We can: Conduct Thorough Vetting Due Diligence: Assess the vendor's financial stability, reputation, and track record through references, reviews, and industry certifications. Security Protocols: Verify the vendor’s security measures, such as data encryption, access controls, and incident response capabilities. Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the vendor adheres to relevant laws and standards like GDPR, HIPAA, or ISO 27001. Technical Capabilities: Evaluate their ability to meet your technical needs through case studies, demos, or proofs of concept. Establish Clear SLAs (Service Level Agreements) Define Metrics: Specify measurable criteria like uptime, response times, and resolution times.

External or third-party service is always a challenge; Communication, system confirmation, managing requirements, issues or balancing. 1. Establishing communication as a regular part of working together. 2. Analysing daily work, achievements, changes, etc. 3. Regular meetings (online) and important visiting a place live. 4. Providing updates regarding operation and work. 5. Operation mode: what is required and verification and support for both sides if any delays or misunderstandings occur.

To reduce the risk associated with third-party vendors one must leverage what vendor's delivery model and avoid getting them out of their comfort / capability zone. Asking them to do something outside of their delivery model create risks. Their growth goals may lead them to make promises that stretch/break their standard delivery model creating risks. This should be avoided.