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BOARD OF GOVERNORS
OF THE
FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
WASHINGTON, D. C.  20551
DIVISION OF BANKING
SUPERVISION AND REGULATION

SR 00-17 (SPE)
November 30, 2000
TO THE OFFICER IN CHARGE OF SUPERVISION AND APPROPRIATE
SUPERVISORY AND EXAMINATION STAFF AT EACH FEDERAL
RESERVE BANK AND TO EACH DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN BANKING
ORGANIZATION SUPERVISED BY THE FEDERAL RESERVE
SUBJECT:  

Guidance on the Risk Management of Outsourced
Technology Services

                    
The federal banking agencies recently issued the attached supplemental guidance
on the risk management of outsourced technology services. Banking organizations should
consider this guidance within the context of their assessment of the scope and importance of
the outsourced services to their enterprise, as well as the risks resulting from those services.
This new guidance contains many of the same sound practices and recommendations set forth
in SR letter 00-4, "Outsourcing of Information and Transaction Processing," which was issued
by the Federal Reserve on February 29, 2000. The interagency guidance provides banking
organizations with additional specific information that may be useful to consider on topics
relevant to their outsourcing risk management practices.
                    
The interagency guidance focuses on the risk management process of identifying,
measuring, monitoring, and controlling the risks associated with outsourcing technology
services. While outsourcing can improve banking services, help control costs, and provide the
technical assistance needed to maintain and expand product offerings, it also introduces
additional risks that need to be addressed. The guidance includes four key elements to address
those risks: risk assessment, service provider selection, contract provisions and review, and
ongoing service provider monitoring. The guidance also includes an appendix that provides
examples of considerations that may be relevant in the areas of due diligence in selecting a
service provider, contracting issues, and ongoing service provider monitoring.
                    
This supervisory guidance should be shared with banking organizations. If you
have any questions, please contact Heidi Richards, Manager, Specialized Activities, (202) 4522598 or Mike Wallas, Supervisory Financial Analyst, (202) 452-2081.

Richard Spillenkothen
Director
Attachment (35 KB PDF)
Cross Reference:  SR 00-4 (SUP)

SR letters | 2000
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Risk Management of Outsourced Technology Services
November 28, 2000

Purpose and Background
This statement focuses on the risk management process of identifying, measuring, monitoring,
and controlling the risks associated with outsourcing technology services. 1 Financial institutions
should consider the guidance outlined in this statement and the attached appendix in managing
arrangements with their technology service providers. 2 While this guidance covers a broad range
of issues that financial institutions should address, each financial institution should apply those
elements based on the scope and importance of the outsourced services as well as the risk to the
institution from the services.
Financial institutions increasingly rely on services provided by other entities to support an array
of technology-related functions. While outsourcing to affiliated or nonaffiliated entities can help
financial institutions manage costs, obtain necessary expertise, expand customer product
offerings, and improve services, it also introduces risks that financial institutions should address.
This guidance covers four elements of a risk management process: risk assessment, selection of
service providers, contract review, and monitoring of service providers. 3
Risk Assessment
The board of directors and senior management are responsible for understanding the risks
associated with outsourcing arrangements for technology services and ensuring that effective risk
management practices are in place. As part of this responsibility, the board and management
should assess how the outsourcing arrangement will support the institution’s objectives and
strategic plans and how the service provider’s relationship will be managed. Without an
effective risk assessment phase, outsourcing technology services may be inconsistent with the
institution’s strategic plans, too costly, or introduce unforeseen risks.
1

The FFIEC Information Systems Examination Handbook is a reference source that contains further discussion and
explanation of a number of concepts addressed in this FFIEC guidance.
2
Technology service providers encompass a broad range of entities including but not limited to affiliated entities,
nonaffiliated entities, and alliances of companies providing products and services. This may include but is not
limited to: core processing; information and transaction processing and settlement activities that support banking
functions such as lending, deposit-taking, funds transfer, fiduciary, or trading activities; Internet related services;
security monitoring; systems development and maintenance; aggregation services; digital certification services, and
call centers.
3
The federal banking agencies have authority to regulate and examine services provided to insured depository
institutions under 12 U.S.C. 1867(c), 12 U.S.C. 1786(a), and 12 U.S.C. 1464(d)(7).

Page 2 of 3

Outsourcing of information and transaction processing and settlement activities involves risks
that are similar to the risks that arise when these functions are performed internally. Risks
include threats to security, availability and integrity of systems and resources, confidentiality of
information, and regulatory compliance. In addition, the nature of the service provided, such as
bill payment, funds transfer, or emerging electronic services, may result in entities performing
transactions on behalf of the institution, such as collection or disbursement of funds, that can
increase the levels of credit, liquidity, transaction, and reputation risks. 4
Management should consider additional risk management controls when services involve the use
of the Internet. The broad geographic reach, ease of access, and anonymity of the Internet
require close attention to maintaining secure systems, intrusion detection and reporting systems,
and customer authentication, verification, and authorization. Institutions should also understand
that the potential risks introduced are a function of a system’s structure, design and controls and
not necessarily the volume of activity.
An outsourcing risk assessment should consider the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Strategic goals, objectives, and business needs of the financial institution.
Ability to evaluate and oversee outsourcing relationships.
Importance and criticality of the services to the financial institution.
Defined requirements for the outsourced activity.
Necessary controls and reporting processes.
Contractual obligations and requirements for the service provider.
Contingency plans, including availability of alternative service providers, costs and resources
required to switch service providers.
Ongoing assessment of outsourcing arrangements to evaluate consistency with strategic
objectives and service provider performance.
Regulatory requirements and guidance for the business lines affected and technologies used.

Due Diligence in Selecting a Service Provider
Once the institution has completed the risk assessment, management should evaluate service
providers to determine their ability, both operationally and financially, to meet the institution’s
needs. Management should convey the institution’s needs, objectives, and necessary controls to
the potential service provider. Management also should discuss provisions that the contract
should contain. The appendix to this statement contains some specific factors for management to
consider in selecting a service provider.
Contract Issues
Contracts between the institution and service provider should take into account business
requirements and key risk factors identified during the risk assessment and due diligence phases.
Contracts should be clearly written and sufficiently detailed to provide assurances for
performance, reliability, security, confidentiality, and reporting. Management should consider
4

For example, emerging electronic services may include aggregation. Aggregation is a service that gathers on-line
account information from many web sites and presents that information in a consolidated format to the customer.

Page 3 of 3
whether the contract is flexible enough to allow for changes in technology and the financial
institution's operations. Appropriate legal counsel should review contracts prior to signing.
Institutions may encounter situations where service providers cannot or will not agree to terms
that the institution requests to manage the risk effectively. Under these circumstances,
institutions should either not contract with that provider or supplement the service provider’s
commitments with additional risk mitigation controls. The appendix to this statement contains
some specific considerations for management in contracting with a service provider.
Service Provider Oversight
Institutions should implement an oversight program to monitor each service provider’s controls,
condition, and performance. Responsibility for the administration of the service provider
relationship should be assigned to personnel with appropriate expertise to monitor and manage
the relationship. The number of personnel, functional responsibilities, and the amount of time
devoted to oversight activities will depend, in part, on the scope and complexity of the services
outsourced. Institutions should document the administration of the service provider relationship.
Documenting the process is important for contract negotiations, termination issues, and
contingency planning. The appendix to this statement contains some specific factors to consider
regarding oversight of the service provider.
Summary
The board of directors and management are responsible for ensuring adequate risk mitigation
practices are in place for effective oversight and management of outsourcing relationships.
Financial institutions should incorporate an outsourcing risk management process that includes a
risk assessment to identify the institution’s needs and requirements; proper due diligence to
identify and select a provider; written contracts that clearly outline duties, obligations and
responsibilities of the parties involved; and ongoing oversight of outsourcing technology
services.

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APPENDIX
Risk Management of Outsourced Technology Services

Due Diligence in Selecting a Service Provider
Some of the factors that institutions should consider when performing due diligence in selecting
a service provider are categorized and listed below. Institutions should review the service
provider’s due diligence process for any of its significant supporting agents (i.e., subcontractors,
support vendors, and other parties). Depending on the services being outsourced and the level of
in-house expertise, institutions should consider whether to hire or consult with qualified
independent sources. These sources include consultants, user groups, and trade associations that
are familiar with products and services offered by third parties. Ultimately, the depth of due
diligence will vary depending on the scope and importance of the outsourced services as well as
the risk to the institution from these services.
Technical and Industry Expertise
• Assess the service provider’s experience and ability to provide the necessary services and
supporting technology for current and anticipated needs.
• Identify areas where the institution would have to supplement the service provider’s expertise
to fully manage risk.
• Evaluate the service provider’s use of third parties or partners that would be used to support
the outsourced operations.
• Evaluate the experience of the service provider in providing services in the anticipated
operating environment.
• Consider whether additional systems, data conversions, and work are necessary.
• Evaluate the service provider’s ability to respond to service disruptions.
• Contact references and user groups to learn about the service provider’s reputation and
performance.
• Evaluate key service provider personnel that would be assigned to support the institution.
• Perform on-site visits, where necessary, to better understand how the service provider
operates and supports its services.
Operations and Controls
• Determine adequacy of the service provider’s standards, policies and procedures relating to
internal controls, facilities management (e.g., access requirements, sharing of facilities, etc.),
security (e.g., systems, data, equipment, etc.), privacy protections, maintenance of records,
business resumption contingency planning, systems development and maintenance, and
employee background checks.
• Determine if the service provider provides sufficient security precautions, including, when
appropriate, firewalls, encryption, and customer identity authentication, to protect institution
resources as well as detect and respond to intrusions.
• Review audit reports of the service provider to determine whether the audit scope, internal
controls, and security safeguards are adequate.

Page A - 2
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Evaluate whether the institution will have complete and timely access to its information
maintained by the provider.
Evaluate the service provider’s knowledge of regulations that are relevant to the services they
are providing. (e.g., Regulation E, privacy and other consumer protection regulations, Bank
Secrecy Act, etc.).
Assess the adequacy of the service provider’s insurance coverage including fidelity, fire,
liability, data losses from errors and omissions, and protection of documents in transit.

Financial Condition
• Analyze the service provider’s most recent audited financial statements and annual report as
well as other indicators (e.g., publicly traded bond ratings), if available.
• Consider factors such as how long the service provider has been in business and the service
provider’s market share for a given service and how it has fluctuated.
• Consider the significance of the institution’s proposed contract on the service provider’s
financial condition.
• Evaluate technological expenditures. Is the service provider’s level of investment in
technology consistent with supporting the institution’s activities? Does the service provider
have the financial resources to invest in and support the required technology?

Contract Issues
Some considerations for contracting with service providers are discussed below. This listing is
not all-inclusive and the institution may need to evaluate other considerations based on its unique
circumstances. The level of detail and relative importance of contract provisions varies with the
scope and risks of the services outsourced.
Scope of Service
The contract should clearly describe the rights and responsibilities of parties to the contract.
Considerations include:
• Timeframes and activities for implementation and assignment of responsibility.
Implementation provisions should take into consideration other existing systems or interrelated systems to be developed by different service providers (e.g., an Internet banking
system being integrated with existing core applications or systems customization).
• Services to be performed by the service provider including duties such as software support
and maintenance, training of employees or customer service.
• Obligations of the financial institution.
• The contracting parties’ rights in modifying existing services performed under the contract.
• Guidelines for adding new or different services and for contract re-negotiation.
Performance Standards
Institutions should generally include performance standards defining minimum service level
requirements and remedies for failure to meet standards in the contract. For example, common
service level metrics include percent system uptime, deadlines for completing batch processing,
or number of processing errors. Industry standards for service levels may provide a reference
point. The institution should periodically review overall performance standards to ensure
consistency with its goals and objectives.

Page A - 3
Security and Confidentiality
The contract should address the service provider’s responsibility for security and confidentiality
of the institution’s resources (e.g., information, hardware). The agreement should prohibit the
service provider and its agents from using or disclosing the institution’s information, except as
necessary to or consistent with providing the contracted services, to protect against unauthorized
use (e.g., disclosure of information to institution competitors). If the service provider receives
nonpublic personal information regarding the institution’s customers, the institution should
notify the service provider to assess the applicability of the privacy regulations. Institutions
should require the service provider to fully disclose breaches in security resulting in
unauthorized intrusions into the service provider that may materially affect the institution or its
customers. The service provider should report to the institution when material intrusions occur,
the effect on the institution, and corrective action to respond to the intrusion.
Controls
Consideration should be given to contract provisions addressing control over operations such as:
• Internal controls to be maintained by the service provider.
• Compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.
• Records to be maintained by the service provider.
• Access to the records by the institution.
• Notification by the service provider to the institution and the institution’s approval rights
regarding material changes to services, systems, controls, key project personnel allocated to
the institution, and new service locations.
• Setting and monitoring of parameters relating to any financial functions, such as payments
processing and any extensions of credit on behalf of the institution.
• Insurance coverage to be maintained by the service provider.
Audit
The institution should generally include in the contract the types of audit reports the institution is
entitled to receive (e.g., financial, internal control and security reviews). The contract can
specify audit frequency, cost to the institution associated with the audits if any, as well as the
rights of the institution and its agencies to obtain the results of the audits in a timely manner.
The contract may also specify rights to obtain documentation regarding the resolution of audit
disclosed deficiencies and inspect the processing facilities and operating practices of the service
provider. Management should consider, based upon the risk assessment phase, the degree to
which independent internal audits completed by service provider audit staff can be used and the
need for external audits and reviews (e.g., SAS 70 Type I and II reviews). 5
For services involving access to open networks, such as Internet-related services, special
attention should be paid to security. The institution may wish to include contract terms requiring
periodic audits to be performed by an independent party with sufficient expertise. These audits
may include penetration testing, intrusion detection, and firewall configuration. The institution
should receive sufficiently detailed reports on the findings of these ongoing audits to adequately
assess security without compromising the service provider’s security. It can be beneficial to both
the service provider and the institution to contract for such ongoing tests on a coordinated basis
5

AICPA Statement of Auditing Standards 70 “Reports of Processing of Transactions by Service Organizations,”
known as SAS 70 Reports, are one commonly used form of external review. Type I SAS 70 reports review the
service provider’s policies and procedures. Type II SAS 70 reports provide tests of actual controls against policies
and procedures.

Page A - 4
given the number of institutions that may contract with the service provider and the importance
of the test results to the institution.
Reports
Contractual terms should discuss the frequency and type of reports the institution will receive
(e.g., performance reports, control audits, financial statements, security, and business resumption
testing reports). Guidelines and fees for obtaining custom reports should also be discussed.
Business Resumption and Contingency Plans
The contract should address the service provider’s responsibility for backup and record
protection, including equipment, program and data files, and maintenance of disaster recovery
and contingency plans. Responsibilities should include testing of the plans and providing results
to the institution. The institution should consider interdependencies among service providers
when determining business resumption testing requirements. The service provider should
provide the institution with operating procedures the service provider and institution are to
implement in the event business resumption contingency plans are implemented. Contracts
should include specific provisions for business recovery timeframes that meet the institution’s
business requirements. The institution should ensure that the contract does not contain any
provisions that would excuse the service provider from implementing its contingency plans.
Sub-contracting and Multiple Service Provider Relationships
Some service providers may contract with third-parties in providing services to the financial
institution. To provide accountability, it may be beneficial for the financial institution to seek an
agreement with and designate a primary contracting service provider. The institution may want
to consider including a provision specifying that the contracting service provider is responsible
for the service provided to the institution regardless of which entity is actually conducting the
operations. The institution may also want to consider including notification and approval
requirements regarding changes to the service provider’s significant subcontractors.
Cost
The contract should fully describe fees and calculations for base services, including any
development, conversion, and recurring services, as well as any charges based upon volume of
activity and for special requests. Cost and responsibility for purchase and maintenance of
hardware and software may also need to be addressed. Any conditions under which the cost
structure may be changed should be addressed in detail including limits on any cost increases.
Ownership and License
The contract should address ownership and allowable use by the service provider of the
institution’s data, equipment/hardware, system documentation, system and application software,
and other intellectual property rights. Other intellectual property rights may include the
institution’s name and logo; its trademark or copyrighted material; domain names; web sites
designs; and other work products developed by the service provider for the institution. The
contract should not contain unnecessary limitations on the return of items owned by the
institution. Institutions that purchase software should consider establishing escrow agreements.
These escrow agreements may provide for the following: institution access to source programs
under certain conditions (e.g., insolvency of the vendor), documentation of programming and
systems, and verification of updated source code.

Page A - 5
Duration
Institutions should consider the type of technology and current state of the industry when
negotiating the appropriate length of the contract and its renewal periods. While there can be
benefits to long-term technology contracts, certain technologies may be subject to rapid change
and a shorter-term contract may prove beneficial. Similarly, institutions should consider the
appropriate length of time required to notify the service provider of the institutions’ intent not to
renew the contract prior to expiration. Institutions should consider coordinating the expiration
dates of contracts for inter-related services (e.g., web site, telecommunications, programming,
network support) so that they coincide, where practical. Such coordination can minimize the risk
of terminating a contract early and incurring penalties as a result of necessary termination of
another related service contract.
Dispute Resolution
The institution should consider including in the contract a provision for a dispute resolution
process that attempts to resolve problems in an expeditious manner as well as provide for
continuation of services during the dispute resolution period.
Indemnification
Indemnification provisions generally require the financial institution to hold the service provider
harmless from liability for the negligence of the institution, and vice versa. These provisions
should be reviewed to reduce the likelihood of potential situations in which the institution may
be liable for claims arising as a result of the negligence of the service provider.
Limitation of Liability
Some service provider standard contracts may contain clauses limiting the amount of liability
that can be incurred by the service provider. If the institution is considering such a contract,
consideration should be given to whether the damage limitation bears an adequate relationship to
the amount of loss the financial institution might reasonably experience as a result of the service
provider’s failure to perform its obligations.
Termination
The extent and flexibility of termination rights sought can vary depending upon the service.
Contracts for technologies subject to rapid change, for example, may benefit from greater
flexibility in termination rights. Termination rights may be sought for a variety of conditions
including change in control (e.g., acquisitions and mergers), convenience, substantial increase in
cost, repeated failure to meet service levels, failure to provide critical services, bankruptcy,
company closure, and insolvency.
Institution management should consider whether or not the contract permits the institution to
terminate the contract in a timely manner and without prohibitive expense (e.g., reasonableness
of cost or penalty provisions). The contract should state termination and notification
requirements with time frames to allow the orderly conversion to another provider. The contract
must provide for return of the institution’s data, as well as other institution resources, in a timely
manner and in machine readable format. Any costs associated with transition assistance should
be clearly stated.
Assignment
The institution should consider contract provisions that prohibit assignment of the contract to a
third party without the institution’s consent, including changes to subcontractors.

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Oversight of Service Provider
Some of the oversight activities management should consider in administering the service
provider relationship are categorized and listed below. The degree of oversight activities will
vary depending upon the nature of the services outsourced. Institutions should consider the
extent to which the service provider conducts similar oversight activities for any of its significant
supporting agents (i.e., subcontractors, support vendors, and other parties) and the extent to
which the institution may need to perform oversight activities on the service provider’s
significant supporting agents.
Monitor Financial Condition and Operations
• Evaluate the service provider’s financial condition periodically.
• Ensure that the service provider’s financial obligations to subcontractors are being met in a
timely manner.
• Review audit reports (e.g., SAS 70 reviews, security reviews) as well as regulatory
examination reports if available, and evaluate the adequacy of the service providers’ systems
and controls including resource availability, security, integrity, and confidentiality. 6
• Follow up on any deficiencies noted in the audits and reviews of the service provider.
• Periodically review the service provider’s policies relating to internal controls, security,
systems development and maintenance, and back up and contingency planning to ensure they
meet the institution’s minimum guidelines, contract requirements, and are consistent with the
current market and technological environment.
• Review access control reports for suspicious activity.
• Monitor changes in key service provider project personnel allocated to the institution.
• Review and monitor the service provider’s insurance policies for effective coverage.
• Perform on-site inspections in conjunction with some of the reviews performed above, where
practicable and necessary.
• Sponsor coordinated audits and reviews with other client institutions.
Assess Quality of Service and Support
• Regularly review reports documenting the service provider’s performance. Determine if the
reports are accurate and allow for a meaningful assessment of the service provider’s
performance.
• Document and follow up on any problem in service in a timely manner. Assess service
provider plans to enhance service levels.
• Review system update procedures to ensure appropriate change controls are in effect, and
ensure authorization is established for significant system changes.
• Evaluate the provider’s ability to support and enhance the institution’s strategic direction
including anticipated business development goals and objectives, service delivery
requirements, and technology initiatives.
• Determine adequacy of training provided to financial institution employees.
• Review customer complaints on the products and services provided by the service provider.
• Periodically meet with contract parties to discuss performance and operational issues.
6

Some services provided to insured depository institutions by service providers are examined by the FFIEC member
agencies. Regulatory examination reports, which are only available to clients/customers of the service provider,
may contain information regarding a service provider’s operations. However, regulatory reports are not a substitute
for a financial institution’s due diligence in oversight of the service provider.

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•

Participate in user groups and other forums.

Monitor Contract Compliance and Revision Needs
• Review invoices to assure proper charges for services rendered, the appropriateness of rate
changes and new service charges.
• Periodically, review the service provider’s performance relative to service level agreements,
determine whether other contractual terms and conditions are being met, and whether any
revisions to service level expectations or other terms are needed given changes in the
institution’s needs and technological developments.
• Maintain documents and records regarding contract compliance, revision and dispute
resolution.
Maintain Business Resumption Contingency Plans
• Review the service provider’s business resumption contingency plans to ensure that any
services considered mission critical for the institution can be restored within an acceptable
timeframe.
• Review the service provider’s program for contingency plan testing. For many critical
services, annual or more frequent tests of the contingency plan are typical.
• Ensure service provider interdependencies are considered for mission critical services and
applications.