Map answers to controls, not questions
Two buyers will phrase 'do you encrypt data at rest' a hundred different ways. Store your answers indexed by SOC 2 / ISO 27001 / NIST 800-53 control, not by the question text. The matching engine handles the rest.
Always cite the artifact
Every yes/no answer should reference a supporting artifact: policy doc, control test result, pentest summary, SOC 2 Type II report excerpt. Bare 'Yes' answers prolong the review.
The template outline
Governance
- ISMS scope statement
- Security officer named
- Board oversight cadence
Access Control
- SSO + MFA enforcement
- Access review cadence
- Privileged access management
Data Protection
- Encryption at rest (algorithm + key mgmt)
- Encryption in transit (TLS version)
- Data residency options
Resilience
- RTO / RPO commitments
- Backup test cadence
- Last DR exercise date
Frequently asked questions
How long should a security questionnaire response take?
With a maintained answer library, a 200-question CAIQ should take under 4 hours. From scratch, expect 3–5 days.
Can AI fill out a security questionnaire?
AI can match questions to your existing controls and draft answers. A human security lead must approve before submission.