Certified: The Security+ Prepcast

In cybersecurity, relationships with vendors, service providers, and partners are governed not only by trust—but by formal agreements. These agreements define the responsibilities, expectations, and rules that shape how each party interacts. Without clear agreements, misunderstandings grow, accountability weakens, and security risks multiply. In this episode, we explore two important types of business agreements that are commonly referenced on the Security Plus exam: the Service-Level Agreement and the Memorandum of Agreement or Memorandum of Understanding. These documents set the foundation for secure, effective third-party relationships.
Let’s start with the Service-Level Agreement. Commonly referred to as an S L A, the Service-Level Agreement is one of the most widely used contract components in business and technology environments. An S L A is a formal agreement between a service provider and a customer that defines exactly what level of service will be delivered, how that service will be measured, and what happens if the provider fails to meet those expectations.
Service-Level Agreements are typically part of broader contracts, but they stand out because of their specificity. A good S L A spells out details like system availability, response times, issue resolution times, and support hours. It may also define performance metrics, such as transaction speeds, error rates, or backup frequency. Most importantly, it explains what actions will be taken if the provider falls short—such as service credits, escalation procedures, or termination rights.
Let’s walk through a practical example. A midsize e-commerce company signs a hosting contract with a cloud provider. The Service-Level Agreement specifies that the hosting platform will maintain ninety-nine point nine percent uptime each month. That translates to about forty-three minutes of allowable downtime. The S L A also states that critical issues must receive a support response within fifteen minutes, and major incidents must be resolved within two hours. If these targets are missed, the provider must offer service credits equal to a percentage of that month’s bill. This agreement provides the customer with confidence, recourse, and visibility—and it gives the provider a clear operational target.
S L A enforcement is not just about penalties—it’s also about performance monitoring. Organizations should track metrics related to their vendors to ensure that service levels are being met. Some teams create dashboards or generate monthly reports that compare actual uptime, response times, or ticket closure rates against the agreed-upon standards. These metrics form the basis for performance reviews, contract renewals, and, if necessary, dispute resolution.
Effective S L As also define responsibilities on both sides. While the provider agrees to meet certain service levels, the customer may also have obligations—such as reporting issues in a timely manner, maintaining access credentials, or staying current on payments. A one-sided S L A can lead to disputes, so both parties should understand and accept their responsibilities.
Now let’s look at a real-world example. A university enters into an agreement with an external email filtering service. The Service-Level Agreement specifies that the service will block ninety-eight percent of known spam and malware and provide real-time reporting to administrators. Within the first month, university staff notice that dozens of phishing emails are bypassing the filter. After reviewing the logs and comparing them to the S L A, they determine that the vendor is only blocking about eighty-nine percent of threats. Because the metrics fall below the agreed-upon level, the university triggers the S L A’s escalation process. The vendor responds by upgrading the organization’s filters and applying customized rules. The enforcement of the S L A leads to improved service and a renewed focus on accountability.
Now let’s shift to two related documents: the Memorandum of Agreement and the Memorandum of Understanding. While these sound similar, and are sometimes used interchangeably, they serve different purposes in establishing relationships between parties.
A Memorandum of Agreement is a formal, legally binding document that defines the specific roles, responsibilities, and commitments of each party in a joint effort. It typically outlines what each side will contribute, what outcomes are expected, and how disputes will be handled. The M O A is more structured and enforceable than other types of informal agreements, and it often includes timelines, deliverables, and enforcement terms. Because it is legally binding, the M O A can be used in court to resolve disputes if one party fails to meet its commitments.
A Memorandum of Understanding is less formal. It is used to outline mutual intentions and shared goals without creating binding legal obligations. An M O U is often used early in a relationship or when parties are testing a collaboration. It helps clarify expectations and responsibilities without creating legal risk. While not enforceable in court the way a formal contract is, an M O U can still carry weight—especially when documented as part of a broader governance structure.
Let’s consider an example of a Memorandum of Agreement. A regional government agency and a private cybersecurity firm sign an M O A to collaborate on emergency incident response. The agreement specifies that the firm will provide twenty-four seven monitoring, threat intelligence sharing, and rapid response services for critical infrastructure. The agency agrees to grant access to system logs, pay a monthly retainer, and participate in quarterly reviews. The M O A includes timelines, confidentiality clauses, and detailed deliverables. Both parties sign it as a formal commitment. This document provides structure, accountability, and legal recourse for both sides.
Now let’s look at a use case for a Memorandum of Understanding. A hospital is considering a partnership with a local university’s cybersecurity research lab. Before signing any contracts, they draft an M O U that outlines their shared interest in developing secure patient data systems. The document states that the hospital will provide anonymized data samples for research, and the university will provide guidance on data protection strategies. The M O U clarifies that there is no financial commitment yet and that either party can withdraw at any time. This allows them to collaborate informally while laying the groundwork for future agreements.
Understanding the difference between an M O A and an M O U is especially important when working with government, academic, or nonprofit partners. Some relationships require firm commitments and enforceable terms. Others benefit from flexibility and gradual development. Knowing when to use each document helps ensure that everyone is aligned—and protected—throughout the relationship.
From a Security Plus exam perspective, you may see questions that describe a scenario and ask you to identify which agreement type applies. If the question involves service delivery with measurable targets and response times, it’s most likely referring to a Service-Level Agreement. If it describes a formal partnership with mutual commitments and legal weight, that points to a Memorandum of Agreement. If it mentions informal collaboration or non-binding intentions, it’s probably a Memorandum of Understanding.
Here is a helpful tip. When the exam question involves performance guarantees, availability percentages, or response time targets, think Service-Level Agreement. If the question describes a binding partnership with defined responsibilities, it’s an M O A. If it sounds more like a handshake agreement with written intentions, it’s an M O U. Match the formality of the document to the nature of the relationship.
For templates, comparison charts, and editable agreement samples that you can study or use in real-world vendor management, visit us at Bare Metal Cyber dot com. And if you want the most exam-focused and practical Security Plus study guide available, head to Cyber Author dot me and order your copy of Achieve CompTIA Security Plus S Y Zero Dash Seven Zero One Exam Success.