Blog | G5 Cyber Security

B2B Security Agreement Guide

G5 Cyber Security

TL;DR

This guide helps businesses create a clear security agreement when sharing data with partners (Business-to-Business, or B2B). It covers what to include in the agreement and how to make sure everyone understands it. A strong agreement protects your information and builds trust.

1. Understand Why You Need an Agreement

Sharing data with other businesses is common, but it also creates risks. An agreement sets out expectations for how that data will be handled. It should cover:

2. Key Sections of Your B2B Security Agreement

  1. Definitions: Clearly explain terms like “Confidential Information”, “Data Breach”, and “Personal Data”.
  2. Scope of the Agreement: What data is covered? Which services or projects does it apply to?
  3. Security Requirements: This is the core. Be specific! Examples:
    • Encryption: “Partner shall encrypt all Confidential Information both in transit and at rest using AES-256 encryption or higher.”
    • Access Control: “Access to Confidential Information will be limited to employees with a legitimate business need, following the principle of least privilege.”
    • Vulnerability Management: “Partner shall conduct regular vulnerability scans (at least quarterly) and promptly remediate any identified vulnerabilities.”
  4. Data Usage Restrictions: What can they *not* do with your data? For example:
    • “Partner will not sell, rent, or lease Confidential Information to third parties.”
    • “Partner will only use Confidential Information for the purpose of providing [service name].”
  5. Incident Response Plan: What happens if there’s a breach?
    • Notification Timeline: “Partner shall notify us within 24 hours of discovering any Data Breach.”
    • Remediation Steps: Outline what the partner must do to contain and fix the breach.
    • Cooperation: “Both parties will cooperate fully in investigating and resolving any Data Breach.”
  6. Compliance with Laws: State that both businesses will follow relevant data protection laws.
    • Example: “Partner shall comply with all applicable data privacy regulations, including GDPR and CCPA.”
  7. Audit Rights: Do you have the right to check their security practices? If so, specify how often and what they need to provide.
    • Example: “We reserve the right to audit Partner’s security controls annually.”
  8. Term and Termination: How long does the agreement last? What happens when it ends?
    • Data Return/Deletion: “Upon termination, Partner shall return all Confidential Information or securely delete it.”

3. Making Sure Everyone Understands

  1. Plain Language: Avoid legal jargon whenever possible. Write clearly and concisely.
  2. Mutual Review: Have both sides review the agreement with their legal teams.
  3. Signatures: Get a signed copy from an authorized representative of each company. 
    # Example signature block (not legally binding - consult a lawyer)
    Signed:
_____________________________
Name:
Title:
Date:
Company:
  4. Regular Updates: Review and update the agreement periodically, especially if your data sharing practices change.

4. Technical Considerations

While the agreement is legal, technical implementation is vital:

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