| Not only big business but also small business can | | | | sensitive data provided to offshore vendor because |
| outsource their work. Outsourcing increases the | | | | most of them can't afford costly but good quality |
| efficiency of work. Several security issues linked with | | | | security software |
| outsourcing. This is especially applicable to small | | | | 6. Emphasis must be given to data storage, information |
| business where business processes outsource (BPO) | | | | sharing policies and training procedures for the |
| management is not efficient or effective. Small | | | | outsourced team or they may lead to inadvertent |
| businesses must take security as a key issue during | | | | misuse or mishandling of information. |
| the planning stage itself to protect their business critical | | | | 7. It is vital that the number of people who will handle |
| data. | | | | the business data and information in the outsource |
| Following are top ten security risks small business | | | | provider's office is known to the small business. Issues |
| should know: | | | | such as the personal security of the service provider, |
| 1. Collecting information is one which will keep you at | | | | security against industrial espionage and other such |
| an edge over your rivals and vice versa. Business | | | | issues need to be adequately addressed. Simple |
| process outsourcing is nothing else than sharing | | | | issues such as if employees in the BPO vendor's |
| information with your outsourcing partner. Thus only | | | | office can take home information that they have |
| credentials and reputation of the company should not | | | | worked on or if sub-contractors will have access to |
| matter | | | | the small business information need to be dealt with |
| 2. Since the files are transferred electronically to | | | | before the outsourcing contract is signed |
| outsource service providers so it should be handled | | | | 8. If the company you are outsourcing to is not |
| with care to get high end security. Software used | | | | professionally capable of handling the job that they are |
| must give high security otherwise you are placing you | | | | entrusted with then this can lead to confusion and |
| company and business at risk. | | | | increased security risk. For instance any certified public |
| 3. Often the employees of the company you are | | | | accountant would know that the financial information |
| outsourcing to may not be aware of the security | | | | of a business and the manner in which they are |
| software and thereby leave your business information | | | | processed has dramatic affects on its tax issues and |
| vulnerable. | | | | the manner in which its budget is planned and |
| 4. Most often the data that needs to be processed by | | | | earmarked. |
| the service provider is confidential and if it is not | | | | 9. Legal system of both the companies country must |
| handled in a secure manner it may be considered as | | | | be check thoroughly otherwise you may |
| an invasion of privacy. This is especially true when the | | | | Face problem with the contract. |
| information includes names, addresses, social security | | | | 10. Though there are no security, privacy, and auditing |
| numbers and credit card information of clients and | | | | standards exist that can be followed in BPO projects, |
| employees | | | | small businesses should come up with an overall |
| 5. Small businesses are liable for any misuse of | | | | security framework they require for their project. |