Inbound Logistics | November 2024

RISKS&REWARDS [ INSIGHT ]

by Guy Ornes Third-Party Risk Management Advisor, Fusion Risk Management gornes@fusionrm.com | 816-718-7732

Securing the Core Through Third-Party Risk Management

In today’s intricate global business landscape, robust third-party risk management (TPRM) and supply chain oversight frameworks are indispensable for maintaining operational integrity, adequate security, and regulatory compliance.

areas while ensuring rigorous risk management practices. Forming strategic partnerships with data intelligence firms also provides a constant stream of up-to-date information on financial, cybersecurity, and environmental, social, and governance risks. These partnerships enable organizations to anticipate and mitigate risks dynamically. A HOLISTIC APPROACH Fostering a culture of risk awareness, collaboration, and successful integration of TPRM and supply chain oversight frameworks requires an organizational culture that prioritizes risk awareness and collaboration across teams and departments. Regular training and awareness programs can help employees understand the importance of risk management and their role in maintaining operational resilience. Cross-functional collaboration between teams such as procurement, business continuity, and information security is essential to ensure cohesive and effective risk management. A practical and cohesive approach to risk management prepares organizations to manage the challenges and opportunities presented by third-party and supply chain dependencies.  n

Managing extended supply chain risks and recognizing and managing risks associated with “fourth-party” suppliers— those beyond direct vendors—is also important. Modern risk management tools extend oversight to these extended supply chains and leverage sophisticated algorithms and deep analytics to assess risk impact and interdependencies. This capability ensures that organizations can effectively handle the complexities of extended supply chains, safeguard security and compliance standards, and maintain comprehensive oversight, thus enabling them to reduce and even prevent disruptions. Leveraging strategic partnerships for outsourcing TPRM functions can enhance operational efficiency and provide access to specialized expertise. External service providers can effectively manage risk assessments and continuously monitor vendors using comprehensive risk management platforms. This allows organizations to focus on how to reduce or resolve the risks that impact core business

These comprehensive programs allow organizations to mitigate risks emerging from external vendors and service providers, ensuring a holistic approach to managing risks across the entire supply chain. The complexity of integrating such programs within large-scale operations presents nuanced challenges that necessitate technology-driven solutions. Enhancing operational resilience with technological integration has become paramount, especially as organizations increasingly rely on a network of third- party relationships. Advanced risk management platforms help strengthen operational resilience postures through detailed risk assessments, continuous monitoring, and predictive risk analytics.

These platforms unify diverse organizational functions—from

procurement to compliance—to create a cohesive risk management strategy that aligns with business objectives. They also provide real-time data and analytics, which helps organizations identify potential risks and maintain agility.

26 Inbound Logistics • November 2024

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