Source Code Escrow & Continuity Planning
Bespoke software becomes a business asset — but it can feel risky if the source code, build knowledge and credentials live only with one developer. To remove that worry, I offer pragmatic source code escrow options and continuity documentation so your organisation can keep moving even in worst-case scenarios.
This is useful for business-critical systems, director reassurance, funding due diligence, audits, tenders, and any situation where you want clear evidence of long-term maintainability.
Reduced risk
Minimises key-person risk and perceived vendor lock-in.
Code + build
Not just source — also build steps, dependencies and environment notes.
Clear triggers
Written conditions for release so everyone knows where they stand.
Continuity
A practical handover pack that another team can actually use.
What source code escrow is (and what it isn’t)
Escrow is a structured way to ensure you can access your system’s codebase if certain agreed conditions occur. It’s not about “taking control away” from your developer — it’s about protecting your organisation and reducing risk.
Escrow does not mean
- You can access private credentials or personal accounts “by default”
- Your live environment becomes less secure (secrets stay secret)
- Everything becomes complex — it can be lightweight and still effective
- You must change supplier — it simply gives you an option if needed
How an escrow arrangement can work
- Regular deposits (often monthly or quarterly)
- Either encrypted archives or repository exports (with integrity checks)
- Include build scripts and “how to run” notes for .NET solutions
- For Android, include project build requirements and signing approach (without exposing private keys)
- Optional: include a “known-good” tagged release so you can build a stable baseline
- Independent third-party escrow (formal, good for governance and external stakeholders)
- Trusted internal contact (lighter-weight, suitable for many SMEs)
- Encrypted deposits with checksums so you can prove integrity
- Clear ownership and access controls, with MFA where relevant
The key is having agreed, written conditions so escrow is only accessed when justified.
- Developer unavailable for an extended period
- Business closure / insolvency / inability to provide contracted support
- Material breach of contract that prevents continued maintenance
- Mutual agreement (e.g. planned handover to an internal team)
Continuity planning: the handover pack that actually helps
In practice, continuity is about more than “having the code”. The goal is that another competent team can pick up the system without weeks of reverse engineering.
What I typically document
- Solution overview: what exists and how it fits together (web, API, worker, Android, database)
- How to build and run locally (prereqs, tooling, environment settings)
- Deployment overview: hosting, DNS, certificates, background jobs, scheduled tasks
- Database model notes and migrations approach
- Key integrations: email/SMS, payment providers, third-party APIs
- Support notes: “where to look first” when something breaks
Secrets & credentials (handled safely)
- Identify what secrets exist (API keys, connection strings, signing keys)
- Recommend safe storage (password manager, vault, protected environment variables)
- Document how to rotate/reissue secrets (without putting them in the escrow deposit)
- Minimise “shared accounts” and prefer organisation-owned services where possible
Android app continuity (often overlooked)
If your system includes an Android app, continuity planning should cover the app store pipeline and signing approach — otherwise you can “own the code” but still struggle to release updates.
Build & release considerations
- Document build requirements and release process (CI/CD if used)
- Confirm which organisation account owns Play Store listings
- Document signing approach and recovery steps (without exposing private keys)
- API endpoints and environments clearly defined (dev/staging/prod)
Mobile + server dependency clarity
- Versioning strategy so old app versions degrade gracefully
- Known breaking changes documented
- Offline mode and sync behaviour described (if applicable)
- Support notes for field devices and update rollout
Benefits for your organisation
Confidence to invest
- Reduced vendor lock-in and key-person risk
- Reassurance for directors, investors and stakeholders
- Stronger position during audits, tenders and due diligence
- Clear evidence that the system is maintainable long term
Faster handover if needed
- A “new team” can get productive sooner
- Less reliance on tribal knowledge
- Fewer surprises around build/deploy/integrations
- Lower cost and stress if continuity plans are ever invoked
FAQ
Is escrow only for large organisations?
No — many SMEs choose a lightweight approach (quarterly deposits and a clear handover pack) simply to reduce perceived risk. The level of formality can match your governance and budget.
Will escrow include live credentials?
Usually not. A better approach is to document what credentials exist and how they’re managed, then keep the actual secrets in an organisation-owned password manager or vault with controlled access and MFA.
Discuss an escrow & continuity arrangement
If you’d like your bespoke system protected by a clear escrow process and a practical continuity pack, we can design an approach that fits your governance, risk profile and budget.