10 important questions to add to your security questionnaire

Choosing the right vendors isn’t just a business decision—it’s a security decision. A vendor security questionnaire helps you identify risks, assess compliance, and ensure third parties meet your security standards before onboarding.

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If you’re wondering what questions to include in a security questionnaire, this guide covers 10 essential questions to help you uncover vulnerabilities, evaluate risk, and make confident vendor decisions.

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1. What security certifications and standards do you adhere to?

Compliance frameworks like ISO/IEC 27001, SOC 2, and GDPR show a vendor is in line with a common security standard. With these attestations or certifications, companies have a pathway to demonstrate compliance and operationalize around strong security postures.

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2. How do you handle data encryption in transit and at rest?

Understanding how a vendor encrypts data, specifically when data is being sent and stored, helps ensure that an unauthorized party cannot access sensitive information via a potential breach. Partnering with vendors who take data encryption seriously is one of the best ways to protect your data.

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3. Can you provide details on your incident response plan?

A well-formed incident response plan shows that a vendor is equipped to navigate security incidents and cybersecurity breaches effectively. The plan should include processes for incident detection, containment, remediation, and communication strategies for informing the affected parties. 

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While no company wants to experience a breach, companies with a good plan can address problems quickly and effectively. A thorough incident response plan demonstrates a proactive security posture, ensuring that companies are prepared if things go south.

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4. How often do you conduct vulnerability assessments?

New vulnerabilities are discovered daily, and if exploited, they can pose significant risks to your company’s data. Regular vulnerability assessments are essential for identifying and addressing potential security weaknesses. The frequency and depth of these assessments will give you confidence in the vendor's approach to security.

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5. What are your access control policies?

Access control policies dictate how a vendor manages user permissions, ensuring data access is restricted to authorized individuals only. Companies should also have established procedures for removing access when users leave the organization. These policies help protect sensitive information and reduce the risk of internal threats.

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6. How do you ensure the security of third-party vendors and subcontractors?

Vendors often depend on third-party services, which can introduce additional security risks. It's important to understand how a potential vendor evaluates and manages the security practices of their subcontractors. Ensure your vendors assess their vendors with the same level of commitment to security that you do.

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7. What are your policies regarding data retention and deletion?

Data retention and deletion policies affect how long your data is stored and when it is deleted. Clear guidelines should outline that data is not kept longer than necessary and is securely deleted when no longer needed, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

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8. How do you manage and secure endpoints and devices?

Common cyberattack targets include endpoints like laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Knowing exactly how a vendor tackles endpoint security measures like anti-virus, firewalls, and patch management can give you confidence in how they protect company assets.

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9. Please provide an example of a past security incident that impacted customers and how it was resolved.

Past performance can be indicative of future behavior. Looking closely at how a vendor handled previous security incidents can reveal any problems in their breach response and show you whether they’re learning from their mistakes to improve.

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10. What training and awareness programs are in place for your employees?

Employee training and awareness programs are essential for ensuring all staff members understand security protocols and can effectively recognize and respond to potential threats. Security should be at the top of employees' minds and a large part of the company’s culture.

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What to do if a vendor's responses raise concerns

If a vendor’s responses raise concerns for your organization, start by discussing the questions with the vendor directly to seek clarification or additional context. If satisfactory answers aren’t provided, it may be best to consider an alternative vendor. The vendors you work with directly reflect your organization's security posture, so ensure that any third party onboarded should align with your security goals and acts as an extension of your security program.

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Automate vendor security reviews with Vanta

Asking the right questions is the first step—managing vendor security at scale is the next. Vanta's Vendor Risk Management automates the entire third-party risk lifecycle, from vendor discovery and risk scoring to AI-powered security assessments and continuous monitoring, so your team can focus on high-stakes decisions instead of chasing down documentation.

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And if your customers are sending you security questionnaires, Questionnaire Automation uses AI to generate accurate responses in hours instead of weeks—while Trust Center lets you proactively share your security posture so prospects get answers before they even need to ask. Request a demo to see Vanta in action.

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