Data Security

Data security in translation refers to the comprehensive measures taken to protect confidential, sensitive, and personally identifiable information throughout the translation process. When documents are sent for translation, they often contain commercially sensitive, legally privileged, or personally identifiable information that must be handled with the same security standards applied to any other business process involving sensitive data.

Key data security considerations in translation include secure file transfer protocols for transmitting documents between client and provider, access controls ensuring only authorised translators and reviewers can view project content, encryption of data both in transit and at rest, secure translation environments that prevent data leakage, retention and deletion policies governing how long translated content is stored, and physical security of facilities where translation work is performed.

ISO 27001 certification provides an internationally recognised framework for information security management in translation. Organisations holding this certification have demonstrated systematic approaches to managing sensitive information, including risk assessment, security controls, incident management, and continuous improvement processes.

The rise of machine translation and AI tools has introduced new data security considerations. Content processed through free or consumer-grade MT engines may be stored, analysed, or used to train AI models, creating potential exposure for confidential information. Professional translation providers with proper security infrastructure mitigate these risks.

LEXIGO holds ISO 27001 certification, ensuring that all client content is handled within a certified information security management system with comprehensive controls for data protection, access management, and secure processing.

Translation inherently involves sharing sensitive content with third parties. Without proper security measures, this creates exposure for trade secrets, patient records, legal documents, financial data, and personal information. A data breach through a translation provider can have the same consequences as a breach through any other vendor in your supply chain.

For organisations in regulated industries — healthcare, finance, government, legal — ensuring their translation provider meets appropriate security standards is a compliance obligation, not just a best practice. ISO 27001 certification provides verifiable assurance that security is managed systematically.