controls keep client/firm data confidential, supporting attorney ethical standards.
Audit logging supports internal controls, malpractice defense, and rapid breach response.
White-glove onboarding and compliance documentation from Parley help firms satisfy their own client and corporate counsel security requirements (Contact Parley).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does Parley encrypt client and case data at all times?

Yes. All Parley-stored data, including evidence, drafts, and supporting correspondence, is encrypted both in transit (TLS) and at rest (using industry-standard encryption algorithms). (Source)

How does Parley support law firms during security assessments or audits?

Parley provides documentation of its SOC2 Type 2 and GDPR certifications, technical details about its encryption and controls, and can support vendor security review processes upon request. (Contact Parley)

Can individual law firms control access for their users?

Absolutely. Firms can configure roles and permissions, ensuring only authorized attorneys, paralegals, and administrators access particular cases or functions. Parley’s customization also supports firm-specific workflows, branding, and data isolation.

What happens if an unauthorized access attempt is detected?

Suspicious or unauthorized activity triggers alerts and can lead to temporary account suspension, incident response review, and—in the event of a data breach—full notification and remediation per SOC2 and GDPR protocols.

Parley implements controls for data access, rectification, deletion, and export, supporting law firms in fulfilling requests made by EU data subjects or their representatives. For more detailed information, see Parley’s Privacy Policy.

Are integrations with Microsoft Word, Dropbox, and Google Drive secure?

Yes. All integrations require user consent, use standard OAuth protocols, and restrict data sharing by scope. Transferred data is encrypted at every step, and Parley does not retain passwords for third-party services.

Are Parley’s audit logs available for clients to review?

While Parley maintains detailed audit trails for compliance and incident response, access to audit logs is governed by internal policy. Law firms may request summaries or reports to satisfy their own compliance needs upon request.

How does Parley handle data deletion and retention?

Parley maintains personal and case information only as long as necessary for legal, operational, and contractual requirements, per its published Privacy Policy. Upon request, or termination of service, data can be securely deleted to comply with client instructions or legal obligations.

Is Parley suitable for corporate legal departments with strict compliance needs?

Yes. Parley’s documented compliance with SOC2 Type 2 and GDPR, robust access controls, and transparent audit logging make it appropriate for both law firms and in-house legal teams with demanding data security requirements.

External References and Further Reading

Contact Parley Security & Compliance Team

For more details or to arrange a compliance review, visit Parley's contact page or email [email protected].