Navigating Third-Party Risk: How True Digital's Consortium Empowers Banks when Vendors Fail

By
Patrick Sells
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In today's interconnected financial landscape, banks face increasing challenges in managing third-party risk. The recent downtime experienced by Crowdstrike, a major cybersecurity vendor, highlights the critical need for efficient risk management and collaborative solutions. At True Digital, we're at the forefront of addressing these challenges through our innovative data consortium.

The Crowdstrike incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities banks face when relying on external vendors. In this case, at least 17 banks within our consortium were affected, underscoring the widespread impact of such events. But what sets True Digital apart is our unique ability to turn these challenges into opportunities for collaboration and swift action.

Our platform enables member banks to quickly identify peers who utilize the same vendors. In the Crowdstrike scenario, affected banks could immediately connect with others facing similar challenges, facilitating rapid information sharing and collaborative problem-solving. This capability is invaluable in mitigating the ramifications of vendor-related issues, from data breaches to service disruptions.

Recent regulatory guidance has emphasized the importance of robust third-party risk management for banks. Regulators expect financial institutions to have comprehensive strategies for identifying, assessing, and managing risks associated with third-party relationships. True Digital's consortium approach aligns perfectly with these expectations, providing a powerful tool for banks to enhance their risk management practices.

By leveraging our platform, banks can:

  1. Quickly identify other institutions using the same vendors
  2. Share real-time information during critical incidents
  3. Collaborate on mitigation strategies and best practices
  4. Stay informed about potential risks across their vendor ecosystem

The power of our consortium lies in its collective intelligence. When one bank identifies a risk or experiences an issue with a vendor, all member institutions benefit from that knowledge. This proactive approach to risk management can significantly reduce response times and minimize potential damages.

Moreover, True Digital's solution goes beyond just third party risk. It serves as a continuous monitoring and discovery tool, allowing banks to stay ahead of potential issues and make informed decisions about their third-party relationships and source peer-to-peer assistance. 

In an era where third-party risk management is more critical than ever, True Digital stands out as a unique and invaluable partner for financial institutions. By fostering collaboration and leveraging collective insights, we're not just helping banks manage risk – we're transforming how the industry approaches third-party relationships altogether.

As the financial sector continues to evolve, True Digital remains committed to innovation and excellence in third-party risk management. Together, we're building a more resilient and collaborative banking ecosystem, one that's better equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow.