ID.SC-1: Cyber Supply Chain Risk Management Processes
Supply chain vulnerabilities represent a critical attack vector for modern organizations. ID.SC-1 requires you to formally identify, establish, assess, and manage cyber risks across your entire supplier network. This control ensures that supply chain security isn't an afterthought—it's a structured, stakeholder-aligned process.
What this means
This control requires organizations to develop documented, repeatable processes for managing cybersecurity risks introduced by external suppliers, vendors, and partners. Rather than treating supply chain security reactively, you must proactively identify which third parties pose cyber risks, establish clear security requirements, regularly assess their compliance, and maintain formal agreements that enforce those standards. All relevant stakeholders—from procurement to security to business units—must understand and support these processes.
How to comply
- 1.Map your entire supply chain to identify vendors, contractors, and third parties with access to systems or data
- 2.Define cybersecurity requirements specific to each vendor's role and data access level
- 3.Develop a vendor assessment process (questionnaires, audits, certifications) to evaluate initial and ongoing compliance
- 4.Document supply chain risk management policies and procedures in a centralized process framework
- 5.Establish and enforce contractual security agreements with all critical suppliers
- 6.Assign clear ownership and accountability for supply chain risk management across departments
- 7.Conduct regular reviews and updates to supply chain processes as vendors and business relationships change
- 8.Integrate supply chain risk findings into your overall enterprise risk management program
Evidence auditors look for
- Documented supply chain risk management policy and procedures
- Vendor inventory spreadsheet or database with cybersecurity classifications
- Completed vendor security assessment questionnaires and risk ratings
- Contracts or SLAs containing cybersecurity requirements and audit rights
- Evidence of stakeholder reviews and approvals (security, procurement, legal)
- Risk assessment reports identifying high-risk vendors and mitigation plans
- Audit logs or reports showing vendor compliance monitoring activities
- Incident response plans addressing third-party compromise scenarios
Frequently asked questions
When will FAQs be available?
The FAQ for this control is currently being prepared.
GRCWatch automates vendor risk assessment workflows, centralizes security questionnaires, tracks vendor compliance timelines, and maintains a real-time third-party risk dashboard—eliminating spreadsheet sprawl and ensuring stakeholders always see current supply chain posture.
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