Choosing the Right Security Questionnaire: CAIQ vs. SIG

Vendor risk assessments are part of doing business today. But when you're picking a questionnaire to vet a new partner, you're probably stuck choosing between CAIQ and SIG.

Both CAIQ and SIG are popular, but they solve different problems. Pick the wrong one and you'll slow down onboarding, annoy vendors, or miss critical risks. Know the difference between CAIQ and SIG, and you'll run smoother third-party risk management while keeping your compliance program lean.

What is CAIQ?

CAIQ stands for Consensus Assessments Initiative Questionnaire. It's a standardized self-assessment developed by the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) to help organizations evaluate the security controls of cloud service providers.

Traditionally CAIQ questionnaires use a yes/no format that maps directly to the  CSA's Cloud Controls Matrix (CCM). However, some newer versions like CAIQ v4 may request additional details and granularity in responses, such as explanations, references, or attachments.

While it is mainly designed for cloud providers, it is also used by enterprises to assess any service provider that touches cloud environments.

There are two common versions of CAIQ questionnaires:

• Full CAIQ: Contains 261 questions covering 197 control objectives across 17 security domains
• CAIQ Lite: A streamlined version with 124 questions that covers all major CCM domains but takes less time to complete

CAIQ questionnaires are designed specifically for cloud service providers, including Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS) companies.

What is SIG? 

SIG (Standardized Information Gathering) is a vendor assessment questionnaire built by Shared Assessments to measure third-party risk.

While CAIQ focuses on cloud, SIG covers everything: enterprise risk management, data privacy, operational resilience, and IT operations. You can use it to assess any vendor, not just cloud providers.

SIG comes in two versions:

• SIG Core: Around 855 questions across 19 risk domains
• Sig Lite: 126 questions for quick, high-level checks

Shared Assessments members update SIG questionnaires every year, so they always reflect the latest regulations and industry standards.

SIG maps to over 35 regulatory frameworks, including:

• ISO 27001 and other ISO standards
• GDPR and other privacy regulations
• NIST Cybersecurity Framework
• HIPAA
• SOC 2

Comparing CAIQ and SIG

Scope and focus

This is where you’ll find the biggest distinction between the two types of questionnaire. CAIQ is focused exclusively on cloud security controls and is most often used for Software as a Service, Platform as a Service, and Infrastructure as a Service providers.

Customization options

CAIQ offers minimal customization options and in most cases the questions follow a standard yes or no format. In contrast, SIG is much more flexible, enabling you to scope questions based on vendor risk levels or regulatory needs. 

CAIQ maps directly to the Cloud Controls Matrix, which zeros in on cloud security. By contrast, SIG provides broader coverage across multiple domains and frameworks, making it well-suited for organizations managing a diverse vendor ecosystem beyond just cloud providers.

Cost structure

CAIQ is freely available through CSA resources, while SIG requires an annual license fee that starts around $6,500 (plus additional costs for training and support).

Choosing the Right Questionnaire for Your Needs

Both CAIQ and SIG security questionnaires matter for vendor risk management. But they have different use cases,

Both CAIQ and SIG are commonly used tools in vendor risk management. But their use cases differ: CAIQ is tailored for assessing cloud providers against CSA’s controls and its yes/no format is great for companies working with a high number of vendors. While SIG spans multiple risk domains, making it your go-to for deep dives with potential partners.

Need help? At Workstreet, we build vendor risk programs that get thorough results without the bloat. Our managed security and compliance services help you pick and deploy the right assessment approach for your needs.

CAIQ and SIG Questionnaire FAQs

What is the difference between CAIQ Lite and SIG Lite?

CAIQ Lite and SIG Lite are condensed versions of the Full CAIQ and SIG Core questionnaires. CAIQ Lite contains 124 questions (compared to 261 in Full CAIQ) and SIG Lite contains 126 questions (compared to 855 in SIG Core).

Can vendors use the same CAIQ response for multiple customers?

CAIQ questionnaires can be reused across multiple partners. The standard format also lets you compare responses between vendors at a glance.Many cloud service providers also publish completed CAIQ (and/or STAR Self-Assessment) in the CSA STAR registry

How often do CAIQ and SIG questionnaires get updated?

CAIQ updates with the Cloud Controls Matrix every few years. SIG updates annually through Shared Assessments to catch regulatory and industry changes.