Submission + - Why should I trust my network administrator? 4
Andrew writes: Slashdotters, I need guidance. I'm a manager at a startup, and decided recently to outsource to an outside IT firm to set up a network domain and file server. Trouble is, they (and all other IT companies we could find) insist on administering it all remotely. They now obviously have full access to all our data and PC's, and I'm concerned they could steal all our intellectual property, source code and customers. Am I being overly paranoid and resistant to change? Should we just trust our administrator because they have a reputation to uphold? Or should we lock them out and make them administer the network in person so we can stand behind and watch them?
Overly Paranoid (Score:2)
Trouble is, they (and all other IT companies we could find) insist on administering it all remotely.
Yes, of course. If you make them do it in person, there suddenly is no such thing as a five-minute fix. Even the smallest task gets round-trip driving time added to it, and they also can't kick off a long job and then do stuff for other customers with that running in the background. So it would probably cost a significant fraction of just hiring someone yourselves (ie, a bit over 1/5 if you agree to only have them once a week, more if you need more than that).
They now obviously have full access to all our data and PC's, and I'm concerned they could steal all our intellectual property, source code and customers.
So? What would they do with this (other than get
Trust your bank? (Score:2)
Or should we lock them out and make them administer the network in person so we can stand behind and watch them?"
Do you trust your bank with your money? Even though they don't keep it at your business and you can't stand behind them and watch what they do with it? Your fortune is at stake. Why do you trust them?
Do you trust your grocer to give you clean, fresh meats? Even though you can't go in the back,
see how they're stored and watch them being cut? Your health is at stake. Why do you trust them?
Do you tr
Trust or replace, there is no middle ground. (Score:2)
This goes for an outsourced IT department, or internal.
You have to trust someone to some degree. (Score:2)
An in-house network administrator is just as capable of copying your data as someone off-site.