Actionable guidance; systematic vendor vetting that SMEs can do quickly
Start with a lightweight process that any director, accountant, lawyer, or vCISO can run. Keep it consistent; scammers rely on inconsistency.
Step 1; verify the organisation, not the branding
Check what can be independently verified: legal registration and trading history; named leadership; physical address; phone numbers that answer consistently. If a firm claims “10 years of experience” but has a very recent corporate footprint, treat that as a red flag, not a minor detail.
Step 2; confirm claims through the issuing body
If a supplier claims certifications or memberships, verify them via the relevant register rather than trusting logos or PDFs. The same principle applies to “partner” badges. Evidence-led checking is one of the simplest risk mitigation tips available.
Step 3; insist on proof before access or payment
If someone claims they found your exposed data or vulnerabilities, ask for specific, verifiable evidence with safe redactions. A real security team can show what they saw, when they saw it, and how they validated it. If they refuse and escalate urgency, stop.
Step 4; align with recognised UK guidance and basics
Use NCSC advice as your baseline for SME cyber security best practices; strong authentication, secure configuration, and user awareness. Apply that thinking to suppliers too. NCSC supply chain security guidance exists for a reason; third parties are part of your risk surface.
Step 5; contract like you mean it
A legitimate provider will accept normal procurement controls: defined scope, clear deliverables, insurance, incident handling, and an exit plan. If they push for bank transfer “today” to prevent exposure, treat it like any other fraud attempt.
Practical checklist; “pause points” for directors and advisors
Use this short gate before any engagement:
* Evidence of legal identity and trading history checked.
* Claims (certifications, partnerships) verified independently.
* Clear scope, named delivery team, and referenceable clients.
* No admin access granted until contract and MFA are in place.
* Any breach or exposure claim validated with specific proof.
Forward Thinking
SME Cyber Insights will continue covering sme cybersecurity news that affects buying decisions, not just technical controls. Subscribe to get the downloadable “Phantom Firm Vendor Vetting Checklist” plus a one-page supplier questions sheet aligned to Cyber Essentials style controls and NCSC guidance.
