Episode 49 — Manage Third-Party Contracts: SLAs, Audit Rights, Breach Terms, and Ownership
This episode focuses on third-party contracts as the mechanism that turns security expectations into enforceable obligations, a leadership skill tested on the exam through vendor management and program governance scenarios. You will learn how to structure SLAs around availability and support responsiveness, define breach notification timelines and required content, and ensure audit rights and evidence access are explicit enough to be useful during real incidents. We discuss data ownership and handling terms, including return and deletion requirements, sub-processor controls, and exit provisions that reduce lock-in and prevent residual exposure after termination. A scenario explores a vendor incident where delayed disclosure and ambiguous obligations create downstream harm, illustrating how well-written terms change outcomes. Troubleshooting considerations include contracts that rely on vague “commercially reasonable” language, mismatched responsibilities under shared responsibility models, and renewals that occur without security term review, highlighting how to build a repeatable contract security checklist leaders can enforce. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
