In this blog, Suna’s Client Success Partner, Hasti Khodadad, explores why vendor security should be a critical part of every staffing conversation, not an afterthought. As staffing partners increasingly manage sensitive personal and corporate data, Hasti outlines the risks of overlooking security, the key questions clients should be asking, and how Suna proactively builds trust by prioritizing cybersecurity, compliance and transparency across all engagements.
Why Security Belongs in the Staffing Conversation
When evaluating staffing and workforce solutions partners, businesses typically zero in on cost, speed and the quality of candidates. While those are foundational metrics, there’s another factor that deserves equal attention; vendor security.
Staffing firms handle an incredible volume of sensitive personal and business data, including Social Security numbers, bank account details, employment records, contracts and even proprietary hiring plans. If this information falls into the wrong hands, it doesn’t just affect the staffing firm, it impacts you, the client.
Security breaches in vendor ecosystems have led to reputational damage, compliance fines and operational disruptions. In some cases, clients of staffing firms have been held liable due to third-party vulnerabilities.
At Suna, we believe vendor security in staffing should be a proactive, central part of every client conversation.
The Real Risks of Overlooking Vendor Security
Staffing partners, like any B2B vendor, are an extension of your internal team and your security perimeter. A weak link in your extended supply chain can lead to:
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Regulatory non-compliance (ex. GDPR, HIPAA, CCPA)
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Financial penalties for breach mismanagement
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Loss of customer and candidate trust
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Downtime due to security incidents or remediation
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Damage to your employer brand and public image
A 2023 report by IBM found that third-party breaches accounted for nearly 15% of all data breach costs, averaging $4.76 million per incident.
When selecting a staffing partner, asking the right security questions can be the difference between peace of mind and expensive damage control.
Questions Every Client Should Be Asking
To safeguard your organization, include vendor security in staffing conversations from the first RFP or discovery call. Ask questions such as:
1. How is data stored and encrypted?
Is the firm using secure cloud storage with encryption at rest and in transit? What protocols (ex. TLS, AES-256) are in place?
2. Who has access and how is it controlled?
Is access to candidate and client data role-based and monitored? Is there multi-factor authentication?
3. How often are systems tested or audited?
Are vulnerability assessments, penetration tests, or SOC 2 audits conducted regularly?
4. What is your incident response plan?
Is there a documented playbook for handling security breaches, including notification protocols?
5. Do you have a Data Protection Officer (DPO) or security lead?
Who is ultimately accountable for protecting client data?
Suna’s Approach to Vendor Security
At Suna, we’ve embedded security into every layer of our operation. We understand that trust isn’t just earned through placements, it’s reinforced by how we protect the information our clients and candidates entrust to us.
Here’s how we prioritize vendor security in staffing:
✅ Secure Systems and Platforms
We partner with vetted technology vendors and implement modern cloud infrastructure with bank-grade encryption standards.
✅ Access Control & Monitoring
Only authorized personnel can access sensitive data. We utilize role-based access, password policies and regular access audits.
✅ Compliance-Driven Protocols
From SOC 2 readiness to GDPR alignment, we’re building and updating processes to meet the strictest data privacy and security standards.
✅ Internal Training & Culture
Our team undergoes regular training on phishing, secure communications and data privacy. Security awareness isn’t optional, it’s part of onboarding.
✅ Incident Readiness
Our incident response framework includes clear steps for containment, investigation, notification and resolution; so our clients are never left in the dark.
Transparency Builds Trust
We believe that transparency is key to building long-term client relationships. When we walk you through our security protocols, it’s not just a checklist, it’s a demonstration of our accountability and commitment to partnership.
This proactive approach also helps our clients meet their own internal procurement standards and audit requirements. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, financial services firm or a tech start-up, your data protection requirements are our priority.
Final Thought: Security is a Shared Responsibility
When clients partner with Suna, they’re choosing a partner who understands that vendor risk is enterprise risk.
If you’re currently evaluating staffing partners, make sure vendor security in staffing isn’t just a side note. Ask tough questions. Expect transparency. And choose partners who are ready to deliver both talent and trust.