Over the last year, an information security manager has performed risk assessments on multiple third-party vendors.
Which of the following criteria would be MOST helpful in determining the associated level of risk applied to each vendor?
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A. B. C. D.C.
The information security manager is performing risk assessments on multiple third-party vendors, which indicates that the vendors have access to the organization's sensitive data and systems. To determine the associated level of risk applied to each vendor, the security manager needs to consider various criteria that can help identify and prioritize the risks associated with each vendor.
Out of the options given, the most helpful criterion in determining the associated level of risk applied to each vendor would be the criticality of the service to the organization. The criticality of a service refers to its importance in supporting the organization's business objectives and functions. If a vendor provides a critical service that is essential to the organization's operations, any disruption or breach of that service could have a severe impact on the organization's ability to function effectively. Therefore, the risks associated with such vendors would be higher, and additional measures may be needed to mitigate those risks.
While compensating controls, breaches associated with each vendor, and compliance requirements associated with the regulation are all relevant criteria for assessing the risks associated with third-party vendors, they may not be the most helpful in determining the level of risk applied to each vendor.
Compensating controls are alternative measures that can be put in place to mitigate risks. While the presence of compensating controls can reduce the overall risk, it does not necessarily provide a clear indication of the level of risk associated with the vendor.
Corresponding breaches associated with each vendor can provide insights into the vendor's security posture, but this criterion may not be helpful in determining the level of risk applied to each vendor, as the nature and severity of each breach may vary significantly.
Compliance requirements associated with the regulation are important, but they may not always reflect the specific risks associated with each vendor. Compliance with regulations may be necessary, but it does not necessarily provide a complete picture of the level of risk associated with the vendor.
Therefore, while all the criteria may be relevant, the criticality of the service to the organization is the most helpful in determining the associated level of risk applied to each vendor.