This policy establishes the mandatory security requirements for engaging, managing, and terminating relationships with third parties and suppliers, ensuring they handle company data securely and in compliance with key regulations.
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Enforce Security in Contracts
Require all supplier contracts to include enforceable security, privacy, and incident response obligations before signing.
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Assess Supplier Risk
Systematically assess and document supplier risks before any agreements are signed or access is granted to your systems and data.
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Maintain a Supplier Register
Maintain a formal register of all suppliers, their access levels, and their compliance status for clear oversight and audit readiness.
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Simplify Compliance
Directly supports compliance with ISO/IEC 27001:2022, GDPR, NIS2, and DORA obligations related to vendor governance and supply chain security.
Read Full Overview
The Third-Party and Supplier Security Policy for SMEs is an essential resource designed to secure your organization’s interactions with external vendors and suppliers. This policy outlines comprehensive cybersecurity requirements for engaging, managing, and terminating relationships with third-party entities that access or influence your organization's data and systems. By embedding stringent security protocols, it aligns with international standards such as ISO/IEC 27001:2022, GDPR, and NIS2, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation. This policy is particularly beneficial for SMEs that may not have extensive internal resources dedicated to cybersecurity. It helps in systematically identifying, assessing, and managing security risks associated with suppliers. Key features include mandatory security controls in contracts, regular compliance reviews, and defined procedures for handling security breaches or incidents. As part of the policy, suppliers are required to adhere to strict data protection and incident response obligations, ensuring that your data remains secure at all times. For companies handling sensitive information, this policy mandates rigorous due diligence and risk assessments before any supplier engagement. It also includes clauses for breach notification timelines, audit rights, and data protection responsibilities, all critical for maintaining a secure supply chain. The peace of mind that comes from knowing your suppliers are operating under strict security guidelines is invaluable. This policy not only safeguards your business operations but also fortifies your reputation by ensuring that all third-party engagements are conducted in a secure and compliant manner. Whether you are onboarding new suppliers or managing existing relationships, this policy provides clarity and confidence in your vendor management processes.
What’s Inside
- Purpose, Scope, and Objectives
- Roles and Responsibilities (GM, IT Provider)
- Governance Requirements & Supplier Register
- Pre-Engagement Due Diligence
- Access Control & Data Handling Rules
- Ongoing Monitoring & Contract Changes
- Risk Treatment & Exceptions
- Enforcement and Compliance
Built for Leaders, By Leaders
This isn't just a document; it's a defensible business tool. Written by certified cybersecurity experts, this policy is designed to be practical for small and medium enterprises. It provides clear, actionable steps that you can implement without a large security team, giving you the confidence that your supplier relationships are secure and compliant under audit.
Framework Compliance
🛡️ Supported Standards & Frameworks
This product is aligned with the following compliance frameworks, with detailed clause and control mappings.
| Framework | Covered Clauses / Controls |
|---|---|
| ISO/IEC 27001:2022 |
Clause 8.1
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| ISO/IEC 27002:2022 |
Controls 5.19-5.22
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| NIST SP 800-53 Rev.5 |
SA-9
SA-10
CA-3
PS-7
|
| EU GDPR |
Articles 28, 32
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| EU NIS2 |
Articles 21(2)(a)(b)(i), 23(1)
|
| EU DORA |
Articles 5(1)(2), 28(1)(2)
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| COBIT 2019 |
APO10, APO12, DSS05
|
Part of a Complete ISMS Toolkit
This policy is one of 37 documents in our complete ISMS for SME Toolkit, designed for comprehensive compliance.
100%
ISO 27001:2022
95%
EU NIS2
90%
EU GDPR
85%
EU DORA
Related Policies
This foundational policy is directly linked to the following SME security policies to ensure comprehensive alignment and traceability across your security program.
Governance Roles & Responsibilities Policy (P2S)
Assigns accountability for supplier oversight and contract enforcement.
Access Control Policy (P4S)
Provides access restriction rules that must be applied when suppliers are granted system access.
Data Protection and Privacy Policy (P17S)
Ensures suppliers handling personal data comply with data protection principles and legal requirements.
Data Retention and Disposal Policy (P14S)
Governs secure data disposal after contract termination.
Incident Response Policy (P30S)
Defines how to respond when a supplier is involved in a security incident.
About This Policy
The Third-Party and Supplier Security Policy for SMEs provides a vital framework for managing risks associated with external vendors. It establishes mandatory, auditable security requirements for the entire supplier lifecycle, from initial engagement and contracting to termination. This policy is crucial for protecting your organization’s sensitive data and systems from breaches originating in your supply chain, ensuring compliance with standards like ISO 27001:2022 and GDPR.
This policy applies to all third parties with access to company assets, including IT support vendors, cloud service providers, software developers, and other contractors. It also governs internal staff responsible for selecting and managing these suppliers. By implementing these clear guidelines, your SME can build a secure, resilient, and compliant vendor management program, even with limited in-house resources.
