Note: The scrutiny applied here should mirror the rigor used when vetting healthcare cybersecurity companies.
1. "How do you handle compliance for regulated industries?"
You need to verify their grasp of data protection. If a firm cannot articulate its approach to HIPAA, for example, it is likely not enterprise-ready. A partner who treats regulatory adherence as a core engineering principle is essential.
2. "Can you walk through your disaster recovery plan?"
Servers fail. A competent partner must have a documented protocol for data backups to ensure business continuity.
3. "How is security integrated into your SDLC?"
Security cannot be an afterthought. Ask about their DevSecOps maturity and how they handle vulnerability management.
4. "What is your approach to future-proofing technology stacks?"
Code written today should be flexible enough to integrate tomorrow’s advancements without requiring a complete rewrite.
5. "How do you manage intellectual property rights?"
Ambiguity here leads to legal battles. Ensure the contract states that the client owns the code immediately upon payment.
6. "Which specific AI frameworks does your team utilize?"
General claims of expertise are insufficient. You need to hear specific mentions of tools that align with your needs.
7. "What is your process for managing scope creep?"
Uncontrolled changes destroy budgets. A formal change request process is a sign of professional management.
8. "How do you ensure accessibility in your builds?”
Inclusivity is a mandate. Ask them how they test for WCAG. If they don't have a clear answer, they are leaving you open to potential lawsuits.
9. "How do you manage data privacy for European users?"
Data sovereignty is a major legal hurdle. Rigorous adherence to GDPR frameworks has become standard operating procedure for Indian companies serving global clients.
10. "How do you validate financial security standards?"
If your platform processes payments, ask specifically about their experience with PCI DSS. This standard is critical for any fintech application.
