Episode 68: Vendor Contracts, SLAs, and Performance Metrics

Securing a vendor is only the beginning—the real work lies in managing performance, risk, and accountability. This episode focuses on the contractual elements that govern third-party relationships, including service level agreements (SLAs), key performance indicators (KPIs), penalties for non-compliance, and confidentiality clauses. You’ll learn how to review and negotiate contracts with a security lens, ensuring that your organization's expectations are explicitly documented and enforceable.

We also cover how to monitor vendor performance over time, including periodic reviews, SLA scorecards, and escalation procedures. CISOs must balance operational needs with legal and reputational exposure, especially in heavily outsourced or regulated environments. The CCISO exam frequently includes contract governance scenarios—this episode prepares you to manage vendor relationships proactively and protect the enterprise from hidden dependencies and underperformance.
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