Cyber security is a critical factor when choosing a supplier because their security practices directly impact your business. A weak link in your supply chain can expose your data, disrupt operations, and lead to financial or reputational damage. Ensuring suppliers follow strong cybersecurity measures helps protect sensitive information, maintain compliance, and prevent costly breaches.
Why a Checklist Matters?
o Reduces the risk of data breaches that could lead to legal and financial penalties
o Protects confidentiality and ensures compliance with industry regulations
o Prevents disruptions to data sensitive services caused by cyberattacks
o Strengthens trust between your customers and suppliers
We recommend the following 10 essential checkpoints for assessing supplier cybersecurity:
1. Compliance & Certifications
✔ Cyber Essentials / Plus, and ISO 27001,
✔ GDPR, Data Security and Protection Toolkit
✔ Third-party security audits and certifications
2. Data Protection & Privacy
✔ End-to-end encryption for confidential data
✔ Role-based access control (RBAC) to restrict sensitive data access
✔ Data retention and disposal policies that meet the respective industry regulations
3. Identity & Access Management (IAM)
✔ Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for all user accounts
✔ Single Sign-On (SSO) for seamless and secure system access
✔ Strong password policies and access control measures
4. Incident Response & Business Continuity
✔ Documented and tested Incident Response Plan (IRP)
✔ Ransomware protection strategies and emergency response measures
✔ Regular data backups and recovery testing
✔ Disaster recovery and business continuity plan to prevent service disruption
5. Network & IT Security
✔ Firewalls, Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS), and Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS)
✔ Secure cloud infrastructure
✔ Regular patching and security updates for software and medical devices
✔ Endpoint protection on all connected devices
6. Security Assessments & Audits
✔ Regular penetration testing and vulnerability assessments
✔ Security audit reports available for review
✔ Continuous monitoring of systems for suspicious activity
✔ Security risk assessments conducted at least annually
7. Supply Chain Security
✔ Third-party risk management policies in place
✔ Contracts include cybersecurity obligations for data protection
✔ Vetting process for subcontractors and cloud service providers
✔ Ability to revoke access for third parties in case of security issues
8. Digital Appliance & IoT Security
✔ Secure integration of IoT-enabled online appliances
✔ Regular software and firmware updates for online appliances
✔ Risk assessment for new technologies before implementation
9. Secure Communication & Data Exchange
✔ Encrypted email and messaging systems for remote employees
✔ Secure file-sharing methods for transmitting sensitive data
✔ Data minimization practices to limit unnecessary data exchange
10. Fraud Prevention & Secure Transactions
✔ AI-driven monitoring for detecting unauthorized access or data breaches
✔ Secure payment systems for billing and transactions
✔ Fraud detection mechanisms for preventing client’s identity theft
✔ Continuous staff training on cybersecurity best practices
At Lanix, our cybersecurity team is always prepared to provide expert services customised to your industry, ensuring your business is protected and minimising the impact of cyber breaches caused by your suppliers.
With the UK’s Cyber Essentials certification in place, many of the 10 checkpoints will already be addressed.
For enquiry, please contact us on: cyber@lanix.co.uk
