As cyber threats become more sophisticated and complex, businesses need not only to ensure they are secure, but that their vital partners, suppliers and vendors are protecting themselves as well.
On-Site Visits
When should I go on-site to meet with my vendor?
For some vendors, you can do business all in writing, though many require phone conversations (desk assessments). Depending on the strategic nature of the relationship and the goods or services delivered, on-site visits may be warranted, both during vendor selection and for ongoing relationship management. According to the OCC, "On-site visits may be useful to understand fully the third-party's operations and capacity."
The important thing here is to make sure you are focusing your scarce resources and travel budget on visiting those vendors that are most strategic to your business and/or have the highest levels of network access.