Security Outsourcing: How To Do It Right

You get what you pay for, especially when it comes to filling head count. It's often easier to get a piece of equipment from your CFO than to hire a highly paid full-time employee. But smart companies are using a few hired guns to get the most bang for their security buck. Although outsourcing has gotten a bad reputation in past years, it remains a viable option for the important security core function. Small businesses that might not need a full-time security professional can still benefit from a staff with decades of experience and around-the-clock coverage, without paying hefty salaries. In this installment of Affordable IT, we examine the benefits and risks of outsourcing your security team.

We show you what to consider when investigating a new vendor and provide tips on negotiating contracts. We also detail strategies for due diligence, auditing and documenting, and offer ways to partner with your outsourcing vendor successfully. Most important, we show you how to plan for a graceful exit if necessary.

Despite the trend to go with less expensive offshoring, we explain why you might want to stay on domestic soil. And we walk you through locking down critical systems to make sure your new best friend doesn't become your worst enemy. With some homework and a solid plan, a shrewd manager can keep the network secure without worrying about another new employee-orientation day--and save money in the process.

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