1. Inventory who has access
Every vendor with a login, an API key or a copy of your data extends your attack surface. Start by knowing who they are and what they hold.
2. Tier by impact
Assess vendors in proportion to the data and access they have. Focus effort on the ones whose failure would actually hurt.
3. Contract and reassess
- Bake security and breach-notification terms into contracts.
- Reassess critical vendors periodically, not just at onboarding.
- Track their certifications (SOC 2, ISO 27001).
How CyberSigma helps
We build your third-party risk program — inventory, tiering, assessments and monitoring — proportionate to real impact.
This guide is educational and not legal advice. Requirements evolve — validate specifics against the current standard or regulation for your situation.