Vendor Risk Assessment and Questionnaire Response (Delivery)

Vendor Risk Assessment and Questionnaire Response (Delivery)

1. 01

   Inventory every third-party service that touches client data

   List all SaaS tools, subprocessors, and infrastructure providers used in the delivery workflow, noting which ones store, process, or transmit client information.

2. 02

   Map each vendor to the relevant compliance frameworks

   For SOC 2, HIPAA, or ISO 27001, identify which controls require vendor assessment, such as data protection, access management, and incident response.

3. 03

   Collect current security documentation from each vendor

   Request SOC 2 reports, ISO 27001 certificates, or HIPAA attestations directly from the vendor or via their trust center. Verify the report date is within the last 12 months.

4. 04

   Score vendor risk based on data sensitivity and access level

   Assign a risk tier (high, medium, low) considering factors like whether the vendor stores client data, has admin access, or integrates with critical systems.

5. 05

   Draft questionnaire responses using the vendor risk scores

   For each client security questionnaire, answer questions about vendor management by referencing the collected documentation and risk tiers. Use a tool like Vanta or Drata to auto-populate responses where possible.

6. 06

   Flag any vendors that fail to meet client requirements

   If a vendor lacks required certifications or has unresolved findings, document the gap and propose a remediation plan or alternative vendor.

7. 07

   Review and approve final responses with the delivery lead

   Ensure all answers are accurate, consistent, and aligned with the client's expectations before submission. Keep a record of the questionnaire and responses for audit trails.