IT Outsourcing Security Best Practices

Intellectual property (IP) protection is one of the main concerns companies have about IT outsourcing. The first action they can take to protect themselves from IP theft is to register for trademarks, copyrights or patents. Businesses who are seeking an IT outsourcing service provider can take this a step further by evaluating the company’s reputation and the protections they offer.

Shinetech has achieved a perfect track record for IP protection for more than a decade. Here are some of our security guidelines for IP protection in IT outsourcing:

• Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA): We sign an NDA at the beginning of every business relationship to lay out the rules and responsibilities for the client and outsourcing teams. This agreement assures the client that IP security is our priority.
• IP Policy: Shinetech’s IP Protection Manual and training courses explain our IP policy and emphasize the importance of clients’ IP protection in offshore software development. All of our employees are required to sign a confidentiality contract stating that they will comply with our IP policy.
• Secure Database: We protect clients’ database products by installing them in a secure server in a blocked shelf. The database is only used for development and is only accessible to key personnel.
• Confidential Documents: We regularly account for clients’ confidential documents. The client should carefully dispose of documents that are no longer needed.
• Office Security Procedures: Every team at Shinetech’s Offshore Development Center (ODC) has their own password-protected office. Individual team members have their own computer that is also password-protected. Only the network administrator can access any of the hardware devices.

To learn more about how Shinetech’s IP policy has been a vital part of our development strategy, read the World Intellectual Property Organization’s case study.

Photo credit: Dev Arka