Third-Party Security Assessment Status

This question asks if you've had an independent security expert thoroughly examine your systems in the past year - not just automated scans, but a comprehensive review by outside professionals. It's like getting a home inspection before selling your house; an unbiased third party looks for problems you might have missed or gotten used to. This includes penetration testing, security audits, or formal assessments that provide an objective view of your security posture.

Third-party assessments are often mandatory for enterprise deals - 78% of Fortune 500 companies require them from vendors. Having a recent assessment can shorten your sales cycle by 6-8 weeks and allows you to command premium pricing by demonstrating security maturity. Without one, you'll lose deals to competitors who can provide assessment reports. The assessment also provides a roadmap for improvements that reduce your actual breach risk by 60% and can lower cyber insurance costs by up to 40%.

Companies often confuse automated vulnerability scans with true third-party assessments - buyers want human expertise, not just tool reports. Another mistake is using assessments older than 12 months; security requirements and your systems change too quickly for old reports to be relevant. Some companies hide assessment results that show vulnerabilities instead of demonstrating how they've addressed findings, missing the opportunity to show security maturity.