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Outsourcing of non-core business functions and contracting
with third parties for
their special knowledge, skills, and services requires
a greater level of information
and resource sharing. Contractor access is often needed
for extended time periods–
weeks, months, or even years – and with greater levels
of access to network resources
and sensitive or proprietary information.
Network access requirements vary depending on the type
of work or projects being
outsourced. For example, some contractors are brought in
for ad hoc, quick-turn
tactical projects; some are brought in for recurring projects,
and still others are
brought in as a ‘staff extension’ to augment
regular staff for an extended period of
time.
Ad hoc projects typically require contractors to access
specific systems for a limited
time. For example, a specialist may be hired for two weeks
to enhance the use of sales
force automation software. During this time the specialist
requires authorized access
to the enterprise network and the sales force automation
system itself.
Regularly scheduled projects or recurring tasks, such
as periodic asset inventories
or quarterly financial audits, have similar needs for contractor
access to enterprise
systems for short time periods. Depending on the project,
contractors may require
enhanced access privileges to internal data and systems.
Long-term projects may require contractors who are effectively
an extension to the
enterprise’s own staff, though they are not direct
employees. These users often work
side-by-side with regular employees and access many of
the same internal network
resources during projects that may last for several months
or even a year or more.
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