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Concern Over Data Security on the Rise in Outsourcing Industry Santa Clara, California
The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP), the global, standard-setting organization and advocate for the outsourcing profession, joined with a leading provider of security solutions for protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access in conducting a survey of attendees at Feb 20th’s Outsourcing World Summit in Orlando, Florida. The results pointed to increasing concerns over data security while outsourcing. The industry's elite, including the global membership of the IAOP gathered to share knowledge, conduct professional learning activities, and strengthen relationships. The conference was standing room only and its attendance shattered previous Outsourcing World Summit records, reflecting the current surge of outsourcing activities in today’s marketplace. Attendance was a veritable who’s who of today’s outsourcing players, with representatives from the following companies exhibiting in attendance: Johnson & Johnson, Bell Canada, Sara Lee, Microsoft, Proctor & Gamble, Accenture, HP, Wipro, Janus Associates, Booz Allen Hamilton, Pitney Bowes, Boeing, and more.
Vormetric is a current IAOP Corporate Member and chairs the IAOP’s new Data Security Chapter. As part of the Data Security Chapter activities at the summit, Vormetric surveyed over 100 attendees and exhibitors, including service providers and outsourcing customers. According to the survey, more than 90% of the respondents stated that data security breaches that occurred while outsourcing would be “catastrophic” to their business. In addition, when it came to compliance, there was confusion on who is responsible for data security -- the service provider or the customer. Fifty percent said both service providers and customers are responsible, while 30% believe the customer is responsible, and 20% believe service providers are responsible. The survey results are in line with recent survey data from analyst firm Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) earlier in 2006 where they found that confidential data was the most vulnerable to insider attacks -- with the highest vulnerabilities attributed to employees, contractors and outsourcing partners.
"The need to protect confidential data cuts across companies large and small, within every industry," said Jon Oltsik, Senior Analyst, Information Security. "The results of our research data shed new light on the need for all organizations to protect against the insider threat, and the importance of including contractors and third-party affiliates as insiders in today's global marketplace."
“LASON customers place a high value on our commitment to securing their critical data and documents,” said Trevor Brown, Chief Marketing Officer at LASON, a pioneer in providing business process outsourcing (BPO) solutions with over 7,500 employees and 35 service centers in the U.S., Canada, China, India and Mexico. “Accuracy, privacy and security rank at the top of their list when evaluating service providers for critical BPO business functions. The results from the survey confirm what our customers tell us: that service providers need to build data security into their business including best practices and data security products such as those offered by Vormetric.”
"Our survey underscores the need for outsourcing professionals to have a sound data security strategy -- both service providers and their customers" said Tom Grubb, Vormetric Vice President, Marketing and Chapter Chair of the IAOP’s Data Security Chapter. "All threats to sensitive or regulated customer data while its entrusted to a service provider ultimately undermines trust, and therefore threatens the business relationship between provider and customer.”
About IAOP
The International Association of Outsourcing Professionals (IAOP) is the global, standard-setting organization and advocate for the outsourcing profession. IAOP’s global membership encompasses almost 250 organizations from around the world representing almost every industry segment and functional activity. In total, more than 38,000 individuals working in the field of outsourcing are members or subscribers.
About Vormetric
Vormetric is a leading provider of solutions for protecting enterprise information from unauthorized access or theft. The company's CoreGuard system is a single, scalable and manageable system for data privacy and protection that enables businesses and government agencies to control who, what, when, where and how people can access sensitive information. CoreGuard protects intellectual property and enables enterprises to comply with increasingly strict data privacy and system integrity regulations. Founded in 2001, Vormetric is a privately held company with headquarters in Santa Clara, California. More information is available at www.vormetric.com
About LASON
LASON Systems, Inc. (www.lason.com) enables organizations to secure their decisions and their future by improving business processes through outsourced services in industries that are data and document-intensive, such as financial services and healthcare where accuracy, privacy and security are top concerns. Our customized solutions provide substantial and identifiable cost savings. LASON's integrated suite of solutions utilizes the latest technology surrounding data input, scanning, digital storage, retrieval and delivery of sensitive data and documents to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of back-office and administrative functions.