Over the next year, about 70% of enterprises are going to adopt cloud computing, making it clear that the way businesses work is changing entirely. Everyone is now part of a global market, and with this comes the growing need for access to Internet of Things (IoT) devices. While these changes are fascinating, they’re also concerning. Experts are predicting that 2017 is going to be the year of the IoT-based DDoS attack, potentially spelling disaster for multiple industries that rely so heavily on these new technologies. Consequently, enterprises are looking for ways to protect themselves from these attacks, and they’re looking to China to do it.
China is the second most outsourced market in the world. Aside from having a vast, educated workforce, they’re also a hub for technology innovation. As such, some American companies are hiring entire security operations departments out of China. But they’re not doing it themselves. Instead, they’re doing their hiring through third-party screening companies, and, unfortunately, not all these screening companies are created equally. If you’re thinking about outsourcing your tech security to China, this is what you need to know about picking the right firm to represent you overseas.
What to Look for in third-party Screeners
You need to first consider the risk that comes with using the wrong third-party screening company. In some cases, if your company doesn’t do its due diligence, it could be held liable for mistakes made by those screeners. Consider controversies that have surrounded Wal-Mart through the years. At several points in the 2000s, Wal-Mart was accused of using illegal workers. Almost every time, the company argued the hiring was due to a poor third-party screener. But when it comes to public perception, it doesn’t matter if a third party did it, as they were still working under your name when the problem occurred. It is simply a fact that larger companies attract more press and not all the press is positive.
Using third-party screeners who don’t observe appropriate hiring practices only exacerbates the problem. If you’re thinking about outsourcing security to China, you will need to diligently research the third-party screening company you choose to work with. Few companies have the resources needed to hire in the Chinese market without direct connections.
You need to use a company that caters to the technology sector and has proven experience hiring in the Chinese market. Specifically, they should have the following:
- Staff fluent in both Mandarin and Cantonese – Mandarin is the official language of China, but Cantonese is still spoken in some metropolitan areas like Hong Kong.
- A business license in China – A company hiring in China should have a location in China.
- Social Compliance (BSCI) Certification – This certifies that the company meets social compliance standards under Chinese regulations.
- Full background check services – This list includes anything you’d do for an American employee, so local and regional criminal background checks are necessary, but personal references and reference checks will be key. China does not have a nationwide credit scoring system, so credit report verifications aren’t something that can be used to assess candidates. A good third-party screening firm will offer direct reference interviews to verify credentials.
- Technical verification services – This is especially true in the IT security industry. Many IT certifications are global. For example, one of the highest designations, the Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) is one which is awarded globally. Technical certifications are generally the easiest to verify.
- Technology services for deep vetting candidates – This includes the ability to do database, social media, and online records searches for deeper-level background checks. Other technology like Remote Risk Assessment (RRA) may be used as part of the vetting process.
In some cases, these third parties may work with vendors to provide specific services. However, the brunt of the services should come directly from the third-party screener.
Third-party Screeners Using RRA Technology
Third-party screeners are rapidly adding RRA to their process when verifying candidate information because it’s an easy-to-use technology which allows them to assess candidate risk levels without the need for backup records.
Consider the case of someone who has lived in China all their life, but has moved regions several times. The candidate may have committed a crime, but the records can’t be found due to a limited central records system. RRA is unique because it can help identify prior criminal activity the candidate may not have been caught for by identifying a higher risk level when compared to non-criminal applicants.
RRA works via interview. The candidate calls into a phone system where they are sent to an automated interview. The system asks them several questions such as, “Have you ever stolen from an employer?” The candidate then answers this series of yes or no questions. Their answer is recorded and transferred to a biometric response analysis system that assesses risk. This is all done in real time and can present a good overview of a candidate’s risk level, even when records have not indicated a potential problem.
The best third-party screeners are beginning to offer this RRA technology as an option. However, if the third-party screening company you’re working with doesn’t, you can ask them to implement it as an option. It can be set up and integrated seamlessly, allowing you to continue with the hiring process.
Clearspeed offers this RRA solution on a global basis and in any language; interviews are completed generally in under ten minutes. Our solution offers you a risk heat map to help you navigate the hiring process, so that you can hire responsibly even when doing so through a third party. Contact us today to learn more about our technology and services.
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