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Streamlining Vendor IT Security and Risk Assessments
Streamlining Vendor IT Security and Risk Assessments

Streamlining Vendor IT Security and Risk Assessments

Release Date: 12/09/2018

Cloud computing has rapidly gained traction as a significant and even default IT system for many different organizations. In such a dynamic environment, cybersecurity is paramount—especially when third parties that provide cloud-based services to companies are involved. However, developing a comprehensive IT risk management program that involves third-party service providers often eludes many organizations, consuming a lot of time and cost while resulting in a limited understanding of a vendor’s risk profile.

In this paper, the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA) and the National Technology Security Coalition (NTSC) advocate for a new approach to how organizations manage risks, achieve assurance, and enable trust in the cloud. We encourage all stakeholders to increase their level of collaboration while utilizing existing standards and open tools. Through this document, we make it clear that the future of cybersecurity, the future of cloud security, and the resilience of our economy, is largely in the hands of the consumers of cloud services.

Key Takeaways:
  • How new technologies are significantly changing the cloud
  • The ways in which the cloud is shifting information security best practices
  • The state of IT regulatory environments related to cloud computing
  • The unique challenges that cloud computing poses to vendor management
  • The CSA resources you can use to create consistency, greater accountability, and security within the cloud ecosystem, such as the STAR Program, CCM, and CAIQCloud provider vetting best practices
  • Tips for rolling out cloud provider vetting programs and improving existing programs
  • Advanced program tools and insights that can help you get more out of your cloud provider vetting and assessments, such as our STAR cloud assurance certification
Who It’s For: CISOs, those looking for guidance on information technology regulation, and other parties interested in IT security assessment
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Acknowledgements

John Yeoh
John Yeoh
Global Vice President of Research, CSA

John Yeoh

Global Vice President of Research, CSA

With over 15 years of experience in research and technology, John excels at executive-level leadership, relationship management, and strategy development. He is a published author, technologist, and researcher with areas of expertise in cybersecurity, cloud computing, information security, and next generation technology (IoT, Big Data, SecaaS, Quantum). John specializes in risk management, third party assessment, GRC, data protection, incid...

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Hillary Baron
Hillary Baron
Senior Technical Director - Research, CSA

Hillary Baron

Senior Technical Director - Research, CSA

This person does not have a biography listed with CSA.

Luciano (J.R.) Santos
Luciano (J.R.) Santos
Chief Customer Officer, CSA

Luciano (J.R.) Santos

Chief Customer Officer, CSA

J.R. Santos serves as the Chief Customer Officer for the Cloud Security Alliance. In this role, J.R. serves as a CSA Member advocate, partnering with leaders across all business units to transform the member experience and ensure that members are the center of every business decision. J.R. leads the Experience Services organization that includes the CSA Membership and Sales team, who work collaboratively to promote a consistent experience f...

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Frank Guanco
Frank Guanco
Research Program Manager, CSA

Frank Guanco

Research Program Manager, CSA

This person does not have a biography listed with CSA.

Sean Heide
Sean Heide
Technical Research Director, CSA

Sean Heide

Technical Research Director, CSA

This person does not have a biography listed with CSA.

​Aaron Guzman
​Aaron Guzman

​Aaron Guzman

Aaron is a passionate information security professional specializing in IoT, embedded, and automotive security. He is co-author of the “IoT Penetration Testing Cookbook” and a technical editor for the "Practical Internet of Things Security” Packt Publishing books. Aaron is co-chair of CSA’s IoT working group as well as a leader for OWASP’s IoT and Embedded Application Security projects; providing practical guidance to address the most commo...

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Jim Reavis
Jim Reavis
Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, CSA

Jim Reavis

Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, CSA

For many years, Jim Reavis has worked in the information security industry as an entrepreneur, writer, speaker, technologist and business strategist. Jim’s innovative thinking about emerging security trends have been published and presented widely throughout the industry and have influenced many. Jim is helping shape the future of information security and related technology industries as co-founder, CEO and driving force of the Cloud Secur...

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Pete Chronis Headshot Missing
Pete Chronis

Pete Chronis

This person does not have a biography listed with CSA.

Patrick Gaul Headshot Missing
Patrick Gaul

Patrick Gaul

This person does not have a biography listed with CSA.

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