Supplier assessment – Reducing risk with certification

What is supplier evaluation and why essential for Dutch companies?

A supplier assessment is the process by which you test whether (potential) suppliers meet your requirements for security, continuity, compliance and performance. Consider:

• Do they have ISO certification?
• How do they handle personal data (AVG)?
• Are their systems robust and secure?
• What happens in the event of an incident or malfunction?

Especially in the Netherlands, where laws and regulations such as the AVG, NEN7510 and BIO are strict, it is no superfluous luxury to test suppliers structurally. This applies to:

• SMES: IT budgets are limited, so every euro counts.
• Healthcare institutions: Legal duty to secure data processing.
• Governments: Obligations from the Government Information Security Baseline (BIO).
• Financial sector: DNB supervision, Wwft obligations.

A good supplier evaluation prevents reputational damage, legal claims and ensures demonstrable compliance.

Implementing supplier assessment in the Netherlands – Practical guide

Step 1: Inventory & classification

Map all your suppliers and categorize them by risk. An external IT administrator scores higher than the coffee supplier.

Step 2: Compliance check

Check if suppliers have certifications such as ISO27001 or NEN7510. No certificate? Then request the security policy.

Step 3: Due diligence

Examine financial health, legal structure and technical maturity. Use questionnaires and interviews.

Step 4: Contractualization

Capture security and compliance requirements in an SLA or processing agreement. Don’t forget exit strategy.

Tools

Use scorecards, standard questionnaires and risk reports. ALTA-ICT provides templates and frameworks for these.

ALTA approach

We combine technical checks, legal frameworks and compliance audits into a manageable and scalable process.

Common mistakes and how ALTA-ICT prevents them

• Relying on self-reporting, “They say they are safe” is not proof. We demand substantiation or audit reports.
• No reassessment: Suppliers change, as do risks. ALTA plans annual reviews.
• Don’t look at subcontractors: Often suppliers outsource tasks. We check those out, too.
• No exit strategy: Upon contract termination, you need to maintain access to data and systems. We help arrange that in advance.

 

ROI of supplier evaluation for Dutch SMEs

Good assessment is not a cost, but an investment. Examples:

• Preventing data breaches: An AVG fine can reach up to €20 million.
• Better bargaining power: With data on performance, you are stronger.
• Faster audit-ready: ISO or NEN audits go more smoothly with good documentation.
• Lower downtime: Proactive insight prevents outages.

 

ALTA-ICT approach: why we make a difference

At ALTA-ICT, you don’t get a checklist, you get a full-service approach:

• ISO27001, ISO9001, NEN7510 certified team
• Dutch specialization: AP, DNB, NEN guidelines
• Customized supplier analysis (scorecards, risk matrix)
• Annual re-assessments & updates
• Fully AVG compliant
• Real-time monitoring & alerts at critical suppliers

Case: A healthcare client engaged ALTA-ICT. Out of 12 IT vendors, 3 were found to be non-compliant. Within 6 weeks, the chain was 100% compliant.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Should I assess suppliers annually?
Yes. Annual reassessment is best practice, especially with critical suppliers.

How do I know if a vendor is AVG compliant?
Ask about a processing agreement and security measures.

What is a supplier audit?
An in-depth examination of a vendor’s compliance, security and continuity.

Do small businesses need this too?
Absolutely. SMEs are also responsible for chain safety.

What does supplier assessment cost?
Depending on scope. ALTA-ICT offers a free quick scan.

Is ISO certification mandatory for my suppliers?
Not always, but highly recommended for critical IT parties.

Conclusion: chain risks are your risks

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. At a time when data, privacy and digital continuity are crucial, supplier assessment is no longer an optional luxury. It is a must.

At ALTA-ICT, we help you with:

• Risk assessment
• Compliancy checks
• Contract Consulting
• Ongoing monitoring

Ready for secure, compliant collaborations? We’re here for you.