Top Frameworks for Third-Party Risk in Healthcare
Post Summary
Managing third-party risks in healthcare is critical for protecting patient data and ensuring uninterrupted care. With external vendors handling sensitive information and critical systems, breaches can have severe consequences. For example, the 2024 Change Healthcare breach exposed data for 100 million individuals, disrupting healthcare services. In 2023, 74% of healthcare cybersecurity issues were tied to third-party vendors, with the average cost of a breach reaching $9.77 million in 2024.
To address these challenges, several frameworks and tools are widely used:
- NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF): Focuses on five key functions (Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, Recover) and emphasizes supply chain security.
- ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002: Offers a structured approach to information security management, aligning with HIPAA safeguards.
- Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP): Healthcare-specific guidelines targeting ransomware, phishing, and medical device vulnerabilities.
- HITRUST CSF: Combines over 40 security standards into one framework, widely adopted for HIPAA compliance.
- Vendor Risk Management Maturity Model (VRMMM): Evaluates vendor risk management maturity across eight areas, emphasizing continuous improvement.
- Censinet RiskOps™ Platform: A healthcare-specific tool offering real-time monitoring, automation, and streamlined vendor assessments.
Each framework and tool varies in focus, regulatory alignment, and features, making it essential to choose the right one based on your organization's needs. Below is a quick comparison:
| Framework/Tool | Regulatory Alignment | Monitoring Style | Healthcare Focus | Automation Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIST CSF | Strong HIPAA alignment | Periodic/Manual | General cybersecurity | Limited |
| ISO/IEC 27001 | HIPAA and GDPR alignment | Annual cycles | Not healthcare-specific | Some |
| HICP | HIPAA-focused | Quarterly assessments | Designed for healthcare | Basic |
| HITRUST CSF | HIPAA, HITECH compliance | Continuous | Tailored for healthcare | Moderate |
| VRMMM | General compliance | Maturity-based reviews | Industry-neutral | Limited |
| Censinet RiskOps™ | Comprehensive alignment | Real-time | Healthcare-specific | Advanced |
Choosing the right framework or tool ensures better vendor oversight, stronger security, and improved compliance. Platforms like Censinet RiskOps™ stand out for their real-time monitoring and automation, making them well-suited for modern healthcare challenges.
Third-Party Risk Management Fundamentals for Healthcare Webinar
1. NIST Cybersecurity Framework
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Cybersecurity Framework has become a go-to resource for tackling third-party risks in healthcare. Initially designed to help critical infrastructure sectors manage cybersecurity risks, it’s now widely used in healthcare for its adaptability to various cybersecurity challenges.
At its core, the framework revolves around five key functions: Identify, Protect, Detect, Respond, and Recover. These pillars provide a clear, structured approach to managing vendor relationships and supply chain risks. What makes it so effective is its ability to be tailored to specific organizational needs while still adhering to industry standards.
Consider this: the average healthcare organization works with over 1,300 vendors connected to its IT systems [1]. Even more concerning, 98% of these organizations are linked to at least one vendor that has experienced a breach [1]. These numbers highlight why a systematic approach like the NIST framework is critical for managing third-party risks.
The latest update, NIST CSF 2.0, places a stronger emphasis on supply chain security. It offers detailed guidance on how to handle third-party risks. According to NIST:
"the primary objective […] is to extend appropriate first-party cybersecurity risk management considerations to third parties, supply chains, and products and services an organization acquires, based on supplier criticality and risk assessment" [1].
This update bridges the gap between managing cybersecurity risks and addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, while also aligning with existing regulations.
Regulatory Alignment
One of the strengths of the NIST framework is how well it aligns with HIPAA requirements, especially the Security Rule’s focus on administrative, physical, and technical safeguards. Healthcare organizations can map NIST’s five functions directly to HIPAA compliance, creating an integrated approach that meets both regulatory and operational security demands.
By adopting NIST CSF 2.0, healthcare providers can standardize their third-party assessments and questionnaires. This ensures vendor evaluations are consistent and based on established standards, reducing the risk of overlooking critical security issues.
Support for Continuous Monitoring
The framework’s Detect function underscores the importance of ongoing monitoring in managing third-party risks. Instead of relying solely on annual assessments, healthcare organizations can leverage continuous monitoring tools to keep tabs on vendor security in real time.
NIST CSF 2.0 encourages organizations to implement regular vendor assessments and continuous monitoring practices. This proactive approach helps identify potential issues early, preventing them from escalating into major breaches or disruptions.
Tailored for Healthcare
Although NIST wasn’t created specifically for healthcare, its flexible structure makes it highly applicable for safeguarding patient data and PHI. Many healthcare organizations using the framework report reduced insurance liability [1], indicating that insurers see its value in mitigating risks.
The framework also tackles healthcare-specific challenges by offering guidance on evaluating vendors that handle sensitive patient data. With 60% of healthcare organizations acknowledging the need to improve their vendor risk management [1], the NIST framework provides a clear roadmap. It includes steps for vendor onboarding, assigning responsibilities, and conducting pre-contract security checks - key measures for maintaining compliance and strengthening overall security.
2. ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002
When it comes to managing third-party risks in healthcare, ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002 serve as a robust framework for information security management. ISO/IEC 27001 outlines the structure for an Information Security Management System (ISMS), while ISO/IEC 27002 provides detailed guidance on implementing security controls and best practices.
These standards are designed to systematically safeguard sensitive information, including patient data. ISO/IEC 27001 focuses on establishing, maintaining, and improving an ISMS - essential for navigating the complex vendor relationships common in healthcare environments [2].
The importance of these standards becomes clear when considering the numbers. According to the HHS Office for Civil Rights, there were 64,180 reported data breaches affecting over 37.5 million individuals recently [2]. This underscores just how challenging it is to protect sensitive data across the vast healthcare ecosystem.
Regulatory Alignment
Achieving ISO/IEC 27001 certification signals a strong alignment with HIPAA compliance, as nearly 70 controls in ISO/IEC 27002 map directly to HIPAA safeguards [4].
Both frameworks emphasize regular risk assessments to identify and address potential threats to sensitive information [3]. They also advocate for comprehensive security policies, ensuring all personnel are aware of their roles in protecting data. Additionally, these standards recommend training programs to educate staff on privacy and security best practices [3].
For healthcare organizations juggling multiple compliance requirements - such as HIPAA, PCI-DSS, or GLBA - adopting ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002 can streamline and centralize compliance efforts [4]. Moreover, the ISO/IEC 27701 extension offers specific guidance for managing privacy information, addressing the critical privacy concerns inherent in healthcare operations [2]. This structured framework is particularly useful for maintaining ongoing oversight, a topic explored further below.
Support for Continuous Monitoring
ISO/IEC 27002 provides actionable best practices for essential cybersecurity areas like access control, cryptography, human resource security, and incident response [8]. The 2022 update to ISO 27001, especially through Annex A Control 8.16, highlights the importance of proactive and reactive monitoring of IT and security operations. This helps organizations prevent incidents, detect anomalies, and ensure regulatory compliance [5].
ISO/IEC 27001 requires organizations to document significant events and conduct regular reviews, enabling early detection of issues and swift corrective action [7]. For healthcare organizations managing numerous vendors, this approach offers a structured way to spot potential security risks early.
Annex A also includes specific controls for supplier relationships, making ISO 27001 highly relevant for managing third-party risks [5].
Automation and Scalability of Risk Assessments
Building on the foundation of continuous monitoring, ISO standards also support scalable risk assessment practices. One of the strengths of the ISO framework is its ability to adapt to organizations of varying sizes and complexities. ISO 27001 includes 114 controls, with roughly 40 aligning with HIPAA [6]. This structured approach can be automated and scaled as healthcare organizations grow.
The risk-based methodology of ISO standards allows for a systematic approach to identifying and managing risks. It offers flexibility, making it adaptable to the unique needs and contexts of different organizations [3]. Healthcare providers can use this framework to standardize vendor assessments while addressing the distinct risks tied to specific healthcare services and data handling requirements. This scalable approach not only strengthens vendor relationships but also enhances the overall cybersecurity posture within the healthcare sector.
3. Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP)
HICP provides a healthcare-specific approach to tackling vendor-related cyber threats, complementing broader frameworks like NIST and ISO.
The Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) framework is tailored to meet the cybersecurity needs of healthcare organizations. Unlike generic standards, HICP delivers voluntary guidelines designed to address the unique vulnerabilities of the healthcare sector while supporting existing regulatory frameworks.
HICP zeroes in on the top five cyber threats plaguing healthcare: ransomware, phishing, insider threats, medical device vulnerabilities, and data breaches [9]. These focused priorities highlight the necessity of a specialized framework like HICP. The urgency is underscored by recent data: between 2018 and 2022, the Office for Civil Rights reported a staggering 93% rise in large data breaches and a 287% surge in ransomware-related incidents [13].
A Framework Designed for Healthcare
HICP stands out because of its healthcare-specific focus. It addresses challenges that are unique to the industry, such as securing network-connected medical devices - a critical area where only 48% of organizations currently have adequate coverage [10]. Among those that have adopted HICP practices, 86% have implemented email protection systems, and 83% have established cybersecurity oversight and governance [10].
Bridging Regulatory Gaps
HICP serves as a bridge between regulatory compliance and actionable cybersecurity strategies. While HIPAA mandates the protection of patient health information, HICP goes further by offering detailed practices to tackle cyber threats that HIPAA does not explicitly address [9]. Its voluntary nature allows organizations to surpass basic compliance, demonstrating a proactive commitment to cybersecurity while reducing regulatory risks [9]. Additionally, the HHS Cybersecurity Performance Goals provide a foundation for formalizing HICP's controls and strategies [13].
Healthcare organizations can integrate HICP into their existing HIPAA compliance efforts. Starting with HIPAA risk assessments, they can apply HICP's targeted recommendations to address specific threats [9]. This alignment also supports better vendor oversight, ensuring that third-party partners adhere to robust cybersecurity practices.
Emphasis on Continuous Monitoring
HICP stresses the importance of regular audits and continuous monitoring to maintain a secure healthcare environment [12]. For organizations working with multiple vendors, the framework offers guidance on evaluating vendor security before contracts are signed and ensuring compliance with best practices throughout the partnership [12]. It also encourages the use of AI-driven platforms and automated tools to simplify risk management. Centralized dashboards, for example, can automate assessments and provide real-time insights into vendor risks [11]. This focus on automation and real-time monitoring demonstrates HICP's practical approach to building scalable and effective cybersecurity defenses in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape.
4. HITRUST CSF
HITRUST CSF brings together over 40 security standards into one streamlined framework, making compliance and risk management in healthcare more efficient. It works alongside other frameworks by offering a unified, regulation-focused approach to managing third-party risks.
Similar to NIST and ISO frameworks, HITRUST CSF provides a structured path to handle third-party risks, specifically tailored for the healthcare industry.
Regulatory Alignment
HITRUST CSF builds on the requirements of HIPAA and the HITECH Act by integrating critical security and privacy controls for healthcare organizations [14]. It provides a certifiable framework that includes specific controls designed to meet HIPAA compliance standards [20]. The Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has even recognized HITRUST certification as additional evidence of HIPAA compliance [16]. Today, more than 80% of U.S. hospitals and 85% of health insurers rely on HITRUST to support their HIPAA compliance efforts [15], creating a standardized approach for assessing vendor security across the healthcare industry.
Tailored for Healthcare
Although HITRUST CSF was initially created for healthcare, its risk-focused approach goes beyond HIPAA's basic requirements to protect sensitive health data across the entire supply chain [19]. This framework allows healthcare organizations to continually improve their security practices across their network of vendors. Its success is evident in the fact that 99.41% of HITRUST-certified environments avoided data breaches in 2024 [19].
Continuous Monitoring for Better Security
HITRUST CSF doesn’t just focus on meeting compliance requirements - it also ensures ongoing oversight of vendor security measures. Through its r2 certification, HITRUST mandates continuous monitoring and periodic evaluations to address new and evolving threats [19]. This proactive approach ensures that high security standards are maintained throughout the lifecycle of vendor relationships, moving beyond the traditional reliance on periodic audits.
Automating and Scaling Risk Assessments
To meet the demands of modern risk management, HITRUST CSF incorporates automation and AI into its workflows. This helps tackle time-consuming tasks like manual questionnaire reviews and inconsistent security assessments [19]. With assessment types like e1, i1, and r2, the framework offers options tailored to organizations at different stages of maturity [17]. Additionally, its MyCSF tool allows organizations to perform customized internal assessments as part of the certification process [18]. Automated tools like risk scoring and questionnaires accelerate vendor onboarding while maintaining thorough security evaluations [19].
For instance, UPMC adopted HITRUST in 2009 to standardize vendor evaluations and simplify risk management. John Houston, Vice President of Information Security at UPMC, shared:
"HITRUST certification provides a consistent standard that allows quick and confident evaluation of vendor security. This uniformity simplifies comparing vendor security and compliance levels." [19]
This example shows how HITRUST CSF not only strengthens security but also improves operational efficiency, making it an essential tool for large and complex healthcare organizations.
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5. Vendor Risk Management Maturity Model (VRMMM)
The Vendor Risk Management Maturity Model (VRMMM), developed by Shared Assessments, provides healthcare organizations with a structured way to evaluate and strengthen their third-party risk management programs. Unlike many other frameworks that focus heavily on technical controls, VRMMM takes a broader approach, assessing vendor risk management maturity across eight distinct areas. This framework is particularly relevant given that 62% of system compromises originate from the supply chain [22]. By emphasizing continuous evaluation and improvement, VRMMM integrates third-party risk management into a comprehensive healthcare security strategy.
Regulatory Alignment
VRMMM aligns closely with regulatory requirements, particularly the HIPAA Omnibus Rule, which mandates robust vendor oversight. This framework goes beyond simple compliance checklists, offering healthcare organizations a detailed, structured approach to managing third-party risks [21][22].
The model’s focus on governance and contract management is especially important for meeting HIPAA’s business associate requirements. By addressing these areas, healthcare organizations can demonstrate due diligence in safeguarding patient health information throughout their vendor relationships.
A Focus on Healthcare-Specific Challenges
The healthcare industry faces unique challenges when it comes to third-party risks, and VRMMM is designed to address these head-on. For example, in 2022, data breaches impacted 50 million Americans, with an average cost of $10.1 million per incident [22]. Additionally, 70% of healthcare breaches involved providers, 12% involved health plans, and 18% involved business associates [22].
VRMMM’s eight-category framework tackles these challenges by focusing on areas critical to healthcare, such as Program Governance, Policies and Standards, Contract Development and Management, Vendor Risk Assessment Process, Skills and Expertise, Information Sharing, Tools and Analysis, and Monitoring and Review [23]. This comprehensive approach helps organizations manage the complex vendor relationships that are central to modern healthcare operations.
Emphasis on Continuous Monitoring
The VRMMM model includes maturity levels ranging from Level 0 (non-existent) to Level 5 (continuous improvement) [21]. This structure embeds continuous monitoring into the vendor risk management lifecycle, allowing organizations to track progress, pinpoint areas for improvement, and share updates with stakeholders [23].
By prioritizing "Monitoring and Review" as one of its core categories, VRMMM ensures that oversight becomes an integral part of an organization’s risk management culture, rather than an afterthought.
Balancing Automation and Scalability
Scalability is a major concern for many organizations, and VRMMM addresses this by helping them adjust their program structures based on factors like the type of outsourced services, organizational size, industry, and risk tolerance [23]. The framework evaluates over 250 program elements [22], enabling healthcare organizations to focus on the components that deliver the most value.
Organizations can choose to conduct self-assessments or hire professionals for independent evaluations. Professional assessments typically range from $20,000 to $25,000 for core third-party risk management (TPRM) program reviews. For those seeking corporate licensing, the cost is $1,500 per year or $2,850 for two years [21][23]. These options make the framework accessible to organizations of various sizes, helping them adopt technology-driven solutions to streamline vendor risk management.
6. Censinet RiskOps™ Platform
Censinet RiskOps™ is a cloud-based platform specifically designed to manage third-party risks in healthcare. From medical device vendors to cloud services, it handles a vast network of relationships, currently overseeing over 35,000 vendors and products as of 2024. This scale highlights its widespread use and impact on healthcare risk management.
Industry Focus: Healthcare-Specific Design
Censinet RiskOps™ is tailored for healthcare, offering pre-configured templates and workflows that address the unique challenges of the industry. It focuses on protecting patient data, PHI (Protected Health Information), clinical applications, medical devices, and supply chains.
In 2023, Mass General Brigham adopted Censinet RiskOps™ to manage risks across more than 2,000 vendors. The results were striking: the system cut assessment turnaround times from several weeks to under five days and reduced manual effort for risk teams by 70%. These improvements underscore how healthcare-specific features can streamline operations and enhance efficiency.
The platform also features a shared risk network, fostering real-time collaboration between healthcare organizations and vendors. By reducing redundant assessments, this approach ensures rigorous oversight while improving efficiency and safeguarding patient safety.
Regulatory Alignment
Censinet RiskOps™ is designed to align with key regulations like HIPAA and supports frameworks such as NIST, HITRUST, and ISO/IEC 27001. It uses industry-specific risk assessment questionnaires to maintain compliance.
A notable example is the Mayo Clinic's implementation in 2022, which led to a 60% reduction in administrative costs while improving compliance with HIPAA and NIST standards. This dual advantage of cost savings and regulatory adherence addresses a critical challenge for healthcare organizations striving to balance efficiency with compliance.
Automation and Scalability
One of the platform’s standout features is its ability to automate risk assessments, a crucial capability for managing the extensive vendor relationships typical in healthcare. Organizations using Censinet RiskOps™ report up to an 85% reduction in risk assessment cycle times, a 60% drop in administrative costs, and a 50-70% decrease in manual workloads.
The platform’s Censinet AITM accelerates processes further by allowing vendors to complete security questionnaires in seconds. It automatically summarizes evidence, compiles documentation, and generates risk reports, ensuring decisions remain informed while cutting down on time and effort. This automation also supports faster vendor onboarding and fewer unresolved high-risk findings, demonstrating its scalability and effectiveness.
Continuous Monitoring and Oversight
Censinet RiskOps™ integrates seamlessly with EHR and SIEM systems, providing real-time dashboards for ongoing risk visibility. This continuous monitoring approach aligns with regulatory expectations for vendor due diligence.
Acting as a centralized hub for policies, findings, and tasks, the platform ensures accountability through advanced routing and orchestration. This setup allows healthcare organizations to address risks promptly, maintaining oversight and governance across all operations, regardless of size.
Framework Comparison Table
Choosing the right third-party risk framework is crucial for addressing the specific regulatory, monitoring, focus, and automation requirements of your healthcare organization. The table below provides a summary of how various frameworks meet essential healthcare risk management needs.
| Framework | Regulatory Alignment | Continuous Monitoring | Healthcare Focus | Automation Capabilities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIST Cybersecurity Framework | Aligns well with HIPAA; supports GDPR compliance [25] | Relies on manual monitoring and periodic assessments | General cybersecurity framework with limited healthcare focus | Minimal built-in automation; third-party tools required |
| ISO/IEC 27001 and 27002 | Covers HIPAA and GDPR comprehensively [25] | Annual audits with ongoing improvement cycles | Not healthcare-specific; customization needed for healthcare | Limited automation with some audit tools available |
| Health Industry Cybersecurity Practices (HICP) | Tailored for HIPAA compliance | Recommends quarterly self-assessments | Specifically designed for patient safety | Basic automation, primarily through templates |
| HITRUST CSF | Strong HIPAA and GDPR alignment [25]; includes 60-day breach notification compliance [24] | Continuous monitoring is integral | Built for healthcare, focusing on patient data and PHI | Moderate automation through certified tools |
| Vendor Risk Management Maturity Model (VRMMM) | General compliance support; requires HIPAA-specific adjustments | Periodic reviews based on maturity levels | Industry-neutral, requiring significant healthcare adaptation | Limited automation; emphasizes process maturity |
| Censinet RiskOps™ Platform | Fully aligns with HIPAA, GDPR, NIST, HITRUST, and ISO standards | Real-time monitoring with integrated data feeds | Designed specifically for healthcare with strong vendor management features | Advanced automation for risk assessments and administrative efficiency |
The table highlights differences in regulatory alignment, healthcare focus, monitoring capabilities, and automation. Frameworks like NIST and ISO 27001 are robust for general cybersecurity but may fall short in addressing healthcare-specific challenges like patient safety, medical device vulnerabilities, and clinical application security. For healthcare organizations, frameworks tailored to the industry, such as HITRUST CSF and HICP, often provide better alignment with patient safety priorities and compliance demands.
Continuous monitoring plays a pivotal role in maintaining real-time visibility into risks. While traditional frameworks often rely on periodic assessments, these methods may not adequately address the fast-evolving threats in healthcare. Real-time monitoring is particularly crucial for managing the complex vendor ecosystems found in this sector, where a single data breach can jeopardize thousands of patient records. Platforms with advanced automation not only enhance compliance but also reduce administrative burdens, allowing organizations to focus on mitigating risks effectively.
Conclusion
Selecting the right third-party risk framework is essential for the healthcare industry. With a vast and complex vendor ecosystem [25], managing risks effectively has become more critical than ever. As Matt Christensen, Sr. Director GRC at Intermountain Health, puts it:
"Healthcare is the most complex industry... You can't just take a tool and apply it to healthcare if it wasn't built specifically for healthcare" [28].
While general frameworks like NIST and ISO 27001 offer a starting point, they often require significant adjustments to address healthcare-specific needs. On the other hand, specialized frameworks such as HITRUST CSF and HICP are better equipped to tackle challenges like patient safety, medical device vulnerabilities, and the protection of PHI. However, even these frameworks may fall short when it comes to features like real-time monitoring and automation, highlighting the need for solutions tailored to the unique demands of healthcare.
This is where advanced platforms like Censinet RiskOps™ step in. Modern risk management calls for continuous visibility, automated workflows, and real-time collaboration. Censinet RiskOps™ supports a network of over 50,000 vendors and products [28] and serves more than 100 provider and payer facilities [27]. Features like delta-based reassessments, which cut completion times to under a day on average [27], showcase how a healthcare-specific solution can deliver measurable improvements.
Real-world examples further illustrate these benefits. Tower Health has successfully reduced the number of FTEs needed for risk assessments, while Baptist Health has fostered greater collaboration across teams. These outcomes emphasize the importance of selecting solutions that go beyond compliance to improve operational efficiency and resilience.
As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and regulations become stricter, outdated processes can no longer keep up. A strong framework combined with a purpose-built technology platform is essential for safeguarding patient data and ensuring uninterrupted care delivery.
"Cybersecurity isn't just about protecting data, it's about protecting people's lives" [26].
This principle should serve as a guiding light for every healthcare organization as they navigate the complexities of third-party risk management.
FAQs
What is the best way for healthcare organizations to choose a third-party risk management framework?
Healthcare organizations can choose the most suitable third-party risk management (TPRM) framework by carefully assessing their specific compliance needs, risk tolerance, and operational goals. Begin by examining established industry standards and frameworks to ensure they align with your organization’s processes, technology infrastructure, and regulatory requirements.
Look for frameworks that provide clear, actionable steps for identifying, evaluating, and addressing risks tied to third-party vendors. Pay special attention to areas like patient data, protected health information (PHI), medical devices, and supply chain management. The framework you select should not only address your current challenges but also be flexible enough to accommodate new risks and compliance requirements as the healthcare landscape evolves.
How do healthcare-specific frameworks like HITRUST CSF differ from general frameworks like ISO/IEC 27001 in managing third-party risks?
Healthcare frameworks like HITRUST CSF are specifically crafted to meet the unique compliance and security demands of the healthcare industry. They include comprehensive controls designed to protect protected health information (PHI) and ensure adherence to regulations such as HIPAA. This makes them particularly detailed and well-suited for healthcare organizations.
On the other hand, general frameworks like ISO/IEC 27001 offer a more adaptable, industry-neutral approach to managing information security. ISO/IEC 27001 focuses on risk management and continuous improvement but doesn’t include the healthcare-specific controls that HITRUST provides. As a result, HITRUST stands out for managing third-party risks in healthcare, while ISO/IEC 27001 serves organizations looking for a broader, globally recognized security framework.
How does real-time monitoring enhance third-party risk management in healthcare compared to periodic reviews?
Real-time monitoring plays a crucial role in improving third-party risk management by offering ongoing visibility into vendor activities and security measures. For healthcare organizations, this means being able to spot and respond to potential risks as they happen, reducing the likelihood of data breaches or compliance violations.
This approach is a game-changer compared to periodic reviews, which only capture risks at specific points in time. With real-time monitoring, healthcare providers can stay ahead of evolving threats - a necessity when safeguarding sensitive patient data and adhering to strict regulatory requirements.
