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An economic analysis of information security outsourcing with competitive firms

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  • Xing Gao
  • Siyu Gong

Abstract

Nowadays, firms may outsource information security operation to a managed security service provider (MSSP). Constructing a game‐theoretic model, this paper examines the strategic interaction between a MSSP and a strategic hacker in the presence of two competitive firms. We find that the MSSP's equilibrium benefit increases with the firms' loss due to user inconvenience and competition intensity when they remain high. It shows that technology similarity may benefit or harm the MSSP, dependent on its investment efficiency. Interestingly, we reveal that the hacker's benefit first decreases and then increases with technology similarity when its learning ability remains moderate.

Suggested Citation

  • Xing Gao & Siyu Gong, 2022. "An economic analysis of information security outsourcing with competitive firms," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(7), pages 2748-2758, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:mgtdec:v:43:y:2022:i:7:p:2748-2758
    DOI: 10.1002/mde.3560
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xing Gao & Weijun Zhong & Shue Mei, 2013. "Information Security Investment When Hackers Disseminate Knowledge," Decision Analysis, INFORMS, vol. 10(4), pages 352-368, December.
    2. Yong Wu & Gengzhong Feng & Richard Y. K. Fung, 2018. "Comparison of information security decisions under different security and business environments," Journal of the Operational Research Society, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 69(5), pages 747-761, May.
    3. Kai-Lung Hui & Ping Fan Ke & Yuxi Yao & Wei T. Yue, 2019. "Bilateral Liability-Based Contracts in Information Security Outsourcing," Information Systems Research, INFORMS, vol. 30(2), pages 411-429, June.
    4. Xiaotong Li & Qianyao Xue, 2021. "An economic analysis of information security investment decision making for substitutable enterprises," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 42(5), pages 1306-1316, July.
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    6. Xing Gao & Weijun Zhong, 2016. "A differential game approach to security investment and information sharing in a competitive environment," IISE Transactions, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(6), pages 511-526, June.
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    8. Chenglong Zhang & Nan Feng & Jianjian Chen & Dahui Li & Minqiang Li, 2021. "Outsourcing Strategies for Information Security: Correlated Losses and Security Externalities," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 23(3), pages 773-790, June.
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    13. Xing Gao & Weijun Zhong, 2015. "Information security investment for competitive firms with hacker behavior and security requirements," Annals of Operations Research, Springer, vol. 235(1), pages 277-300, December.
    14. Xing Gao & Weijun Zhong & Shue Mei, 2015. "Security investment and information sharing under an alternative security breach probability function," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 17(2), pages 423-438, April.
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