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DataParser

Flexible solutions for data compliance

DataParser is the leading independent connector solution for communication platforms to bring chat, meeting and file data into any archive, storage, supervision or eDiscovery system.

D3P

The number one independent D3P provider

We are the experts in Designated Third-Party services for U.S. Broker-Dealers and Fully Paid Lending Third-Party Collateral Administration services.

Since 2001, 17a-4 has helped IT and Compliance teams.

17a-4 Bridge

We can help you navigate the adoption of a new technology so that both teams are happy with outcome. There is no need to pass on new technologies and platforms that can help your business grow. Instead, let our team help you deploy and still satisfy all your security and compliance polices.

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DataParser DataParser is our connector solution to bring data into archives, eDiscovery systems and storage platforms.

DataParser captures chats, files, feeds, database content, exports and more.  Collecting data directly from the source, maintaining chain of custody and metadata required for eDiscovery review and Compliance policies. Processed data can be delivered on your chosen schedule. Daily reporting includes monitoring how many messages have been processed and delivered.  With on-premise and cloud options, you choose how hands-on you want to be.

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FINRAOur D3P team will help you file the required letters and provide guidance for staying in compliance with current regulations.

We are the number one independent D3P provider in the US.  We work closely with our clients to help them maintain compliance with governing regulations and avoid fines.  The crux of our D3P service is the Annual Review. Having both IT and Compliance participate in the review offers an opportunity to bring these teams together to ensure current systems and procedures are in compliance and to review best practice recommendations.

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SECIf you’ve discovered some records or systems in use that are not being archived and you worry you are out of compliance, let us help.

We’ll do a thorough review and help you comply with the regulations and policies that govern your business. Our Compliance Services team will help you identify your data gaps, provide guidance for mitigation and introduce procedures for ongoing compliance. Let our team ensure your data is not putting your organization at risk.

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Q&A

What does your company do?

We help you manage your data.  Whether you’re a regulated firm with FINRA/SEC guidelines or your company has data retention policies for Legal, HR, IP, InfoSec, Governance or Privacy.

Our services will help you assess what you have, setup procedures to manage where and when it’s stored and accessed, and provide compliance coverage for regulated entities.  D3P and FPL services include ongoing access to our compliance consulting team.

Our software products are designed to offer flexible options for this process.  DataParser lets you collect your data from it’s source and decide where it should reside.  You can send your chats, text messaging and transcripts into your email archive and your video and audio recordings into Azure or AWS storage.  Features abound with DataParser; in use since 2001 and collecting millions of messages a day for users all over the world.

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What is SEC Rule 17a-4?

The Securities & Exchange Act of 1934 Rule 17a-4(f)(2)(ii) requires Broker Dealers to retain a Designated Third Party (D3P) for electronic records archives. D3P’s are called upon to access and assist a regulator with the production of regulatory records pursuant to a matter.

We are the leading D3P providers for US Broker Dealers.  Since we work with so many firms, we can offer a unique perspective as to what industry leaders are doing with respect to managing corporate data and maintaining regulatory compliance.

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How can DataParser help me stay in compliance?

Do you use Slack for team collaborations but your company has a legal hold requirement?  DataParser can help with that!  Collect from the source and send to your destination of choice.  Using M365 Purview or Google Vault for archiving – DataParser can handle that too!

Or maybe you’re moving to a new messaging platform?  But what about all your old data?  DataParser can help!  Collect all your data (yes, even if there is 10 years of it!) and store it wherever you want – AWS?  No problem.  Azure Blob?  Yes, that too!

What if you are using Zoom for meetings but also Slack for chats?  Also not a problem – DataParser can collect exactly the data types you need from each platform.  To go to the same location, or multiple!

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We are using Zoom and not archiving any of the data. Are we out of compliance?

Not necessarily… but you could be.  Not to worry – we can help you figure it out!

Factors like the industry you’re in and who in your company is using Zoom help us determine what data needs to be archived.

Our Compliance Services team can help you manage your data and ensure you’re complying with applicable regulations and policies.

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DataParser Supported Data Sources

DataParser is a modular software solution designed to meet Compliance, Legal, Security and IT requirements. Chats, Online Meetings, Documents, Data feeds, Collaboration Platforms and Databases are supported. DataParser handles the collection from the source, formatting of the data and delivery to an archive, eDiscovery platform or storage repository. 17a-4 partners with all data source providers to ensure continuous support of new features.  17a-4’s software team has streamlined the development of new interfaces.  Please get in contact if you are using a platform not listed below and would like us to add it to our DataParser roadmap.

Archiving Best Practices

Identify your Data

The first part of creating and managing a compliant and legally defensible archive is to ensure that you know where all your data is. This can be a tricky process. You may think, email, chats, documents, what else is there? The answer, a lot. General ledgers, Prospectuses, HR records, Marketing and Sales materials, Client Meeting Information, Databases… the list goes on.  A thorough review of systems in use and where records reside is integral to identify corporate risk.

This is not to say you necessarily want all your data in your archive, but you must know what you have and where it is, to know if you are out of compliance. Penalties that are levied for non-compliance when it comes to records preservation can be hefty.  Not knowing where all corporate data/records is puts organizations at risk for fines as well as ligation and accidental data deletion.

Create a Unified Archive

The best way to control corporate data is to bring it into one archive.  However, this is not as easy it as sounds. With many different types of data coming from many different sources, getting all of it into one location can be a complicated process. Then to decide what is the best archive software for your business.

Cloud archives seem a natural fit for cloud data sources and cloud-based email systems but an on-premise archive may make more sense when managing enterprise security policies and hybrid email environments. DataParser is designed to help with exactly these issues.

Collecting data directly from the source, maintaining the chain of custody, threading all chats, reconciling all data to users and reporting on all processes are key features of DataParser that help users manage a compliant and unified archive.

Retention and Supervision Policies

The purpose of an archive is to preserve corporate data. Once you’ve cleared the hurdle of getting your data into your archive, you’ll need to decide how best to manage it. The goal is to minimize risk and adhere to organization policies and governing regulations – most archives have multiple features to achieve this.

Retention polices can be used to designate what data gets held and for how long. Regulated users, like broker dealers, must adhere to SEC and FINRA record retention requirements and keep copies of all communications in WORM (Write Once Read Many) in the business archive.

eDiscovery processes can then be performed in the case of litigation or regulatory review. Others, like Investment Advisors, require Supervision policies and procedures in place to ensure proper adherence to governing rules.

Disposition polices that remove or delete old data are also important to consider. Not only will you keep your archival storage costs down, but you’ll also mitigate your corporate risk.

Our Partners

We work with everyone. As a middleware integration vendor, we are partners with all our data source and archive providers. We also partner with our clients’ licensing and procurement servicers for easy onboarding. We’ve done extensive work in financial compliance, so we maintain great relationships with many industry experts, consultants, advisors, and service providers that have helped our clients. We are happy to offer recommendations for services we don’t provide. Please reach out if you would like to become a partner. Here are 17a-4, we pride ourselves on being easy to work with and inclusive to all.