RoboForm's Technical Foundations: Software Development and Data Privacy
Siber Systems, the innovative company behind RoboForm, operates at the intersection of software development and data privacy. The recent transformation of their subscription model and the expansion of their professional business offering highlight their commitment to evolving user needs while maintaining robust security standards. In this article, we explore Siber Systems' technical architecture, from local data storage options to their sophisticated server-side monitoring system, and examine how their development requirements enable seamless cross-platform functionality. Through an analysis of their data collection practices and privacy framework, we uncover the technical foundations that power RoboForm's password management solutions while maintaining user trust in the digital age.
Siber Systems, Inc., operating from 3701 Pender Drive in Fairfax, Virginia, oversees the development and management of RoboForm products. The company's data privacy practices align with the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and its Swiss extension, demonstrating a commitment to international data protection standards.
Personal data collection occurs during account management and activation processes, including Email, Phone Number, Full Name, and Payment Information. Product-specific data, such as Order ID, Computer ID, and Product Version, also requires user input. Siber's servers in the USA data center store this information, with limited third-party disclosures primarily for payment processing through Stripe and email services via MailChimp and IBM Watson.
RoboForm offers two primary data storage options: Local-only and Synchronized storage. The Local-only option prevents password data from being transmitted over the Internet, while the Synchronized option stores data on both local devices and Siber's server. The company actively monitors license validity through online checks approximately once daily, automatically suggesting software updates when available.
The technical support team, operating from Siber's Fairfax location, handles customer inquiries through a comprehensive ticketing system. Software development spans multiple platforms, with client-side teams working in TypeScript/JS and HTML/CSS for browser integration. Server-side development requires C++ and MySQL database programming expertise, while client-side storage development focuses on C and C++ for Windows and macOS systems.
RoboForm offers multiple subscription-based licensing options to accommodate both individual users and businesses. The company's most popular offering is RoboForm Premium, which recently replaced the previous RoboForm Everywhere subscription. This premium plan provides access on all devices, web-based access, secure shared folders, emergency access features, data breach monitoring, local-only storage options, and priority 24/7 support. Pricing starts at $2.66 per month when billed annually.
For business use, RoboForm offers the For Business license, which requires separate annual payment for each employee account. This professional version includes all features available in RoboForm Premium plus additional business-specific capabilities. The company also maintains a freemium model with a basic free plan allowing access on a single device, basic password management features, and essential security tools.
The company's licensing structure supports various deployment models, including desktop installations and portable disk usage. Each computer, whether running a single operating system or multiple instances (including virtual machines), requires its own license. Minor updates are included at no additional cost, while major version upgrades require a new license purchase with a different major version number.
The technical support team handles customer inquiries through a comprehensive ticketing system, addressing issues across all product lines including RoboForm and GoodSync. Available support services encompass technical question answering, account management, proof of concept setup, training, custom script development, and new release testing.
The customer support structure also assists account managers with documentation generation, including quotes and invoices, while managing the company's sales pipeline activities using a CRM system. Technical support specialists require a blend of technical skills and customer service expertise, handling everything from basic troubleshooting to complex deployment scenarios for the company's multi-platform applications.
For developers working on the client-side of RoboForm applications, the company requires experience in TypeScript/JS and HTML/CSS for browser integration, particularly for Google Chrome and MS Edge extensions. This development work builds on expertise in client-side GUI development, MySQL or relational database programming, and client-server integration.
Server-side development for RoboForm applications requires expertise in C++ programming, working with MySQL databases, and TCP/IP architecture. The client-side storage development role demands C and C++ skills for Windows and macOS systems, with experience in Windows/Linux drivers essential for robust application functionality across operating systems. This technical support structure supports a comprehensive range of customer needs, from basic usage questions to complex deployment challenges.
Developers working on RoboForm applications require specific technical expertise across multiple platforms. The client-side development team, which handles browser integration for Chrome and MS Edge, needs experience in TypeScript/JS and HTML/CSS, building on skills in client-side GUI development, MySQL or relational database programming, and client-server integration.
Server-side development demands C++ programming alongside MySQL or relational database expertise and TCP/IP architecture knowledge. Client-side storage development requires C and C++ skills for Windows and macOS systems, with additional expertise in Windows/Linux drivers essential for robust application functionality across operating systems.
This comprehensive technical requirement structure supports both client-side browser integration and server-side development needs for RoboForm applications. The development ecosystem spans three primary groups: client-side software developers for browser integration, server-side application developers for backend processing, and client-side storage developers for local data management across operating systems.
RoboForm collects detailed usage data during activation and monitoring processes, using online checks and automatic version updates to enforce licensing terms. This data is stored on Siber's servers for purchase, refund, chargeback tracking, license activation/reactivation, and customer service purposes. Personal data stored on servers is not shared with other companies or individuals unless required by business processes or for enforcement of the License Agreement, with recipients expected to handle data appropriately.
The company uses online activation monitoring for all RoboForm licenses, which involves checking license validity by contacting Siber's server at *.roboform.com via the Internet. Additionally, RoboForm checks Siber's server approximately once a day for new versions, transmitting computer and license data to Siber's server when a newer version is found. This transmission occurs regardless of synchronization status.