Part 5 in the NetZeal Vendor Risk Series
Every new vendor widens your attack surface. One weak link can stall operations, trigger fines, or splash your name across headlines. Use this streamlined framework to choose partners who reinforce—not jeopardize—your business.
1. Define “Critical” Up Front
Map core workflows and rank vendors by blast radius. Focus heavy diligence only where failure truly hurts.
2. Use a Weighted Requirements Matrix
List functional needs and security/compliance must‑haves in one scorecard. Weight each item so a slick UI never outranks SOC 2 or encryption.
3. Demand Early Proof of Security
Send a concise questionnaire plus artifacts—recent pen‑tests, patch cadence, MFA, TLS 1.2+. Red flags? Ask for a fix‑by date or walk.
4. Confirm Compliance & Viability
Audit reports must mirror your regs (HIPAA, PCI, GDPR). Check financial health and culture for transparency and incident‑response maturity.
5. Contract for Protection & Plan for Day‑2
Lock SLAs, 24‑hour breach notice, pen‑test rights, and data‑return clauses into the MSA/Data Processing Addendum. Schedule annual reviews and automate passive monitoring.
Key Takeaways
Need a sanity‑check on your vendor list? Book a free 30‑minute consult—no sales pitch, just actionable insights.
