10 security questions to ask your search provider | Algolia

In the 1980s, American Tourister ran luggage ads with gorillas tossing around suitcases to demonstrate their product's resilience. Similarly, software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications are designed by engineers to handle various forms of abuse such as brute force attacks and data leakage. Security is crucial for protecting data, company intellectual property, brand reputation, and more. The average cost of a data breach globally is $4.35 million. Many software buyers lack the knowledge or resources to understand security best practices in place, often only considering security near the end of the buying cycle. It's essential to consider security from the start when evaluating any software. When assessing search providers or other SaaS products, here are ten questions to ask about their security practices: 1. Is data stored on premises or in the cloud? 2. Who is responsible for securing your data? 3. What encryption technology and compliance standards are used? 4. How does the provider maintain transparency regarding security measures? 5. Does the provider have a dedicated security team working with engineers and product managers to review product architecture and related infrastructure? 6. Is the provider compliant with international and/or local laws, as well as strict customer requirements? 7. What happens to your data if you switch providers? 8. How does the provider manage access control and secure API key management? 9. Does the provider have a shared security channel for reporting incidents or concerns? 10. Are all employees made aware of possible risks, responsibilities, and security best practices? Security should be designed into software from day one, with continuous monitoring and testing to ensure ongoing security. It's essential to look for transparency in a provider's security measures when evaluating their services.