Monitor Service Providers
Description
Monitor service providers consistent with the enterprise’s service provider management policy. Monitoring may include periodic reassessment of service provider compliance, monitoring service provider release notes, and dark web monitoring.
Implementation Checklist
Tool Recommendations
Third-party risk management with automated vendor assessments, continuous monitoring, and risk scoring
ServiceNow · Enterprise subscription
Third-party risk management platform with vendor assessment automation, continuous monitoring, and compliance mapping
OneTrust · Enterprise subscription
Security ratings platform providing continuous monitoring of vendor cybersecurity posture with data-driven risk scoring
BitSight · Enterprise subscription
Threats & Vulnerabilities (CIS RAM)
Threat Scenarios
Provider Breach Detected Months After Occurrence
ConfidentialityA monitored service provider suffers a breach that is not discovered for months because the organization has no ongoing monitoring program to track provider security posture changes or dark web exposure.
Critical Provider Vulnerability Left Unpatched Without Enterprise Knowledge
IntegrityA key service provider delays patching a critical vulnerability in their platform, and the organization is unaware because it does not monitor provider release notes or security advisories.
Enterprise Credentials Found on Dark Web Linked to Provider Breach
ConfidentialityEnterprise user credentials appear on dark web markets following a provider compromise, but the organization has no monitoring capability to detect this exposure and trigger credential rotation.
Vulnerabilities (When Safeguard Absent)
No Ongoing Monitoring of Service Provider Security
Without continuous monitoring, the organization cannot detect changes in a provider's security posture, compliance status, or exposure to breaches between periodic assessments.
No Dark Web or Threat Intelligence Monitoring for Provider Exposure
Absence of dark web monitoring means the organization cannot detect when provider-related credentials, data, or access are being traded or exploited by threat actors.
Evidence Requirements
| Type | Evidence Item | Collection Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | Detection tool deployment evidence (dashboard screenshots, agent status) | Captured monthly |
| Technical | Sample alert/detection output demonstrating capability | Captured quarterly |
| Record | Third-party risk assessment reports and scorecards | Annually per vendor |
| Document | Vendor contracts with security requirements | Per contract cycle |
| Document | Governing policy document (current, approved, communicated) | Reviewed annually |