Introduction

Your suppliers, contractors, and partners might not sit in your office, but they can still have access to your systems, data, or processes.
If their security is weak, it becomes your problem when something goes wrong.

ISO 27001 Control 5.19 ensures that information security requirements are built into supplier relationships from the start and monitored throughout.

Summary of Control 5.19: Information Security in Supplier Relationships

🔒 Control Title: Information Security in Supplier Relationships
📘 Source: ISO/IEC 27002:2022, Section 5.19
🧩 Control Category: Organizational
🔍 Attributes:

Control Type: #Preventive / #Detective

Security Properties: #Confidentiality, #Integrity, #Availability

Cybersecurity Concepts: #Protect, #Detect

Operational Capabilities: #Third_Party_Risk_Management

Security Domain: #Protection_and_Defense

Control Objective

To ensure that suppliers and third parties meet your organization’s security requirements when handling your information, systems, or services.

Implementation Guidance

1) Set Security Requirements in Contracts:

• Include clauses on confidentiality, data protection, and compliance with standards like ISO 27001, SOC 2, or relevant regulations

2) Conduct Supplier Risk Assessments:

• Evaluate suppliers’ security posture before onboarding and periodically afterward

3) Limit Supplier Access:

• Apply least privilege and time-bound access for supplier accounts

4) Monitor and Audit:

• Review supplier compliance through reports, audits, and performance metrics

5) Have an Exit Plan:

• Define how data will be returned or securely destroyed when the relationship ends

Why This Control Matters

Without supplier security oversight:

• A breach at your supplier could lead to your data being compromised
• You could face regulatory penalties for third-party mishandling of data
• Trust with customers and partners could be damaged

With strong supplier security management:

• Your data is protected no matter where it goes
• Third parties are held to the same high standards as your internal teams
• Risks are identified and managed proactively

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

• Assuming suppliers have strong security without verifying
• Not reviewing supplier security after contract signing
• Giving long-term, unrestricted access to third parties
• Overlooking subcontractors used by your suppliers

Canadian Cyber’s Take

At Canadian Cyber, we help organizations screen, onboard, and monitor suppliers to ensure they meet your security expectations.
We build compliance into supplier contracts and provide ongoing oversight to reduce third-party risk.

Ready to Make Supplier Security a Strength, Not a Risk?

We can help you create ISO 27001-compliant supplier management processes that protect your business end-to-end.
👉 Click here to start securing your supplier network.

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