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Know Your Connections: Identifying Third-Party Exposure [Part 2 of 6]


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Part 2 in a 6-part series exploring how to build a resilient vendor ecosystem. 


You can’t protect what you don’t know exists. And when it comes to cybersecurity, that includes your vendors, partners, and service providers.


Third-party cyber risk starts with visibility. Let’s talk about how to identify and map your third-party exposure.


Who Counts as a Third Party?

It’s more than just your cloud providers. Think:

  • SaaS platforms (CRM, HR, finance)

  • IT service providers

  • Marketing agencies & freelancers

  • Logistics & supply chain partners

  • Data processors & analytics firms

Even low-risk vendors can have indirect access to sensitive systems.


Why It’s Hard to Track

Most organizations underestimate their vendor footprint. Challenges include:

  • Shadow IT

  • Decentralized procurement

  • No visibility into 4th parties

  • Overlooked API integrations


How to Identify Third-Party Exposure

Here’s a simple framework:

  1. Create a centralized vendor inventory

  2. Categorize vendors by access & risk

  3. Map integrations and data flows

  4. Engage stakeholders across departments


Want a Free Vendor Mapping Checklist?

I’ve put together a simple checklist to help you start mapping your third-party ecosystem.📩 Drop a comment or message me and I’ll send it your way.


Let’s Talk

How confident are you in your visibility into third-party relationships?What tools or processes have helped you uncover hidden exposure?


Next up: “Trust, But Verify: How to Assess Third-Party Cyber Risk.”


 

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