4 Ways to Reduce Security Risks When Outsourcing IT Support

In this day and age, the web and cloud computing technology have significantly made IT outsourcing much easier. The practice of outsourcing has been favored by a lot of business owners, as it increases revenues yet reduces their costs, improves their operations, and secures their IT infrastructure, among many other benefits.

However, partnering with the wrong provider can result in losses, which would greatly affect the business. Therefore, it’s important to have knowledge on the concept of outsourcing, especially for first-time outsourcers.

Another crucial factor included in IT outsourcing is risking your company’s security and data privacy and ownership by allowing a third party to look into your confidential data, access your networks, and take over vital business functions that may lead to the possible occurrence of data breaches.

In fact, some business owners consider this as a hindrance in pushing through the outsourcing task because of all its potential jeopardies. But, you can turn things around by knowing the ways which you can reduce security risks should you proceed with outsourcing your IT support.

 

Internal Audit

 

Having an internal audit can be beneficial for your company, considering that an IT infrastructure remains as is until it undergoes an IT audit.

With an internal audit, he/she can oversee your partnership with a provider by reviewing your third-party’s identification, due diligence, selection and onboarding processes, and control.

Closely monitoring all the regulatory developments associated with the provider, ensuring consistency of the right-to-audit clauses, enforcing compliance by the third-party with your business’ security standards, and developing and implementing an unceasing tracking system for data are included in an internal audit’s duties.

 

Evaluate Capabilities

 

As mentioned, associating with the wrong outsourcing provider can be your biggest business mistake. Keep in mind to not be hasty when selecting one, and perform a thorough evaluation when it comes to their capabilities, standards, and all things included.

By knowing their processes, the systems they implement for each situation, and how they handle challenges would give you an idea of how your relationship would go about in the long haul, as well as a peace of mind that there would be no security-related risks.

It’s also important to gauge if these fit your needs. Inquire if they are open to adjustments or customizations to have a smooth outsourcing throughout.

You may use the Cloud Security Alliance provided by various standard bodies in performing your assessment as a reference.

 

Pay Attention to Individuals

 

Aside from heeding the partner, take notice of the individuals too.

Carry out background checks on people and understand the differences in their profiles, behaviors, and expertise to determine certain issues. Their educational background, previous employment, criminal record, and even a drug screening can tell a lot about them and affect your decision.

By doing such, you’ll be able to implement stronger controls for using subcontractors in the operation, and of course, ensure your company’s security.

 

Gauge Flexibility

 

Grasp how your third-party adjusts to certain circumstances such as the changing security environment. An emergence of security risks is inevitable in the digital age. Thus, the importance of knowing how to combat these attacks is crucial.

Know if they have security measures in place and if they can devise strategies should they encounter security breaches.

Ideally, security should be among their fundamentals and expertise, and not something that is treated as an emergency.

While these are just four of the many ways to reduce IT security-related risks, these can suffice your business needs and ensure that you’re getting your money’s worth.