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10 Questions Cybersecurity Managers Should Ask Global Vendors

No one wakes up wanting to deal with a data breach. But if your company wants to grow globally—and, frankly, even just to operate smoothly—these conversations with global vendors are not optional anymore. The lines between responsibility, trust, reputation, and risk have blurred. Whether you’re an IT cybersecurity manager, global mobility expert, or handling HR for a larger workforce, asking the right questions can be the difference between sleeping well and fielding panic calls at midnight.

I’ve seen companies, especially those at pivotal growth stages like Series B or C, skip past vital topics. They often shy away from hard questions when evaluating international partners. Sometimes it’s because they don’t know what to ask. Sometimes they just hope for the best. But the right questions give clarity—and help you build a stronger foundation for your business, especially partnering with solution-focused organizations like EWS Limited, who specialize in securing and streamlining international workforce growth.

Your vendor’s answers aren’t just checkboxes. They reveal priorities, habits, and, sometimes, warning signs.

Before diving in, think about why these questions matter to you. What’s at stake if a vendor doesn’t have a good answer? Is the risk something your team is willing, or even legally allowed, to shoulder?

Why questions matter more when you go global

Collaboration feels easier when everyone is in the same building—or even just in the same country. But business isn’t local anymore. Distributed workforces, global payroll, cloud systems, and cross-border regulations collide daily. You’ll often deal with rules and risks you never even considered before. Solutions like centralized global workforce management have enabled smoother growth, but every new team member or vendor in a new country brings new questions you must answer up front.

Perhaps you’ve outsourced payroll to a specialist, or maybe your HR department now sits across three continents. Global expansion makes asking the right questions less of an exercise and more like mandatory insurance. One overlooked detail can snowball into compliance headaches, regulatory fines, or worse—outright loss of trust. So, these are ten questions cybersecurity managers should always keep at the ready.

1. how do you secure our data—wherever it lives?

This is the core question. Data is everywhere: on laptops, servers, clouds, even personal phones. Ask vendors, “How do you secure customer or workforce data—no matter the device or country?”

• Do they use encryption, and if so, is it during both transmission and storage?
• What about personal devices used by remote staff?
• Do they offer clear documentation proving security controls are maintained, especially for sensitive payroll or HR data?

Dig into their policies. Can they provide proof, like third-party audit results? If EWS Limited is helping to centralize your information, you can expect clear guidelines for handling global employment and workforce data, but never assume the same for all vendors. Ask for evidence, not just promises.

Ask for proof—never just promises.

2. what certifications, audits, or compliance frameworks do you follow?

Don’t just accept “we are compliant” at face value. Most companies say the right things. But can they show you actual certificates, SOC 2 reports, ISO 27001 compliance, or GDPR audit findings? The National Cybersecurity Alliance advises asking vendors about their certifications and how often they’re audited. Questions like:

• Which countries’ laws do you ensure compliance with?
• How often are certifications renewed?
• Are there any audit results you can share?

Be wary of anyone who delays or gets defensive here. In global mobility, a partner’s compliance record directly impacts your risk of fines and investigations. For a checklist you can trust, review the clear guidance in the compliance checklist for international hiring in 2025.

3. what happens when something goes wrong?

No security system is perfect. Mistakes, breaches, and incidents happen. That’s why every responsible vendor should be able to explain their incident response plan with confidence. Ask:

• What constitutes a “security incident” in your world?
• Who do we contact in an emergency—and do they have 24/7 response coverage, especially if you’re in different time zones?
• How is the incident communicated to us, and how quickly?

Companies who have thought this through won’t just hand you a templated list—they’ll outline real scenarios, communications plans, and follow-up policies. If they can’t, keep looking.

“How will you tell us when something breaks?”

4. do you have robust employee security training?

The National Cybersecurity Alliance study highlights the value of employee awareness training. Human error is responsible for a large fraction of breaches. What ongoing training do they provide to their staff—especially those with access to sensitive payroll, HR, or customer data?

• Is training provided to all staff or just IT?
• Are refresher courses required, and how often?
• How are staff tested on what they’ve learned?

If the vendor shrugs or only discusses a one-time onboarding seminar, that’s a red flag. At EWS Limited, we know that human factors are often the weakest point in a strong process. Training should be an ongoing conversation, not just something on a checklist.

5. how often do you update your software and patch vulnerabilities?

Unpatched systems are a favorite pathway for attackers. It’s common sense to ask vendors: “How often do you update your platforms and remediate vulnerabilities?” Don’t settle for vague replies like “regularly.”

• Is there a set schedule for updates?
• Do they use a recognized vulnerability management program?
• Are updates pushed automatically or on-demand?

Vendors who take this seriously usually have clear timelines. They can share release notes and vulnerabilities addressed. A strong vendor should also be able to quickly report on recent security fixes, much like those involved in supporting centralized workforce infrastructure at EWS Limited.

6. how do you control and monitor access to our data?

Controlling who accesses sensitive data, and at what level, is non-negotiable. Ask about their access controls:

• Is access restricted based on job responsibilities?
• Do they keep access logs, and are these monitored?
• Can they provide details on who accessed which data, and when?

Ask what happens to accounts when a staff member leaves—are they disabled immediately, or are there delays? Given how global vendors often operate 24/7, access controls can get out of sync quickly. This is especially relevant for those managing international contractors and remote teams, as noted in this analysis of the legal risks of misclassifying international workers.

7. how do you handle regulatory changes in different countries?

Regulatory environments are shifting—sometimes overnight. New privacy, tax, or labor rules can emerge faster than many vendors can adapt to. Ask vendors:

• Who tracks changes in the countries where you operate?
• How quickly do you update policies and infrastructure?
• Can you share examples of recent adaptations?

Your vendor’s ability to adapt is almost as important as their existing compliance. If they support global mobility or payroll (as EWS Limited does), they should work with local experts and update their legal, HR, and technical teams as often as required. A vendor satisfied with the status quo is a hidden risk.

“Do you move as fast as the world changes?”

8. can you show us your business continuity and disaster recovery plans?

What’s their plan if the worst happens—a massive data loss, ransomware attack, or natural disaster? Business continuity and disaster recovery planning are central topics for any reliable partner.

• What are their recovery point objectives (RPO) and recovery time objectives (RTO)?
• Do they simulate disaster scenarios and test their backups regularly?
• How do they ensure minimal downtime affecting your business?

Global vendors face tricky questions in disaster planning, since incidents rarely respect borders. If they support distributed workforces, as described in the strategic role of global mobility for company growth, ask for examples of how their plans address staff and data across regions.

9. are third-party partners and subcontractors held to the same standards?

It’s rare for a vendor to operate alone. They will have partners, platform providers, and external consultants. Ask,

• Who are your key third-party providers?
• How do you vet their security?
• Are they contractually obliged to maintain the same (or higher) security standards?
• Do you audit them regularly?

This is another area where direct answers matter. If their partners represent new blind spots, your business might be exposed indirectly. Make sure your vendor’s security is not just surface-deep.

10. can you give us references or case studies—preferably from similar industries?

References are more than a checkbox. You want to hear from peers—businesses in similar regulatory environments facing similar risks. Ask for:

• References from companies with similar global footprint or compliance obligations.
• Case studies detailing how incidents were handled or how the relationship evolved.
• Any documented feedback (positive or not) on recent audits or security reviews.

If a vendor is proud of their work with global mobility, payroll processing, or compliance—especially with clients expanding to new regions—they’ll have stories to share. It’s always more reassuring to hear how they really perform, not just how they talk in marketing meetings.

You learn more from a story than a slide deck.

What to watch for: red flags and green lights

Throughout my years advising growing companies, I’ve seen some common responses you’ll want to watch out for. Here are a few:

• Evading details: Answers like “we can’t share that” (without a reason) are worrying.
• Paper policies, no practice: If everything sounds perfect on paper but lacks proof, be skeptical.
• Slow updates to regulation: If they miss legal changes or seem surprised by new rules, be wary.
• Unwillingness to share references: A trustworthy partner is happy to show off good relationships.

On the positive side:

• Open communication: Honest about past incidents, fast to provide evidence or documentation.
• Living up to their claims: Certifications and references, verified again and again.
• Clear boundaries: Know what they handle, and what is your responsibility.

Tying it back to your goals

Choosing global vendors isn’t just about ticking compliance boxes. It’s about reducing risk, supporting company growth, and making international work less stressful. These questions aren’t only for big companies or highly regulated industries—they protect everyone, from HR directors to C-level execs. If you’re in the process of setting up in a new country or hiring globally, revisit the reasons outlined in the benefits and challenges of expanding your workforce globally. Consider how each question above fits with your risk tolerance and priorities.

Conclusion: taking the next step with confidence

No business grows in a vacuum. As you expand, the need for careful, smart vendor selection only grows. These ten questions help you see past glossy sales pitches and get to the heart of whether a vendor really protects you—or just says they do. And if you’re looking for partners who truly “connect the dots” for secure, global growth, EWS Limited brings experience, clarity, and proven structure to your journey. Want to build a future for your business that’s as resilient as it is ambitious? Start a conversation with us today.

Frequently asked questions

What is a global cybersecurity vendor?

A global cybersecurity vendor is a company that provides security products or services to organizations operating in multiple countries. These vendors help safeguard digital assets, ensure regulatory compliance across borders, and support secure operations for multinational workforces. Their scope may include risk assessments, secure payroll platforms, global mobility security, and other solutions tailored for cross-border business, like those supported by EWS Limited.

How to evaluate a vendor’s security standards?

To evaluate a vendor’s security standards, start by reviewing their documented security policies and certifications (such as SOC 2 or ISO 27001). Ask about audit results, incident response plans, and frequency of software updates. Seek references or case studies and confirm their practices align with current regulations. The National Cybersecurity Alliance lists key questions every business should ask, including how vendors protect data, train staff, and manage security incidents.

What are the best questions to ask vendors?

The best questions to ask vendors touch on data security, compliance, risk response, and third-party oversight. Here are a few examples:

• How do you secure our data?
• What compliance certifications do you hold?
• What’s your process if a security incident occurs?
• How do you vet and monitor your third-party partners?
• How do you track and respond to regulatory changes?

Clear, honest answers should be expected. For a detailed list, see the earlier sections in this article.

How can I check vendor compliance?

Check vendor compliance by reviewing their up-to-date certifications, audit summaries, and policy documentation. Ask for evidence of compliance with relevant country laws and frameworks. Use independent audits or consultancies for verification if possible. Some organizations even provide compliance checklists for international hiring and vendor evaluation, as shown in the EWS Limited compliance checklist.

How much do global vendors cost?

Costs can vary widely based on the type of service, countries involved, and complexity of your security needs. Some vendors offer fixed pricing, while others charge per user, region, or according to custom requirements. The investment reflects not just toolset but the level of engagement, certifications, and ongoing regulatory monitoring you require. It’s always best to request clear quotes, including any extra fees for urgent support or compliance updates, during your initial discussions.