An Irish SME passes client vendor security questionnaires and becomes supplier-ready by meeting NIS2, cyber insurance, and enterprise security requirements in weeks, not months — from emergency questionnaire rescue to a full supplier security programme — without hiring a security team.
This is practical cybersecurity advisory for Irish businesses across manufacturing, logistics, professional services, and technology.
The 10 topics every enterprise security questionnaire covers
Whether it's a 20-question checklist or a 200-page assessment, they all ask about the same core areas. Here's what you'll need to answer — and what "good" looks like.
| Topic | Example question |
|---|---|
| Access Control & Authentication | Do you enforce MFA on all accounts? |
| Data Protection & Encryption | How is data encrypted at rest and in transit? |
| Incident Response | Do you have a documented incident response plan? |
| Business Continuity | What is your backup and recovery strategy? |
| Vendor Management | How do you assess your own suppliers' security? |
| Security Policies | Do you have an information security policy? |
| Employee Training | Do staff receive regular security awareness training? |
| Network Security | How do you protect your network perimeter? |
| Patch Management | How quickly do you apply critical security patches? |
| Physical Security | How is physical access to systems controlled? |
The moment every Irish supplier dreads
A customer security questionnaire just landed in your inbox
You have 14 days to respond — and you don't know what half the questions mean.
Your biggest client is asking for proof of security controls
No policies, no evidence, no documentation. The contract renewal is in 6 weeks.
A tender requires ISO 27001 or 'equivalent security measures'
You're competing against firms that already have this. Without it, you're out.
Your cyber insurer is asking questions you can't answer
Premium increase, coverage reduction, or outright refusal at renewal.
From panic to pass — in four steps
Free 20-Minute Assessment
We review your situation — the questionnaire, the deadline, the client relationship — and tell you exactly where you stand. No jargon, no sales pitch.
Gap Analysis
We map your current security posture against what your customer is asking for. You get a clear picture of what's in place, what's missing, and what matters most.
Targeted Remediation
We fix the gaps — policies, configurations, documentation, evidence. Everything your customer needs to see, built to a standard that will satisfy their security team.
Submission & Support
We help you submit the completed questionnaire with confidence. If the customer's security team has follow-up questions, we're on the call with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How quickly can you turn around a security questionnaire?
For straightforward questionnaires (50–100 questions), we typically deliver within 5–10 business days. For complex assessments or tight deadlines, we offer an expedited service. The first step is always a free call to assess the scope and timeline.
We have no security policies at all. Can you still help?
Yes — that's exactly who we work with. Most Irish SMEs don't have formal security policies. Our 90-Day Programme builds everything from scratch: policies, procedures, technical controls, and documentation. By the end, you'll have a complete security framework that satisfies enterprise audits.
Do we need ISO 27001 certification to pass these audits?
Not usually. Most enterprise customers want to see that you have appropriate controls in place — not necessarily a formal certification. We help you demonstrate security maturity through policies, evidence, and documentation that maps to what auditors actually look for. If certification is specifically required, we can guide you through that process too.
What if we fail the audit anyway?
In our experience, the most common outcome is a conditional pass with a remediation plan. We help you build that plan and execute it. If a customer rejects your submission outright, we'll work with you to understand exactly what they need and address it. Our goal is the same as yours: keep the contract.
How does this relate to NIS2?
NIS2 is the EU directive that's driving much of this supply-chain pressure. Large companies in regulated sectors (energy, transport, health, digital infrastructure) are now required to assess the security of their suppliers. That means more questionnaires, more audits, and higher expectations — even for small suppliers. Our programmes are designed to meet both NIS2 supply-chain requirements and general enterprise security expectations.
What sectors do you work with?
We work with Irish SMEs across manufacturing, logistics, engineering, food production, professional services, SaaS vendors, healthcare suppliers, and construction. The common thread is that they all supply to larger organisations that are now asking security questions.
Related reading
- DORA for ICT Suppliers in Ireland: What Non-Financial SMEs Are Now Required to Do — DORA affects Irish tech and IT suppliers to financial services, not just banks. If a financial client sent you DORA requirements, here's what it means and what you must do.
- Supply Chain Cyber Risk for Irish SMEs: What NIS2 and DORA Actually Require — NIS2 and DORA both mandate supply chain cyber risk management. Here's what Irish SMEs — as suppliers and buyers — are required to do.