Strengthening Cybersecurity Defenses: How Outsourcing Bolsters Protection for Phoenix E-commerce Business

Secure your e-commerce store from hackers and unauthorized parties by hiring a BPO company in Phoenix. These service providers have the expertise, strategies, and resources to combat threat actors trying relentlessly to steal valuable information from your business. 

Outsourcing involves delegating your internet security management to a third party, but is the risk worth the rewards? 

This article explains how outsourcing to an offshore or onshore provider can bolster your company’s cybersecurity defenses and protect your e-commerce activities and transactions. 

Keep reading to learn more.

Phoenix Needs to Modernize Cybersecurity Defenses

The local government and organizations in the Valley of the Sun have faced challenges in improving their cybersecurity defenses and replacing costly and outdated cyber tools. 

This issue became more pronounced when the City of Phoenix became the active target of a foreign-backed threat actor. The group uses innovative methods to bypass conventional cybersecurity tools and procedures. 

Shannon Lawson, the city’s chief information security officer, said the relevant organizations increased their technology investments and provided training and certifications for security professionals to strengthen cybersecurity platforms. Despite these efforts, cybersecurity challenges persist. 

Tapping into the expertise and technology of third-party service providers is one way Phoenix-based organizations can boost their cybersecurity protection.

How Outsourcing Can Bolster Your E-commerce Cybersecurity Defenses

Developing, installing, and operating cybersecurity measures for your Phoenix web store requires substantial capital and human expertise. This statement especially applies to new ventures, startups, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

That said, delegating data security processes to a business process outsourcing (BPO) can be more practical than performing them in-house.

Cybersecurity outsourcing allows a BPO provider to handle your Phoenix e-commerce company’s network security and related systems, strengthening your cybersecurity defenses from digital attacks. Security management involves monitoring information technology (IT) platforms, maintaining computer systems, analyzing suspicious activities, and eliminating risks.

Established and dependable offshore and onshore BPO companies utilize technologies, tools, and professionals to oversee e-commerce customer service outsourcing, cybersecurity functions, and other back-end processes.

Do you want to know how outsourcing to a service provider can boost your Phoenix e-commerce cybersecurity defense? Keep reading.

Performing Routine Risk Assessments to Identify Online Threats 

Risk assessment can reinforce the cybersecurity defenses of your e-commerce business by analyzing your security weaknesses and the potential harm they might inflict. It provides a detailed view of your network systems from the vantage point of a cyberattacker, helping IT experts resolve dangers more efficiently.

Third-party professionals apply the following best practices when conducting threat assessments: 

• Compile a complete inventory of all IT assets. They assess your and the BPO provider’s IT resources, including software, equipment, and other system components. 
• Take security precautions. They identify security controls to reduce conceivable dangers. These measures include firewall applications, malware protection, anti-phishing solutions, in-transit and at-rest encryption, multi-factor authentication, and software for ransomware.
• Monitor and measure effectiveness. They regularly gauge risk assessment processes to track threat actors, their movements, and different hacking techniques.

In Phoenix, eight out of 10 small business websites have vulnerabilities they are unaware of, according to CyberCatch. The report stated that SMBS are typical targets because of their weak defenses.  

Implementing Strict Access Controls to Protect Critical Business Data 

Access control aims to keep sensitive data away from unauthorized users. Hacked confidential data results in unwanted customer and employee information exposure, proprietary rights losses, and financial damages.

Check out some ways third-party data security experts deploy access control for enhanced cybersecurity defenses:

• Utilize different security layers. They develop additional layers of security, such as multi-factor authentication, to advance access control and block threat actors.
• Restrict access permissions. They limit access to your system, permitting users to access only relevant sections. Doing so assists in monitoring activities in your system and reducing damage from any account breach.
• Give each user a unique username and password. They assign a login name and a secure password for better network monitoring. So whenever an issue arises, they can quickly trace back to particular users to rectify problems. 

Monitoring and Logging Activities to Quickly Address Security Issues 

Third-party IT professionals collect and review your company’s data to determine possible security issues and anomalies in network systems. They do this to immediately and preemptively resolve incidents. 

Examine the advantages of monitoring and logging activities to help boost your e-commerce cybersecurity defenses:

• Speedy recovery. Audit logs can help accelerate and optimize recovery, preventing extended downtime. They can help restore missing or damaged data files by reverse engineering the changes recorded in the logs.
• Increased identification of security breaches. Outsourced processes are not immune from threats. Monitoring and logging operations can help defend against external attacks. They also defend your system against internal data misuse, detecting problems in real time and resolving them quickly.

Encrypting Confidential Data to Prevent Unauthorized Access 

Third-party providers leverage data encryption to help fortify your organization’s cybersecurity defenses. This security measure converts plain-text data into an unreadable format only those with the correct decryption key can see. It safeguards against unlawful usage of files within and outside your business.

Outsourced IT experts use the following data encryption techniques to increase cybersecurity defenses in e-commerce processes: 

• Choose the files for encryption. Determine which data is vital to safeguard. Identify which files can hurt your brand and revenue if compromised. Client and customer identities, contact information, credit card details, and other financial records must be encrypted, regardless of your data security arrangement. 
• Regulate information access. Permit users to receive encryption keys depending on their needs. Basic employee information, for example, should only be accessible to personnel in the human resources section. However, your staff should not have access to the employees’ financial information.

Designing Incident Response Procedures to Minimize Data Breaches

Executing incident response plans is among the ways third-party IT professionals intensify cybersecurity defenses. They take proactive steps to prevent and mitigate the consequences of a data breach.

Here are some techniques the third-party cybersecurity team uses to build robust incident response protocols:

• Assemble an incident response crew. They assign members’ duties and roles during an active threat based on competencies.
• Evaluate security incidents. They utilize relevant software and monitoring tools to identify potential risks. These technologies can spot issues in real time, enabling the team to find solutions.
• Maintain control of incidents, outcomes, and intruders. They contain harmful activities during a cyberattack, assess the intensity, and safeguard critical IT assets by conducting a quick triage. 
• Remove threats. They focus on eliminating the risk using proven measures, including deleting the discovered malicious software, applying patches and updates, and adopting a more stringent and improved network setup.

Launching Security Awareness Training to Lessen Human Negligence

BPO vendors provide security awareness training to educate everyone in your organization concerning threats and how to minimize or prevent them. Being well-informed about security reduces human mistakes and negligence.

Below are some training methods that service providers use to support your cybersecurity defenses:

• Include everyone. The entire workforce must be involved and educated to cover all bases, including customer service representatives, technical support agents, and data encoders.
• Learn the fundamentals. They help trainees understand the basics of data security. Workers should remember all essential information, including password security methods, scamming, anti-phishing, and ransomware tactics. 
• Put their knowledge to the test. Quizzes, simulations, and cooperative activities are effective methods of putting the knowledge gained from ongoing training to use. The provider checks whether security awareness gets better or remains unchanged.

One example of third-party training is the partnership between the Arizona Small Business Association (ASBA) and Cybercatch. The partnership aims to educate its 3,000 members about cybersecurity. The cybersecurity awareness training tests employees with simulated phishing emails to ensure their alertness and monitoring of all network controls.

Providing Third-party Security Experts to Help Fight Cybercriminals

A reputable third-party provider can supply you with qualified cybersecurity specialists, such as:

• Computer forensic analyst
• Database administrator
• IT security specialist
• Incident manager 
• Information security analyst
• Machine learning (ML) engineers
• Malware analyst
• Network security engineer
• Security administrator
• Security consultant

These committed workers have substantial expertise in a wide range of sectors. They are well-versed in cybercriminals’ tactics, methods, and processes. Organizations of any size can benefit from having an expert’s help when assembling a diverse internal cybersecurity team. 

Forming an internal cybersecurity unit these days is difficult due to talent scarcity. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the global data security manpower deficit stands at about 2.72 million positions. The report states that this particular labor force must increase by at least 65% to match the requirements of enterprises worldwide.

Gaining top-notch cybersecurity professionals to fortify your Phoenix e-commerce cybersecurity defenses is possible with outsourcing. Service providers can quickly supply the required personnel. 

Boosting Data Compliance to Avoid Harsh Regulatory Sanctions 

The BPO partner supports your e-commerce business by adhering to government rules and industry requirements, including:

• The Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) 
• The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA)
• The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA)
• The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS)
• The Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Act

Regulatory infractions can result in penalties, litigation, negative press, and other legal, monetary, and reputational harm to your company.

Outsourced cybersecurity boosts compliance efforts to reinforce your Phoenix e-commerce site’s defenses. Here is how: 

• Find and notify potential breaches. Third-party specialists are technically proficient in examining data for inconsistencies or abnormalities that might indicate violations.
• Accelerate procedures. The latest technology and third-party specialists work together to streamline data evaluation procedures, speeding up compliance activities without sacrificing dependability. 

Covering Salary, Training, and Upfront Costs to Free up Your Budget

Discover how cybersecurity outsourcing contributes to your budget management: 

• Physical and digital resources. The BPO partner uses its physical and digital infrastructure for online security services, saving you money. Investing in more equipment, workspaces, and computer systems is optional.
• Recruitment. Partnering with a service provider specializing in customer-centric outsourcing and cybersecurity operations lowers costs. The BPO vendor performs tedious and costly tasks (e.g., talent scouting, screening, and onboarding). 
• Salaries. Hiring more workers translates to higher wage costs. The BPO provider covers these expenses, including incentives, taxes, and health insurance.
• Skills development. The BPO partner pays for staff retraining and upskilling programs to improve your e-commerce cybersecurity defenses. Upskilled third-party specialists can keep pace with the latest technological trends, online threats, data security measures, legal requirements, and industry practices.

Deploying Cost-effective, Responsible Remote Experts to Control Costs 

Offshoring providers in the Philippines and third-party vendors in Mexico and other non-U.S. outsourcing hubs offer readily available, skilled, and inexpensive work-from-home (WFH) professionals.

These remote workers have the necessary formal training, character attributes, and digital credentials to help cement cybersecurity defenses for your Phoenix e-commerce shop.

The table below compares the salaries for an information security analyst (ISA) in the Philippines, Mexico, and Phoenix (Arizona, U.S.). It gives you a basic understanding of the substantial cost reductions when offshoring or nearshoring cybersecurity services.

Source: The Philippines and Mexico salary data are from Salary Expert, while the Phoenix, Arizona (U.S.) figure is from Indeed. (Salaries were converted from Philippine pesos (PHP) and Mexican pesos (MXN) to U.S. dollars ($) for consistent comparison.)

So, if you hire an ISA from a BPO provider in the Philippines instead of getting the same expert in Phoenix, your cost savings will be $4,887.67 monthly. Note that these are estimates. Contact a BPO provider for exact costs and other related details.

Offering Scalable Cybersecurity Operations to Optimize Expenses 

The BPO provider can increase or decrease the number of third-party specialists, capabilities, or processes without affecting your e-commerce operations. It supports you in managing your business growth and budget by distributing financial resources properly.

Consider some positive attributes of scalable cybersecurity defense activities:

• Cost-efficiency. Scalability allows you to get the exact number of professionals you need to reduce personnel costs when outsourcing e-commerce services, web security, and other functions. The BPO provider can suggest optimal third-party personnel to maximize performance, save operating costs, and bolster cybersecurity defenses.
• Flexibility. Scalability means promptly reacting to changing organizational needs and demands. You can quickly adjust to the required levels to maximize opportunities. 
• Distribution. Scalability lets you distribute online security activities between the BPO provider and your internal IT support unit to strengthen cybersecurity defenses. Third-party workers run the process when your in-house staff is off duty. You gain a round-the-clock network monitoring operation.

Helping Your Business Focus on Customer Service to Gain Loyalty 

Delegating data privacy functions to solidify your Phoenix e-commerce store’s cybersecurity defenses implies that the BPO partner deals with online threats and attacks. The service provider helps you focus more on enhancing service for a higher customer experience (CX). 

Here are some benefits of consistently delivering excellent customer service while your outsourcing partner handles your cybersecurity:

• Improved brand perception. A strong brand image enables a product or service to achieve a competitive advantage in the market. It provides the company with the opportunity to strengthen its market standing.
• More positive feedback. Customers revisit your online shop to purchase more products, increasing customer retention and lowering marketing and advertising expenses.
• More significant sales. Having a BPO partner for cybersecurity concerns means you can focus on CX initiatives for a better shopping journey and increased revenue. Buyers are inclined to share their positive experiences with your business, which can bring in new buyers. 

The Bottom Line

At this stage, you should better understand how cybersecurity outsourcing can defend your online infrastructure against data breaches or intrusions. Delegating this function can be more practical than performing it in-house if you lack time, money, and expertise. 

Contact BPO providers and ask about their cybersecurity policies. Not only will they provide you with outsourced customer service tips, but they will also give you online security advice. Partnering with the right provider can help you achieve your business goals. 

Let’s connect to learn more about how outsourcing can strengthen the cybersecurity defenses of your Phoenix e-commerce business!