AI Supply Chain Risk Management

This question asks whether your company has a plan to manage risks from third-party AI tools, APIs, or services you use in your product. Just like physical supply chains, AI features often rely on external providers (like OpenAI, Google AI, or data labeling services). The question wants to know if you've thought through what happens if these providers have security issues, go offline, or change their terms.

AI supply chain vulnerabilities can cascade into your product, causing data breaches, service outages, or compliance violations that destroy customer trust. By proactively managing these risks, you protect your reputation, ensure business continuity, and demonstrate to enterprise customers that you're a reliable partner who won't expose them to hidden third-party risks. This directly impacts your ability to close deals with security-conscious buyers.

Many companies assume their AI vendors are secure without verification, treating them as black boxes. They often fail to maintain an inventory of all AI dependencies or create contingency plans for vendor failures. Another mistake is not reviewing the data handling practices of AI providers, potentially violating customer data agreements.