"... 360 degree feedback security..." When tendering for 360 Degree Feedback systems or services consideration of security and confidentiality is often overlooked or considered in insufficient detail. This is completely understandable since most HR managers have a lot more pressing issues to consider than the relative merits of https over http protocols! However the implications of inadequately specifying the management of your companies data can range from the merely irritating to loss of confidence by staff and even litigation if data is lost or maltreated. In a recent bid a client informed us that she was amazed at the number of 360-degree suppliers who had not even registered with the appropriate Data Protection Agency. As with many things in life not all 360 Degree Feedback providers are born equal, and it may well be to your benefit when considering potential providers (or even reviewing your own supplier) to ask a few judicious questions... There are several areas of security to consider; Access How secure is access to the service for your staff? How strong is the password protocol used? How flexible is the password protocol? What level of security is used for collection of data? Redundancy What back up procedures does the supplier have in place? What and where is the weakest data loss point in the system? Is data back up in real time or in batch? How many servers are available and where are they? Privacy and Consent Is the 360 Feedback data management statement clearly available to your staff? Do you need to seek consent from staff to proceed with 360 degree systems? Do you provide opportunity for staff to decline to proceed? Is your supplier registered with the appropriate Data Protection Agency? Where is the supplier’s commitment to Data Protection located? Confidentiality Who has access to staff’s feedback? What purpose is the data used for? Is the data accessed by any staff other than the respondents? How do you convince staff that their feedback is treated with respect and confidentiality? Resilience What happens when internet connection is lost? How quickly can the system be available when there is loss of service? What is the possible worst case data loss scenario? Depending on your business size and 360 degree feedback software need some or all of the above may be relevant to you. If you have any concerns about the level of security required for your business, or have any other questions about 360 degree feedback systems or services we would be delighted to help in any way we can…. CR360 – providing 360 Feedback since 1997.