Risks in Outsourcing IT Support Services

There are risks involved in outsourcing IT support services to 3rd third party vendor. However, there are many ways that you can manage and migitate risks.

Risk #1 – Over-Dependence on vendor recommendation

• How to overcome?
  • Need to put check and balance in place like a secondary source of IT Advisers

Risk #2 – Control may be lost

• How to overcome?
  • Insist on proper and up-to-date documentation on process like onboarding/departing employee, disaster recovery planning

Risk #3 – Locked In by Vendor

• How to overcome?
  • Insist on proper and up-to-date documentation on network diagram and credentials of all IT Assets

Risk #4 – Vendor Complacency

• How to overcome?
  • Review Service Level Agreement
  • Ask for User Service Feedback
  • Ask for quarterly review of IT infrastructure and recommendation

Risk #5 – Information Theft/Breach of Trust

• How to overcome?
  • Sign NDA (Non-Disclosure Agreement)
  • Limit Confidential Access
  • Maintain Logs of Access/Activities