Are you considering purchasing security equipment for your business? If so, here is a checklist to help you prepare for your initial vendor consultation.

Security Consultation Checklist

  • Confirm meeting specifics. Clarify where the meeting will take place and how much time you have available to meet. For an initial security assessment, the vendor will likely want a tour of your business facility, so that they can effectively evaluate risks. Ensure that there aren’t conflicting meetings or business operations that would prevent this.
  • Provide the attendee list. Provide the vendor with a list of names of who will attend the initial consultation. Also specify the background of each individual and his or her overall familiarity with the security technologies in consideration. This will allow the vendor to cater presented recommendations to the audience’s knowledge level.
  • Share intended timeline. Let your vendor know when you plan to make a decision on a solution, as well as your expected implementation timeline once a vendor is selected. They will then be able to evaluate, and provide feedback on how that timeline aligns with their installation recommendations.
  • Define your budget. Confirm that funds are available for the services, and define a general range that your organization would like to spend. While your security consultant can provide guidance on an appropriate budget based on your needs, it’s helpful to have a realistic starting point to ensure suggestions are practical.
  • Have a nondisclosure agreement signed. If an NDA is needed for you to share information about your company’s current security practices, network infrastructure or other internal processes, get that documentation completed in advance of the meeting. That way, you and your vendor can talk freely about challenges and opportunities.
  • Know the basics. Your vendor will likely ask questions about your business, current security systems and policies, network configuration and new system requirements. Gather this information from your team in advance so you’re readily able to answer questions, and have copies of current security procedures on hand to share. It may also prove fruitful to ask your vendor what specific information they will need so that you can prepare documentation before they arrive onsite.
  • Read materials sent. If the vendor sends sales materials, initial notes or other resources in advance of the meeting, take the time to familiarize yourself with the contents.

The above checklist can save both yours and the vendor’s time, and help them cater their consultation to your business’ unique needs.