Don’t Let Your Vendors Become Your Weakest Link β€” Get Proactive Vendor Risk Management

We uncover the third-party vulnerabilities putting your business at risk β€” and show you exactly how to secure your entire supply chain.

  • 1. Assess every vendor’s security posture before they access your data
  • 2. Monitor third-party risks continuously with real-time threat intelligence
  • 3. Stay compliant and audit-ready with comprehensive vendor documentation

Not sure where to start with vendor security? You’re not alone.

Most small and medium-sized businesses don’t have a formal vendor risk management process, and it shows.
Vendor assessments are scattered across emails, security questionnaires sit incomplete, and there’s no clear visibility into which vendors pose the greatest risk. No one truly owns vendor security, and critical third-party relationships operate without proper oversight.

That makes you an easy target.
From supply chain attacks to vendor data breaches, cyber threats increasingly come through your trusted partners. Meanwhile, regulations are tightening and customers are demanding proof of vendor security. When a vendor gets breached and your data is exposed, guess who’s legally responsible? (Hint: It’s not the vendor.)

That’s where vendor risk management comes in.
You get comprehensive vendor assessments, continuous monitoring, and executive-level oversightβ€”without the six-figure cost of a full-time security team. We’ll evaluate your vendors, monitor their security posture, create enforceable contracts, and be there when vendor incidents threaten your business.

Vendor Risk Isn’t Optional. The Numbers Prove It.

Here’s why proactive vendor risk management matters more than ever.

62%

of data breaches involve a third-party vendor

Your vendors have access to your data, but do they protect it like you do?

$4.5M

average cost of a supply chain attack

One compromised vendor can cost millions in breach response, legal fees, and lost business.

280

days to identify vendor-related breaches

Without continuous monitoring, vendor data breaches might go undetected for months

Our Vendor Risk Assessment Process

From initial vendor discovery to continuous monitoring, here’s how we secure your supply chain.

1. Vendor Discovery & Classification

We identify all vendors with access to your data or systems, then classify them by risk level based on data access, criticality, and security posture.

2. Security Assessment

Conduct thorough evaluations using security questionnaires, certification reviews (SOC 2, ISO 27001), and automated security scans.

3. Contract Review & Recommendations

Review vendor contracts and provide recommendations for security requirements, data protection clauses, right-to-audit provisions, and incident response obligations.

4. Risk Scoring & Prioritization

Apply objective risk scores to each vendor and create prioritized remediation plans focusing on your highest-risk relationships first.

5. Continuous Monitoring

Monitor vendor security postures 24/7 with threat intelligence feeds, automated alerts for new vulnerabilities, and regular reassessments.

6. Incident Response Planning

Develop vendor-specific incident response plans with clear escalation paths and communication protocols for when breaches occur.

Types of Vendor Assessments We Provide

We tailor our assessment approach to match each vendor’s risk level and your compliance requirements.

Security Questionnaires

Comprehensive questionnaires covering security controls, data handling, incident response, and compliance certifications. We handle the entire process from sending to analysis.

  • NIST-aligned assessments
  • Industry-specific requirements
  • Automated scoring and tracking

Automated Security Scanning

For critical vendors, we conduct comprehensive automated security assessments including vulnerability scanning, configuration analysis, and security posture evaluation.

  • Automated vulnerability scanning
  • Security configuration analysis
  • Continuous monitoring integration

Continuous Monitoring

Real-time monitoring of vendor security postures using threat intelligence feeds, dark web monitoring, and automated vulnerability scanning.

  • 24/7 threat monitoring
  • Automated risk alerts
  • Quarterly reassessments

8 Reasons Businesses Trust Our Vendor Risk Management

From cost savings to faster vendor onboarding, here’s why small and mid-sized businesses choose our VRM service instead of building in-house.

Executive-Level Oversight

Get vCISO-level vendor risk expertise without the six-figure salary. Strategic guidance at a fraction of the cost.

Complete Vendor Visibility

Know exactly which vendors pose the greatest risk with comprehensive assessments and real-time monitoring.

Automated Efficiency

Replace manual spreadsheets and endless emails with automated assessments, scoring, and continuous monitoring.

Compliance Confidence

Meet GDPR, CCPA, HIPAA, and industry-specific requirements with documented vendor security practices.

Faster Vendor Onboarding

Streamline vendor approvals from weeks to days with standardized assessments and clear risk criteria.

Legal Protection

Ensure contracts include proper security clauses, liability terms, and incident response requirements.

Proactive Threat Detection

Identify vendor vulnerabilities before attackers do with continuous monitoring and threat intelligence.

Board-Ready Reporting

Get clear, executive-level reports on vendor risk posture that demonstrate due diligence to stakeholders.

Flexible Vendor Risk Management Plans, Built Around Your Needs

These plans represent typical engagement levels we offer to small and midsize businesses. Every organization is different β€” we’ll tailor your scope based on vendor ecosystem size, regulatory needs, and internal resources.

πŸ’‘ ROI Insight: The average cost of a vendor-related breach is $4.5M. Our Enterprise plan ($96k/year) costs less than 2% of the average breach response β€” and gives you continuous protection.

Why Choose Managed Vendor Risk Management?

See how our managed service compares to other vendor risk management approaches.

OptionAnnual CostWhat You GetDownside
DIY with Software$19k–$40k/yrSoftware platform onlyStill need staff expertise
No strategic guidance
Limited remediation support
Hire VRM Manager$170k+/yrFull-time expertise + softwareHigh fixed cost
Recruitment challenges
Single point of failure
DIY with Excel$150k+/yrFull-time expertise onlyManual processes
No automation
Limited scalability
Our Managed VRM$13k–$96k/yrSoftware + vCISO + reporting + remediationβœ… No downsides

πŸ’‘ Cost Comparison: Our managed service costs 50-80% less than hiring in-house while providing enterprise-grade vendor risk management.

With us, you don’t just get a tool β€” you get a team.


Foundation

$12,998

One-time assessment (up to 10 vendors)

2-3 week implementation β€’ Gateway offering for businesses starting their vendor risk journey

Perfect for businesses with 5-10 critical vendors

Includes:
  • Vendor inventory and risk classification
  • Security questionnaires for critical vendors
  • Risk scoring and prioritization
  • Basic remediation roadmap
  • Contract review checklist
Not included: Continuous monitoring, automated scanning

πŸ’³ Payment plans available

Comprehensive

$29,995

Full program setup + 12 months monitoring (up to 25 vendors)

4-6 week implementation β€’ Multi-tenant platform β€’ Recommended for businesses with complex vendor ecosystems or compliance requirements

For organizations needing ongoing vendor oversight

Everything in Foundation, plus:
  • VRM policy and procedure development
  • Continuous vendor monitoring
  • Quarterly reassessments
Not included: Automated scanning, dedicated analyst

πŸ’³ Payment plans available

Enterprise

$8,000/mo

Fully managed VRM program (up to 100 vendors included in price)

Less than the cost of a $150,000/year full-time vendor risk manager plus software, with broader coverage and continuous monitoring.

Recommended for: Healthcare, Financial Services, or any business with 50+ critical vendors

For companies needing comprehensive vendor oversight

Everything in Comprehensive, plus:
  • Dedicated vendor risk analyst
  • Dedicated vendor risk management platform
  • Executive dashboard and reporting
  • Vendor incident response support
Not included: Additional automated scans beyond 2/year

πŸ’³ $96,000/year (annual billing price)

πŸ“‹ Pricing Details & Overages

Vendor Limits

β€’ Foundation: $1,200 per additional vendor beyond 10
β€’ Comprehensive: $1,000 per additional vendor beyond 25
β€’ Enterprise: $750 per additional vendor beyond 100

Money-Back Guarantee

30-day satisfaction guarantee on all plans. If you’re not completely satisfied with our vendor risk assessment process, we’ll refund your investment.

πŸ›‘οΈ All assessments aligned with NIST, ISO 27001, and industry-specific compliance frameworks

Vendor Security FAQs

What exactly is vendor risk management?

Vendor risk management is the systematic process of evaluating, monitoring, and mitigating security risks from your third-party vendors, suppliers, and business partners. We assess their security practices, ensure they meet your standards, and continuously monitor for new threats.

Why can’t we just trust our vendors’ security certifications?

Certifications like SOC 2 are a good start, but they’re point-in-time assessments that may not cover all your specific security requirements. Many breaches occur at certified vendors. Continuous monitoring and tailored assessments ensure vendors maintain security standards relevant to your data and compliance needs.

How long does vendor risk assessment take?

Initial assessments typically take 2-4 weeks depending on vendor responsiveness and complexity. Our streamlined process and automated tools significantly reduce assessment time compared to manual methods. For critical vendors requiring comprehensive automated scanning, add 1-2 weeks.

What happens if we find a high-risk vendor?

We provide a prioritized remediation plan with specific actions to reduce risk. This might include requiring additional security controls, limiting data access, renegotiating contracts, or in extreme cases, finding alternative vendors. We guide you through the entire risk mitigation process.

Do we need to assess every single vendor?

No. We help you classify vendors by risk level based on their access to sensitive data, criticality to operations, and security impact. Low-risk vendors may only need basic reviews, while critical vendors require comprehensive assessments and continuous monitoring.

How does continuous monitoring work?

We use automated tools and threat intelligence feeds to monitor your vendors’ security posture 24/7. This includes tracking for data breaches, security incidents, certificate expirations, and dark web activity. You receive real-time alerts when vendor risks change.

Will vendor assessments slow down our business?

Actually, the opposite. Our standardized process and pre-approved vendor list speed up onboarding. Once established, vendor assessments become faster and more predictable. Many clients reduce vendor onboarding time from weeks to days.

What if a vendor refuses to complete security assessments?

Vendor reluctance is a red flag. We help you navigate these situations by providing alternative assessment methods, leveraging public information, or negotiating simplified assessments. If a vendor won’t demonstrate basic security practices, we help you evaluate alternatives.

What happens if a vendor gets breached?

Vendor breaches can have serious consequences for your business, including data exposure, regulatory fines, and damage to your reputation. Many regulations and contracts hold data owners accountable for breaches involving their data, regardless of where they occur. That’s why proper vendor contracts with security requirements, liability clauses, and cyber insurance requirements are critical. We help ensure your vendor agreements include appropriate protections.

Is vendor risk management really worth the investment?

Absolutely. The average vendor-related breach costs $4.5M, while our comprehensive program costs $29,995. That’s less than 0.7% of potential losses. Plus, you get faster vendor onboarding, reduced compliance risk, and peace of mind knowing your supply chain is secure.

Can’t we just do vendor assessments in-house?

You could, but it would require hiring a vendor risk manager ($150K/year), implementing assessment tools ($50K+), and dedicating significant time. Our service delivers the same expertise and results for a fraction of the cost, with proven methodologies and continuous monitoring you can’t easily replicate.

What if we’re not satisfied with the service?

We’re committed to your success and will work closely with you to ensure our vendor risk management service meets your needs. If you have concerns about our service delivery, we’ll address them immediately and make necessary adjustments. We’re confident in our methodology and want you to feel secure in your decision to work with us.

Ready to Secure Your Supply Chain?

Schedule a free consultation to discuss your vendor risk management needs and get a customized plan for securing your third-party ecosystem.

No obligation β€’ 30-minute call β€’ Custom recommendations

🎯 Not Ready for Full Vendor Risk Management?

Download our Vendor Security Self-Assessment Checklist

Get a 2-page checklist you can use today to evaluate vendor security and identify your highest-risk relationships.