Could Outsourcing Cyber Security Be Weakening Your Cyber Defence?

While outsourcing cyber security can be beneficial to our businesses in terms of cost savings, it can open us to the potential of weakened defenses.

Why Are Our Defences Weakened by Outsourcing?

When we outsource any aspect of our business we are naturally reducing our own control over the outcome and with electronic data our exposure comes from two distinct angles. First, we are putting our trust in people who are not direct employees of our company and we are allowing more individuals access to our business systems. Second, we will often store data off-site on hardware which we do not have direct control over in terms of security.

Both elements expose us to risk and in the process create more points of potential access for hackers and people who may wish to commit fraud.

While this is an unwelcome scenario, outsourcing need not lead to loss and there are many ways to guard your information and to ensure security for your sensitive data and that of your clients.

Security Steps for Outsourcing

First, it is important that you have faith in the engineers who you are outsourcing to. For any work on your infrastructure choose a service company which employs only well qualified and experienced staff who are carefully vetted. This takes the responsibility out of your hands and places it squarely on your provider.

Second, if you are storing data off-site in the cloud you should check your provider offers guarantees in the following areas:

– All data should be encrypted, both while it is being stored and in transit. If encryption is in place, even if the cloud provider were to experience a breach, your sensitive data should remain secure. In addition, the provider should implement internal measures which include: firewalls; user identification methods; anti-virus detection; and regular security audits.

– Ask about downtime and what the cloud provider offers in terms of a guarantee, preferably they should offer close to 100% uptime.

– What promises do they make if data is lost or breached? Consider their Service Level Agreement (SLA) concerning data loss and ask them about their history; whether they have ever experienced major loss; what steps they take to mitigate data loss; and what compensation is in place should the worst happen?

Finally, it should be remembered that while a breach can occur when you are outsourcing cyber security you also need to remain vigilant in-house. This starts with carrying out background and reference checks on any staff who will have direct access to your systems. These staff members should also be required to sign NDAs which protect the business still further and which make it clear to staff the level of care they need to take.

Your own in-house protection of data should also be assessed and robust firewalls, anti-virus software and secure password protection need to be non-negotiable elements of your business. When it comes to financial data, put in place additional security measures with your bank, so for example they are required to speak to a senior member of your staff before any substantial invoices are paid or if requests for movement of large sums of money are made.

While there is some additional level of risk to outsourcing cyber security this is often equalled by the benefits it brings. Therefore, implement the additional measures outlined above and you can be reassured that your own sensitive data and that of your clients and employees will remain as secure as possible. Furthermore, carry out regular audits to look for any new exposure to risk and continually assess your policies to make sure that your security measures remain relevant in an ever evolving cyber security landscape.

Helen has a passion for technology and business and enjoys sharing her knowledge and expertise with others. She has worked in the IT industry for over fifteen years and likes to spend her spare time writing and blogging about new developments in the industry.