News and Insights – August 2015

Small businesses in Argentina continue to rely heavily on vendors to support everything from internet and email to software and cybersecurity. But what happens when those vendors fall short—or worse, when they create hidden risks that can impact your operations?

This month, we’re helping you uncover red flags in your current vendor relationships and offering a practical resource to evaluate your providers more objectively.

Vendor Risk Is a Business Risk

Your business may depend on third parties to deliver IT support, security, backup, or even cloud platforms—but each of those relationships introduces potential vulnerabilities. Inconsistent service, outdated infrastructure, and opaque pricing are just some of the issues that can derail your strategy.

5 Red Flags That Warrant Closer Inspection

• Lack of documentation or formal service agreements
• Unclear escalation or support processes
• Delays in system recovery or unresolved incidents
• Missing certifications or security frameworks
• No visibility into subcontracted third parties

Take Action With a Simple Evaluation

Here is a practical tool to help you assess your current IT vendors: IT Vendor Risk Self-Assessment

At Virtus Group, we encourage SMBs to ask tougher questions of their IT suppliers and make decisions based on transparency and long-term alignment—not convenience or inertia.