Your Security Is Only as Strong as Your Weakest Vendor
Supply chain attacks have increased dramatically. Third-party compromises can bypass your strongest defenses.
Risk Assessment
Classify vendors by access level and data sensitivity. Assess security postures before onboarding. Require security attestations. Review annually.
Contractual Controls
Include security requirements in contracts. Define breach notification timelines. Require audit rights. Specify liability for security failures.
Monitoring
Track vendor security news. Monitor for breaches affecting your vendors. Assess impact of vendor incidents on your operations.
Software Supply Chain
Verify software integrity through code signing. Monitor for vulnerable dependencies. Use software composition analysis. Consider software bills of materials.
Vendor Access
Minimize vendor access to your systems. Monitor all vendor activity. Remove access promptly when no longer needed. Require MFA for all vendor accounts.
Incident Coordination
Include vendors in incident response planning. Establish communication channels. Define roles and responsibilities. Practice coordination.
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