As a business owner, you likely rely on outside vendors for IT, cloud services, or financial software. But if those service providers aren’t properly managed, they can become your greatest security risk. The CIS Controls framework, specifically Control 15 (Service Provider Management), offers a roadmap to protecting your company from third-party threats.

Action Steps You Should Take Now:

1. Inventory Your Providers – List all third-party vendors with access to your systems and data.
2. Evaluate Security Practices – Review how vendors secure your data. Do they meet CIS control standards?
3. Define Contractual Requirements – Update contracts to include security obligations (like encryption or incident response timelines).
4. Monitor Performance – Regularly review provider reports, audits, or compliance certifications.
5. Develop an Exit Strategy – Ensure data can be safely transferred or destroyed when contracts end.

Common Questions Business Owners Ask:

• “Why does this matter if my provider is well-known?”
  Even trusted vendors face breaches. CIS Controls ensure you’re not blindly relying on brand reputation.
• “Is this too complicated for a small business?”
  No. By following a structured checklist, SMBs can apply scalable protections.
• “What happens if my provider won’t comply?”
  That’s a red flag. It might be time to reconsider the partnership.

How Farmhouse Networking Helps:
At Farmhouse Networking, we help businesses create service provider inventories, negotiate stronger contracts, and set up monitoring strategies aligned with CIS Controls. We act as your vendor management partner so you can focus on growth rather than worrying about third-party risks.

Want to secure your business through smarter Service Provider Management? Email us at support@farmhousenetworking.com to learn how we can build a safer future for your company.