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Outsource Your Data Center (continued)

IT managers also experience a loss of control when the data crosses the firewall into a hosted environment. Says Bracco, "One of the things they are completely unsure about is how they are going to be able to track access and data bleed. Is that hosted environment really complying with the regulatory requirements of their industry?"

Caveat Emptor
Before you jump to a hosted data center, do a thorough due diligence. Is the vendor in a secure financial position? Does it provide quality products and services? Can the vendor show actual results it has delivered? Are they going to store sensitive information somewhere safe from hackers? How solid are the vendor's business continuity and disaster recovery services? How does the vendor deal with employee attrition?

When customers consider outsourcing, DiDio always advises them to have a liaison in the IT department who works closely with the outsourcer to determine what they're doing, if they're doing it correctly and whether they are doing it in the most efficient manner. "You need to be kept apprised and abreast of what you're hosting and ask them for the appropriate depth in the reports," she says. "You want to hear about the latest updates in hardware and the corrective action they took if there was a problem."

In the final analysis, bear in mind that just because equipment moves outside the physical walls doesn't mean you relinquish overall management for it. "This is a live, ongoing investment,'' DiDio says. "Your data is still your primary asset, so you have to take responsibility."

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