TL;DR
When a freelancer finishes, immediately revoke their access to all systems, rotate any credentials they touched, audit the code for security issues and backdoors, and verify you have all source code and documentation. 5 critical items must be done immediately, 9 important items within 48 hours, and 4 recommended items for complete security. Trust, but verify.
Quick Checklist (5 Critical Items)
Immediate Access Revocation 5
Credential Rotation 4
Code Audit 5
Documentation and Handoff 4
Prevention Is Better Than Cure
The best security practice is to limit freelancer access from the start. Create limited-scope credentials, use staging environments instead of production, and avoid sharing admin access whenever possible.
Consider using time-limited access tokens and separate service accounts for contractors. This makes revocation easier and limits the blast radius if something goes wrong.
Should I give freelancers access to production credentials?
Avoid giving freelancers direct access to production credentials. Use staging environments, create limited-scope credentials, or proxy access through your team. If production access is necessary, rotate credentials immediately after the engagement ends.
How do I verify a freelancer did not leave a backdoor?
Review all code changes, especially authentication and authorization logic. Search for hardcoded credentials, unusual network requests, and hidden admin endpoints. Run automated security scans and consider a professional code review for critical projects.
What if the freelancer refuses to hand over code or credentials?
This is why contracts matter. Your agreement should specify code ownership and handoff requirements. If they refuse, rotate all credentials they might have accessed, revoke all access, and consult legal counsel if necessary.
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