Score exposure using external signals, contract triggers, and runtime telemetry—so remediation isn’t guesswork.
The problem with questionnaires
Self-attestations age quickly and skew optimistic. They’re still useful, but they must be paired with observable data to reflect reality.
A layered model for vendor exposure
- External posture signals: Domain hygiene, breach chatter, certificate and DNS hygiene, public issues repos.
- Contractual triggers: Data processed, role (processor/controller), sub-processors, sanctions-screening obligations, audit rights.
- Runtime telemetry: API rate anomalies, error spikes, unusual geos, overnight job expansions.
- Behavioral history: Responsiveness to due diligence, prior incident transparency, SLA performance.
Scoring framework (keep it simple)
- Impact: What could go wrong if this vendor fails? (data sensitivity, revenue dependence)
- Likelihood: What do posture signals and history say?
- Compensating controls: Tokenization, least-privilege access, network segmentation, escrow, business continuity.
Operationalizing TPRM 2.0
- Bucket vendors by criticality (tier 1–3) on impact first, then refine with likelihood.
- Automate external scans for top vendors; review quarterly for lower tiers.
- Instrument critical integrations: log calls, origins, volumes; alert on drift.
- Tie contract to runtime: When data types or volumes change, trigger a re-review.
- Enforce remediation SLAs: Pre-agreed timelines for patching, MFA, key rotation.
30 / 60 / 90-day plan
- Day 0–30: Inventory vendors; assign impact tiers; align on scoring rubric.
- Day 31–60: Add external signals for top 20 vendors; enable basic API telemetry on crown-jewel systems.
- Day 61–90: Link contract clauses to monitoring; pilot remediation SLAs on two vendors.
Metrics
- % of tier-1 vendors with runtime telemetry and quarterly posture reviews.
- Average remediation time on vendor exceptions.
- % of integrations with least-privilege credentials.
Pitfalls
- One-and-done diligence: Treating onboarding as the finish line.
- Shadow integrations: Untracked scripts and connectors.
- No consequence model: Findings without contractual leverage.
Outcome
A defensible, data-backed view of vendor risk that improves resilience and negotiation leverage.