In addition to the measures mentioned, what other steps can companies take to proactively protect customer information when collaborating with third-party vendors or partners?

In addition to the measures mentioned, companies can also implement strict data access controls to limit the information shared with third-party vendors. They can conduct regular security audits and assessments of their vendors to ensure compliance with data protection regulations. Companies should also require vendors to sign confidentiality agreements and provide training on data security best practices. Additionally, companies can invest in encryption technologies to safeguard sensitive customer information during transfer and storage.