Right — for the most part.
Product companies go to great lengths to secure consumer data. As many companies store sensitive user data in production, this is mainly where the security measures are focused. But many of them overlook the importance of protecting data in non-production areas. These include test, development, and quality assurance environments — areas where production data is commonly exported. (Click to tweet!) A user with privileged access, or a hacker, can enter these environments and quickly wreak havoc.
When you start software testing outsourcing with a new QA partner, you introduce risk. Because this external partner will have access to all of your environments, you need to ensure that they’re trustworthy, backed by plenty of experience and a strong track record, and able to demonstrate their full suite of security measures.
Here are five steps that any qualified QA partner will take to keep your application and data safe.
Your partner should actively work to minimize risk wherever possible. From paper record storage to even the simplest digital transmission, your partner needs to have an industry-standard solution for everything. Common best practices include:
A great QA partner recognizes that not all user data is equal, and that highly sensitive information such as bank account numbers, social security numbers, credit card details, and personal identification numbers need to be locked down vigilantly. All of these areas are considered finite and structured, as there are only a few systems which can modify or update them. Learn the essentials of financial domain testing here.
After these areas are secured, unstructured information such as contracts, financial releases, and customer correspondence can be handled.
When you’re shopping around for a QA provider, a strong track record, high client retention rate, and years of experience are all good indicators of their quality. But your provider must also be willing to go out on a limb and invest the time and energy required to learn your product, business, and market.
They should be ready to learn and document how confidential user information flows throughout the organization -- from marketing and sales through to product and support. Additionally, they should familiarize themselves with best practices used within the market and competitors’ approach.
Building an application for the healthcare or financial industry? You should ensure that your partner performs the following best practices for these domains, including:
The goal is to keep your data safe, no matter where within your system it is being stored. Enacting the following safeguards will help reduce your vulnerability at every access point.
Stakes are high for product companies working in the financial and healthcare sectors. One small slip-up can result in compromised data, unhappy customers, a PR nightmare, and a huge blow to your reputation. For all of these reasons, it pays to work with a QA partner who has plenty of experience in your specific industry and a robust security infrastructure.
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