Stop depending on heroics and start operationalizing third-party risk

Third-party risk management (evaluating security and compliance of outside vendors your organization wants to use) often fails because security teams get involved too late in the purchasing process, after business, operations, and finance have already built momentum toward a decision. The text argues that security must be brought in early, working with legal and procurement teams before contracts are signed, and that organizations need a formal, repeatable assessment process with clear timelines so vendors can be properly evaluated for data access, security controls, and compliance requirements.