They’re able to dedicate more resources to reducing supply chain, compliance and data risks – all by being able to engage effectively with third-party suppliers.
That’s the crux of what third-party risk management is - it’s making sure you have the right polices in place to respond to risk in areas that aren’t always in your control. It’s managing every relationship you have, whether it’s in the supply chain or with investors that have a stake in your company. We’ll show you how to embed it into your organization, avoid pitfalls and reap the benefits.
As your business grows, you’re likely to rely on more and more outside parties to help achieve your goals. Outsourcing third-party vendors has been a growing trend for years as more companies embrace digital transformation, instant transactions, frictionless customer experiences. These, combined with access to unprecedented levels of data, all provide new opportunities.
But with those opportunities come new challenges, including:
So, what types of risk does a third-party risk management framework help to address?
And once you consider all this, there are several advantages to building a strong third-party risk management framework. These benefits include:
An interesting case study on third-party risk management is Nordstrom. In our Financial & Bankruptcy Outlook: Retail report, we shared key data and insights about why Nordstrom is in favorable financial health. For instance, Nordstrom has had consistent revenue growth from 2019 to 2023. Plus, Creditsafe data shows that the retailer’s DBT has consistently been below the industry average since March 2023. And in the last few months, things have improved even more as its DBT dropped from 11 in July to 4 in October.
But that doesn’t mean the retailer has been without its challenges. While it’s good to see Nordstrom’s DBT has been very low, our data shows that the value of its delinquent payments (91+ days) increased for four consecutive months from May to August 2023. On top of this, Nordstrom CEO Erik B. Nordstrom shared his concerns about record-high levels of theft and a rise in credit card delinquencies during the company’s Q2 2023 earnings call. These challenges could result in higher credit losses in the second half of 2023 and into 2024.
This goes to show you that just because a business seems to be doing well in one area, that doesn’t mean things are perfect. Risks can always arise. That’s why it’s so important to have risk management protocols at every level to prevent financial losses and other problems from slowing revenue growth.
We spoke with Bill James, Enterprise Sales Director at Creditsafe, as he has extensive experience in helping companies manage their risks. He shared 10 key components for an effective third-party risk management framework.
1. Risk Identification and Categorization: Define and classify different types of risks (financial, compliance, operational, cybersecurity, ESG, geo-political, location and people) that might arise from third-party relationships. Identify potential risk sources across the entire vendor ecosystem.
2. Due Diligence and Vendor Selection: Establish criteria for vetting and selecting vendors. Conduct thorough due diligence, considering factors like financial stability, reputation, compliance history, cybersecurity posture and adherence to industry standards.
3. Contractual Agreements and Risk Allocation: Develop clear, comprehensive contracts that outline responsibilities, liabilities, performance metrics and compliance standards. Allocate risks appropriately between your business and the third party.
4. Ongoing Monitoring and Assessment: Continuously monitor vendor performance, financial stability and adherence to agreed-upon standards. Regularly reassess risks and update assessments based on changes in the vendor landscape or business needs.
5. Cybersecurity and Data Protection: Assess the vendor's security measures, data handling practices and potential vulnerabilities. Establish standards for data protection, access controls and incident response so you can be compliant with relevant regulations such as HIPAA.
6. Contingency Planning and Resilience: Develop contingency plans and strategies to address potential disruptions or failures from third-party vendors. This includes backup plans, alternative suppliers and escalation procedures.
7. Compliance and Regulatory Adherence: Make sure vendors comply with relevant regulations and industry standards. Regular audits or assessments may be necessary to confirm ongoing compliance.
8. Internal Policies and Training: Educate employees about the importance of third-party risk management. Establish clear internal policies and procedures for engaging with vendors and make sure employees understand and adhere to them.
9. Reporting and Escalation Protocols: Implement clear reporting mechanisms and escalation paths for identified risks. Make sure that appropriate stakeholders are informed promptly and there are established protocols for addressing and mitigating risks.
10. Continuous Improvement: Regularly review and refine the third-party risk management framework based on feedback, emerging risks, industry changes, and lessons learned from incidents or audits.
As Bill James explains, “By integrating these elements into a cohesive third-party risk management framework, you can better manage and mitigate the risks associated with your relationships with third-party vendors. This will enhance your overall operational resilience and protect your interests.”
Bill also has a lot of helpful tips to share about third-party risk management and the importance of credit risk.“In the context of B2B third-party risk management, credit scores often play a significant role in assessing the financial stability and reliability of these external entities.
Here's how credit scores and risk relate in this context:
In essence, credit scores serve as one of the tools to assess financial risk in B2B relationships, enabling businesses to make informed decisions about engaging with external parties and to take appropriate steps to mitigate potential risks. But it’s important to remember that credit scores are just one aspect of the broader third-party risk management process, which involves a comprehensive evaluation of various risk factors associated with these partnerships.”