Privacy Resource

Vendor Privacy Assessment Guide

Review third-party vendors and processors handling customer, employee, or business personal data.

Last Updated: May 2026

Purpose

Why Vendor Privacy Reviews Matter

Many privacy risks come from systems outside your direct control: SaaS platforms, marketing tools, analytics vendors, cloud services, and support platforms.

A vendor assessment helps understand what data is shared, why it is shared, how it is protected, and what obligations exist.

Checklist

Vendor Assessment Areas

Data shared with vendor
Purpose of sharing
Processing location
Security controls
Retention and deletion terms
Sub-processor visibility
Incident notification obligations
Contractual privacy terms

Practical review

How to Prioritize Vendors

High Data Volume

Prioritize vendors processing large customer or employee datasets.

Sensitive Data

Prioritize vendors handling identity, financial, health, children’s, or regulated data.

Business Criticality

Review vendors embedded deeply into product, operations, analytics, or customer support.