What is Third-Party Risk Management?

Dr Magda CHELLY, CISSP, PhD
Responsible Cyber
Published in
3 min readJul 1, 2023

Crucial in the Modern Business Machine

In the expanding digital universe where businesses have become increasingly interconnected, the concept of risk management has transformed dramatically. Among the multiple aspects of contemporary risk management, one facet that has emerged as particularly crucial is Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM). If you’re venturing into the realm of TPRM for the first time, this comprehensive guide will help demystify its fundamentals and highlight its critical importance in the modern business landscape.

TPRM

The Essence of Third-Party Risk Management

TPRM pertains to the systematic process of identifying, evaluating, and mitigating the risks that arise from an organization’s dealings with third-party entities. This could include any external party the organization interacts with, from vendors and suppliers to contractors and consultants.

The primary objective of TPRM is to ensure that the operations, integrity, or reputation of your organization are not jeopardized due to the actions or shortcomings of any associated third parties.

Expanding the Horizons of TPRM

TPRM encompasses an array of risks, spanning multiple aspects of business operations:

  1. Cybersecurity Risk: A third party could potentially become a vulnerability in your organization’s cybersecurity defense, leading to possible data breaches or unauthorized access to sensitive information.
  2. Compliance Risk: This refers to the risk of legal or financial implications due to a third party’s non-compliance with relevant laws, regulations, or industry standards.
  3. Operational Risk: This relates to the risk of disruptions or inefficiencies in your organization’s operations due to a third party’s failure, incompetence, or inefficiency.
  4. Financial Risk: This entails the monetary risks associated with third-party relationships, such as insolvency of a supplier or the potential costs of replacing a provider.
  5. Reputational Risk: This involves the potential harm to your organization’s reputation caused by a third party’s actions, which can result in diminished customer trust or adverse stakeholder perception.

Why TPRM Matters Now More Than Ever

In the current era, businesses are no longer isolated entities. They operate in a complex web of relationships with numerous external parties. With the rise of outsourcing, strategic partnerships, and complex supply chains, reliance on third parties has intensified, escalating the potential for associated risks.

Simultaneously, regulatory bodies globally have started to place more emphasis on effective TPRM. Regulations like GDPR and CCPA, industry standards like ISO 27001, and risk frameworks such as NIST now necessitate robust TPRM practices.

Charting the Path Ahead

As risk managers navigating the evolving digital landscape, incorporating TPRM into our broader risk management strategies is not just desirable but essential. Effective TPRM not only shields our organizations from potential pitfalls but also fortifies our relationships with third parties, enhancing transparency and collaboration.

Navigating the complexities of TPRM may seem daunting, but it is an investment that reaps substantial rewards in the long run. As we steer our organizations in a world where success depends not only on our capabilities but also on the competencies of the partners we work with, mastering TPRM becomes an indispensable asset.

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Dr Magda CHELLY, CISSP, PhD
Responsible Cyber

Cyberfeminist | Entrepreneur | Former CISO | PhD, CISSP, S-CISO | CoFounder Responsible Cyber | @womenoncyber | Documentary The Dark Web on @myCanal