Security budgets are tight. The threat landscape isn’t. If you’re evaluating cybersecurity partners, this checklist helps you separate marketing from material capability—fast.
Look for end-to-end coverage—GRC, SOC, IR, CRaaS, DRaaS, and BC/DR planning (BIA/RTO/RPO)—plus documented runbooks and the ability to run a BC/DR test with stated RTO/RPO targets. Executive-level continuity support and scalable skilled resources are must-haves.
Partners should leverage AI and automation in core operations, integrate advanced tooling to your needs, and be explicit about Sentinel/Defender and SOAR integration for AI-driven auto-remediation.
Favor firms with proven delivery across ≥3 industries and specific experience in healthcare, public sector, and financial services.
Expect native Microsoft Defender/Sentinel integration, multi-cloud support (Azure/AWS/GCP), and a commitment to share telemetry and artifacts (alerts, hunt reports, DR test results) with you and your partners.
Insist on right-sized packages for small and mid-size orgs, ≤30-day onboarding for baseline services, flexible pricing, and support for nonprofits/public sector with favorable pricing.
Verify HIPAA posture and familiarity with GDPR/DORA where relevant, and require appropriate cyber/tech E&O insurance for the engagement size.
Confirm current certifications in compliance, security, and technology across the delivery team.
Tested RTO/RPO and DR runbooks you can audit.
Automated evidence and safe, governed auto-remediation via Sentinel/Defender/SOAR.
Interoperable artifacts into your SIEM/ITSM and shared with partners.
30-day onboarding path with flexible, SMB-friendly packaging.
If you’d like a quick walkthrough of this checklist (or the healthcare-focused version), we’re happy to help.
Fidantis Strategies • Protect critical operations. Enable digital continuity.